Day 15: Pantasaph to Holywell

This is a gentle morning's walk from Pantasaph into our pilgrimage destination, St Winefride's Well on the outskirts of Holywell. We have a short climb on leaving the friary but soon find ourselves walking through fields with beautiful views of the Dee estuary. We make a stop at the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey which has a visitor centre and café before approaching Holywell from the north-east through the town's heritage park.

Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 15

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Statue of St. Padre Pio in our accommodation Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Stuart relaxing before back marking. Edward Stork

Pilgrim Hall Pantasaph Friary John Chenery Original Tweet

St David's Church at Pantasaph, where we had our service yesterday evening. John Chenery Original Tweet

Today's backmarkers John Chenery Original Tweet

Looking back to those Clwydian Hills which we crossed yesterday. John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

Looking across to the Wirral peninsula and beyond that the Lancashire coast where we walked on the 2014 pilgrimage John Chenery

The end of the Wirral peninsula and an orange arrow that doesn't show up very well John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

panoramic view of the Dee Estuary Danny Thomas Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

Tree. John Chenery Original Tweet

Reading about the industrial heritage of what is now called the Greenfield Valley. Copper mining was big here. John Chenery

The ruins of Basingwerk Abbey. John Chenery Original Tweet

Display about the North Wales Pilgrims Way which starts here. We have seen much of this. John Chenery Original Tweet

Some pilgrims have found the cafe. John Chenery Original Tweet

Francis gives final prayer stop at Basingwerk Abbey. Adilz, Fred (KWLWG)

Prayer stop. Francis talks about Yew Trees. John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

final prayer stop of the pilgrimage Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Jim has a feather or two in his hat Bernie Magee

"Let's all walk as one group for the final mile." Have you tried herding cats? John Chenery Original Tweet

We've arrived at St Winefride's Well in Holywell. John Chenery Original Tweet

Viewing the exhibition. John Chenery Original Tweet

Maurice takes a dip in the holy water. John Chenery Original Tweet

Maurice dipping in the well Danny Thomas Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

"The Lourdes of Wales" St. Winefride's Well Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Jim contemplating Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Colin healing his legs Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Stained glass of St Winefride and he uncle St Beuno - see the scar in her neck where he had reattached her severed head John Chenery

Gathered for the daily public service at the holy well itself, which feeds the bathing pool. John Chenery Original Tweet

The Well Danny Thomas Original Tweet

above the well Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Group photo by the pool John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

Leaving the shrine for now (some of us will be back in the afternoon) John Chenery Original Tweet

Looking back to the tower of St James' Church above the shrine. John Chenery Original Tweet

Processing to the Catholic Church John Chenery Original Tweet

into the church John Chenery Original Tweet

St Winefride's RC Church, Holywell: the venue for our arrival service. John Chenery Original Tweet

gathering for final service Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Fr. David Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Leader Francis Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Our arrival service. Here Chris prays for the places visited on the 2 days led by the St Ann's Wanderers John Chenery

Playing the final hymn at the end of the arrival service John Chenery

Tonight we are staying in St Peter's Church, Holywell John Chenery

boots off! Danny Thomas Original Tweet

floral Danny Thomas Original Tweet

a windmill sans vanes in front of St. Peter's church Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Unloading the van. John Chenery Original Tweet

The pilgrims are claiming their bedspaces but a band is using the hall to practise. "Just want to dance the night away." John Chenery

Now it's Status Quo's Caroline John Chenery Original Tweet

local band rehearsing at our accommodation at St. Peter's church Danny Thomas Original Tweet

walking another 500 miles! Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Drying off after bathing in St Winifride's well Susie Duffy

Susan takes to the water Susie Duffy

In St James' Church, the one with the tower immediately above the well. John Chenery Original Tweet

It's cold Susie Duffy

John C chilling out Susie Duffy

It's Colin's third time Susie Duffy

Janet, Catherine and Marie catching the last rays of the sun Bernie Magee

Queuing for main course at the Celebration Meal. John Chenery Original Tweet

Between courses. John Chenery Original Tweet

Super chef Alison serving pudding to Howard and Maurice. John Chenery Original Tweet

Bernie deciding on what cheese Edward Stork

Coordinator Francis with 3 bottles that the pilgrims presented him with. John Chenery Original Tweet

Well deserved I am sure xx Lesley Brennan Original Tweet

celebrating the end of the pilgrimage Danny Thomas Original Tweet

Sing-song John Chenery Original Tweet

John Chenery Original Tweet

Singalong Edward Stork