Day 2: Swansea to Port Talbot
Today's walk leaves central Swansea (Abertawe) across the Sail Bridge over the Tawe via the docks and along the old Tennant Canal path through marshland to Jersey Marine. Past the Amazon warehouse, there is an unavoidable noisy stretch along the A483 and over the River Neath A48 flyover to prayers and lunch in Llansawel (Briton Ferry). The afternoon walk follows the coastal route of the South Wales Coast Path, past Brunel's Dock and Tower across saltmarsh and dunes to Baglan Bay with its magnificent views over Swansea Bay. The path continues along the beach and promenade to Aberavon Sands (toilets half way) and is likely to be busy; the industrial areas and shipping at Port Talbot are visible on the horizon. Thereafter, the route heads inland up the River Afan, via back streets to St Mary's, then along a short stretch of road to the church halls of the splendid Victorian Church of St Theodore's, funded by the Talbot family for the community.
Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 2
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St Mary's Church Hall
This is what I saw whenever I opened my eyes this morning. Must be on the pilgrimage! John Chenery Original Tweet
Sam, a vicar of St Mary's, describes the windows in our departure blessing service John Chenery Original Tweet
A pilgrim prayer John Chenery Original Tweet
Leaving St Mary's John Chenery Original Tweet
over a bridge John Chenery Original Tweet
We passed the Norwegian Church John Chenery Original Tweet
Along a dismantled railway line John Chenery Original Tweet
Jersey Marine Methodist Church
Arriving at Jersey Marine Methodist Church to join their Sunday Service John Chenery Original Tweet
Tea and coffee after the service John Chenery Original Tweet
History of the church John Chenery Original Tweet
Bridge over the River Neath John Chenery Original Tweet
It's one of two bridges over the River Neath John Chenery Original Tweet
Mary the Virgin, Llansawel
Prayer stop at St Mary the Virgin, Llansawel John Chenery Original Tweet
More beverages and biscuits John Chenery Original Tweet
The vicar welcomes us John Chenery Original Tweet
Pilgrims in St Mary's. David Fletcher
Tineke tells about St Thomas Cantilupe John Chenery Original Tweet
Schooners Bar, Briton Ferry
Lunch in Schooners Bar where they don't do food so they let us eat our own food John Chenery Original Tweet
Our Lady of the Assumption, Briton Ferry
into Our Lady of the Assumption for prayers after lunch John Chenery Original Tweet
Our Lady of the Assumption: Altar with Marie in the foreground. claregamble
Stained glass window illustrating the Assumption at the rear of the same church. claregamble
alongside the estuary of the River Neath John Chenery Original Tweet
on the dunes now, looking back to Swansea John Chenery Original Tweet
A long walk across the beach, which was busy as it was an uncomfortably hot day, heading towards the Port Talbot steelworks John Chenery Original Tweet
St Mary, Aberavon
St Mary, Aberavon John Chenery Original Tweet
The vicar of St Mary Aberavon telling us about Richard Lewis' grave John Chenery Original Tweet
The grave of Welsh Trade Union Martyr Richard Lewis John Chenery Original Tweet
St Mary's in Aberavon was the third church today to give us refreshments, kindly providing a buffet and beverages. John Chenery Original Tweet
Aberavon at high tide Susan Adilz
St Theodore, Port Talbot
St Theodores where we went for Evensong John Chenery Original Tweet
Unloading the van outside St Theodores Hall in Port Talbot. We had survived the heatwave. In fact the walk today was less trying than the travelling yesterday. Forecast much cooler tomorrow thankfully. John Chenery Original Tweet
Not No.2's, rather Washing of feet James Brodie
