Day 3: Port Talbot to St Brides Major
Today is quite a long day at 18.5 miles, with a fair bit of road walking, but incorporates two key sites: Margam Abbey and Ewenny Priory. For quite a bit of the walking we are on the Wales Coast Path, which we pick up after crossing under the M4. This takes us over some gentle hills to Margam Abbey, a Cistercian foundation from 1147. The nave of the abbey church is now the parish church, and further impressive ruins are found as we pass into Margam Country Park. After passing through the park we re-join the Welsh Coast Path, which for a while follows the A48 on a good footpath. This takes us to Pyle, and we go through the village to Kenfig Hill, where we find our lunch pub. From there we follow a mixture of minor roads and paths, including a disused railway line, via a DIY prayer stop at Laleston (which dates back to at least the 12th century) to our second major site of Ewenny Priory. The Priory is a Benedictine foundation from 1142, part of which is heavily fortified. Quite a lot of the original Norman architecture remains. We then continue along paths and minor roads to St Brides Major, our stop for the night. We will be split between the village hall and the scout lodge for sleeping.
Pilgrimage Newsfeed - Day 3
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St Theodore, Port Talbot
Beautiful floral arrangement, St Theodore's Susan Adilz
St Theodore's Port Talbot where we had prayers before setting off Monday 15th August. claregamble
We receive a departure blessing John Chenery Original Tweet
Park street. Port Talbot fred.adilz
Panorama view fred.adilz
A grey morning in Port Talbot John Chenery Original Tweet
We're above the M4 (there is a blue motorway sign in the distance just to the left of Jim's head). John Chenery Original Tweet
View of the steelworks. John Chenery Original Tweet
heading downhill John Chenery Original Tweet
View ahead including the M4 and a lake but we won't be going that way as we need to cut inland to keep the distance down. John Chenery Original Tweet
St Mary, Margam Abbey
Samantha at Margam Abbey. claregamble
Two of the front markers outside the Abbey Church at Margam. claregamble
Margam Abbey John Chenery Original Tweet
This is what we are doing! John Chenery Original Tweet
Swansea-Margam-Ewenny-Llancarfan-St Fagans-Caerphilly-Newport-Usk-Abergavenny-Patrishow-Longtown-Kilpeck-Hereford all on our route! John Chenery Original Tweet
Model of Margam Abbey as originally constructed John Chenery
Tomb in Margam Abbey Susan Adilz
Margam Abbey high altar. John Chenery Original Tweet
Tea and coffee served by the church warden who had given us our talk on the Abbey John Chenery Original Tweet
Tea at Margam after fascinating talk by the warden of the abbey church fred.adilz
On our way after refreshments Susan Adilz
John and Louise at Margam Abbey Susan Adilz
Tree in front of chapter house fred.adilz
Pilgrims in front of the remains of the Chapter House of Margam Abbey John Chenery Original Tweet
Margam Castle John Chenery Original Tweet
No it isn't empty. John Chenery Original Tweet
The Royal Oak, Kenfig Hill
Leaving our lunch venue, The Royal Oak, Kenfig Hill John Chenery Original Tweet
Tricky terrain John Chenery Original Tweet
It's got really hot again as we head back under the M4 John Chenery Original Tweet
St David, Laleston
Approaching Laleston church Susan Adilz
St David, Laleston John Chenery Original Tweet
Church locked, alas John Chenery Original Tweet
Deanne decided a river wash was preferable to a shower. claregamble
St Michael, Ewenny Priory
Contemporary glass rood screen separating church and monastic areas, Ewenny Priory Susan Adilz
Talk from the parish priest in Ewenny Priory John Chenery Original Tweet
The Pilgrims at Ewenny Emma Street
The Pilgrims at Ewenny Emma Street
The Pilgrims at Ewenny Emma Street
A warm welcome from the Reverends Edwin and Emma, who would greet us multiple times over the next 24 hours as we journeyed across their benefice to St Athan. fred.adilz
Ewenny Priory John Chenery Original Tweet
The priory was fortified by the Normans to deter Welsh attacks. John Chenery Original Tweet
Home straight, evening light fred.adilz
Fine view of Somerset and the Bristol Channel fred.adilz
More Evening Light John Chenery
St Brides Major Village Hall
Boots Off! Susan Adilz
Father Tony's birthday! fred.adilz
