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A Pilgrimage around Wales – in search of significant conversation

In 2015 I spent three months as a pilgrim, travelling on foot to visit some of the holiest sites in Wales. My main objectives were four ancient places of pilgrimage- Holywell (Treffynnon), Bardsey Island (ynys Enlli), St David’s (Tyddewi) and Llantwit Major (Llanilltud Fawr), but also visiting numerous churches and other places of interest along the way. In 2018, I published a book based on this journey.

A Pilgrimage around Wales – in search of a significant conversation gives some of the history of the ancient places of pilgrimage that I visited as I walked and also reflects on the spiritual experience of being a modern-day pilgrim. The book is built around the many interesting conversations I found myself sharing with those I met as I walked.

Being on foot, and carrying quite a heavy pack for a small(ish) woman, was both liberating and constraining. What became increasingly clear during those three months was that my research prior to my walk had left me unprepared for the sheer joy of quietly discovering new places and the enormous sense of achievement that I felt each day. Often what was most overwhelming was the beauty of the ordinariness of many of my days.

The subtitle of this book is ‘In Search of a Significant Conversation’, and its contents cause us to appreciate the conversations, random or otherwise, which peppered the author’s pilgrimage around Wales. Unspoken or spoken, those conversations bring the places to life, and illuminate the faith which motivated the journey.

The Most Reverend John D E Davies, Bishop of Swansea & Brecon and the Archbishop of Wales

‘Camping here is my gift to you’ said one campsite owner to Anne on her tremendous pilgrimage, and this book is a real gift to us, with Anne’s thoughts reminding us of the vast riches we have in Wales in so many ways.

Revd Canon Ian Rees, Rector of Central Swansea

The book is available to buy from Y Lolfa.

© 2023 Anne Hayward