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LLŶN PENINSULA WITH THE POETRY OF R S THOMAS 9TH-16TH MAY 2025
Wednesday 28th May 2025
Sue Peachey
On a lovely sunny day seven pilgrims gathered in Criccieth for the start of a week exploring the Llŷn Peninsula in North Wales.
On our first day we caught two local buses to Morfa Nefyn and walked by one of the most scenic golf courses in the world, each hole having a view of the sea. Porth Dinllaen is a unique seaport with quite a history, having once been considered for the main ferry port for Ireland. Today it has the famous Coch Inn pub on the beach. where a welcome glass of something cold was enjoyed! We then followed the coast path around Trwyn Porth Dinllaen before heading back to catch our bus to Criccieth.
The following day was spent walking from our accommodation along part of the Wales Coast Path to a sandy beach and included a visit to Llanystumdwy, the childhood home of former UK Prime Minister Lloyd George. We also saw his rather grand burial site there, beside the River Dwyfor. We then returned to Criccieth and had some free time to explore the town.
Our free day on the Monday was spent in varying ways, not least by some of us travelling on the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway, which was very enjoyable.
Tuesday saw us travelling to Bardsey Island, as luckily the weather conditions were favourable. After worshipping together we went our separate ways to explore the island and I know the experience will remain with us always. We were lucky enough to see a gathering of seals on a rock very close to the shore and on our journey back the boat took us close to an amazing array of seabirds on the cliffs and in the water. This was a truly inspirational visit and we had the most glorious sunshine. It was a perfect day!
On Wednesday we were joined by Susan Fogarty for a walk from Sarn Y Plas to St Maelryhs Church in Aberdaron where R S Thomas lived. Susan is a Director of the RS Thomas & ME Eldridge Society and is very knowledgeable about R S Thomas and his works. On the way we were lucky enough to visit the house where he and his wife, Mildred Elsie Eldridge, lived. As R S was a tall man, we wondered how many times he bumped his head on the low ceilings!
On our last day together we set off from Abersoch along the beautiful sandy beach and walked a circuit of an impressive rocky headland to a view above Llanbedrog. We then returned via the same beach, where some of us cooled off a little by paddling in the sea before visiting a café for refreshments.
The sun shone for the whole week and the poetry of R S Thomas was an integral part of our memorable time together as pilgrims.