To further my interest in places of Celtic Christian origin, I was drawn to southern Wales and southwest England. The route would be the longest so far, hopefully on completion at St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall.

For this first part of the Celtic way, I began at Fishguard, looking out over the Irish sea, and a popular ferry port. The weather was mixed, with rain and fresh breezes blowing over from the west. I found a good veiw point by the youth hostel, see photo.

My camping stay over was at a Shire horse farm, with a field for campers. After the rainy night under canvas, I had some breakfast in the cafe area, with poster size photos of the grand horses on wall around. Next I headed further in land, towards the Brecon Beacons park. For third night of rainy camping, I arrived at the village of Talley and was supprised by a welcome sign for tea, coffee, and ice creams at the church hall. Donations given for the church and hall upkeep. A lady arrived a while later (Church Warden) and after a chat agreed to me sleeping in the hall for the night. Talley was founded in the 12th century by Lord Rhys (of South Wales) for the Premonstratensians order. The abbey ruins although small, had an impressive church tower overlooking the village church.

On the fourth day’s cycle, I passed through farms, some seemed abandoned, chapels and new housing developments. I was sad to see some chapels had a for sale sign outside. Then the clouds became darker and the terain more mountainous. I was passing through the Black Mountains and up to the Brecon Becons resting at the YHA hostel, alongside a busy main road.

On the Saturday, I headed southwards through some valleys to Port Talbot on the coast. After cycling through housing estates and the large steel industrial area, I followed the cycle route signs and got to the camping spot marked Red Rock wild camping. There was a lady at the entrance who took my details and mentioned if I didn’t want a noisy evening, to keeping away from a group of campers in one area. The weather that day was mainly warm and sunny and I had a sence of being in the working heartland of Wales.

On the Sunday and Monday, I continued firstly to Barry, made famous by the TV series “Gavin and Stacey”. The hotel there was basic, but felt very comfortable to the previous nights camping. Then to Caerphilly for fish n chips and to visit the castle. Also for some comfort on another rainy day. Thirdly to Newport, visiting the cathedral and later that day to St Tewdrics Church in the village of Mathern. Tewdric was an early Celtic king made famous for keeping the invading Saxons away, but after receiving a deadly axeblow requested the church to be built in the present day location. The day’s cycling ended in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, reflecting on the wet weather and changing landscapes that concluded the week in south Wales.