The Abbey

"He is closer now and the search is on,
Reading from a map in the mind,
Yes there's the ragged hill,
And there's the boat on the river."

Don't Pay The Ferryman : Chris de Burgh

Quiet start to the day after our late night return from Pembrokeshire last night. K busy getting washing done for K2 return to London tomorrow. Give K2 and R a lift in to town to visit the bank - I also have to pay my interim tax bill too! Not too long before I have to get back to pack for the weekend; not exactly a lot to do but still has to be done.

Call in to see how Dad is late afternoon - tired out in the heat probably best describes him - before I head off to Llantarnam Abbey for a Retreat Weekend with Alister Hardy Society, subject Pilgrim Paths. They meet at 5.15 at the Abbey, which is only 10 minutes away by car on the other side of Cwmbran. Amazing that I was born in this town and, with the exception of a few illicit visits to get conkers from the trees on the approach avenue, I've never been to the Abbey itself.

After tea and introductions we are summoned to the Dining Hall for our evening meal. A pretty impressive introduction to our weekend - if the rest of the meals are like this I may stay! The evening session begins and A gives a talk on Paths and Maps [for inner and outer pilgrimages], which ties up lots of loose ends from our conversations over the years. This is followed by Circle Dancing and a closing epilogue for the night. A really good start to the weekend, looking forward to the rest!