Walking from St David’s, Llanddewi to Saint Mary’s Church, Rhossili
Bank Holiday Monday 26th August 2024
Chai has been aware of ‘The Wonder of Wellbeing’ project since it popped up on her Facebook feed.
The website describes the project,
“Our journey began in February 2024, as part of the Gower Ministry Area, with a vision to create spaces where individuals can reconnect with themselves, each other, nature, and deepen their faith.
We believe that nature has a powerful ability to heal and inspire.
Gower, with its rugged coastline, sweeping views, and ancient churches,is the perfect setting for this transformative experience.
At The Wonder of Wellbeing Gower, we aim to help both locals and visitors discover a deeper sense of peace and presence.
Through creative activities and reflective sessions held in our historic churches and surrounding landscape, we offer a journey of spiritual discovery and personal growth.
Whether you’re a long-time resident seeking solace or a curious traveler craving spiritual nourishment, we invite you to join us on this enriching adventure.”
Looking for an activity on Bank Holiday Monday, she noticed they were hosting a walk from St David’s to St Mary’s. She sent me the link and I said I was interested.
We were on the road from Swansea at 9:15 am and arrived at Llanddewi half an hour later. As someone said to me, “What city do you leave by crossing a cattle grid?” The Gower creates space for cattle, sheep and horses to roam without restriction.
We become a part of nature as we navigate with the animals.
Llanddewi church is 700 years old and it becomes a portal to enter timelessness. There are few residences around leaving you to wonder from where the people come to worship. The path we trod was the road that connected these communities in the Gower.
Along the path was an abandoned abode likely due to lack of access to modernity. Nature was reclaiming it for herself.
Every so often as we walked we stopped and one of us pulled out a card from a pack. It could have been about gratefulness, the future or anything that lifted our thoughts and mood.
I commented to Chai that one of the things I like about groups that acknowledge the spiritual is people tend to go deep quickly. I am sure a rambling group could stop for mindfulness but would everyone be happy to share? Maybe.
We arrived at St Mary’s in time for lunch after which some of us walked back albeit on a shorter route.
Days later I still have a sense that I was walking medieval paths. In I Kings chapter 19 verses 11 to 13 a story is recorded of the wind, the fire and mountains being torn and then comes a whisper. While God was not in the wind and fire they were as the trumpets sounding his arrival. Here as we walked in nature we became receptive to the whisper.
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Click the link below for information on The Wonder of Wellbeing Gower
