Blwyddyn Newydd yn Sir Benfro: Rhan Un

After a fairly miserable time over Xmas with 'flu and variants thereof, it was a pleasure to head to St David's for a week's R & R. No matter how many times we come here, it's always refreshing.


The cathedral, looking tranquil on the last day of 2017. Unfortunately our visit has coincided with the cathedral choir's holiday so no choral evensong to round off our days. But the Parish Eucharist was enlivened by the Canon Residentiary, Dorrien Edwards. Larger than life and someone we've known for a few years from our regular October visits. Not quite his last service but nearly so as he is off to a new post as Archdeacon of Carmarthen soon.



A quiet New Year's morning on the beach at Whitesands..

Actually, not that quiet as it's time for the annual New Year's Charity Dip for those who like cold water.

Hardy souls or nutters? Probably a mix of both. Whatever, everyone was enjoying themselves and it was a great atmosphere. Would I ever consider doing it? Never. In. A. Million. Years. But I have a sneaky admiration for those who did it. Admiration tempered with a healthy dose of bemusement.

With so many people in the water, safety was a prime consideration for the organisers. Hooray for the local life guards. Not quite Bay Watch. In fact, nothing like Bay Watch. Where was the Hoffmeister? Where was Pamela Anderson?

Just in case the life guards weren't quite up to the task, the St David's lifeboat hovered just off shore.

Perhaps hovered isn't the right description as there was quite a few ups and downs in the surf. Now that looks fun and something I've love to do. 

To the cathedral for an afternoon concert by the Cantacorion John S Davies. A choir based in nearby Fishguard, their mixed programme of not-so-common hymns and other works hit the spot. Excellent music in a wonderful setting.

 

The organ over the rood screen. Mrs P knows it well.

The main altar, looking festive.

The cathedral in the fading light of the first day of 2018.

The silhouette of the Bishop's Palace reminded me of the Pont du Gard in Southern France. The ravens were gathering to roost and their cronks were quite eerie in the stillness. 

Back to Whitesands at the end of the day. No people around and stillness reigns. In the distance, the lighthouse on the Bishop's Lighthouse. Looking at the sea is quite magnetic and something to be done whenever the opportunity presents itself.