Pray Wales Newsletters

Newsletter 7 – 2nd  July 2004

Passing the ruined but beatiful Tintern Abbey during a pilgrim walk

Clive walking past Tintern Abbey in the Wye Valley.

Next week’s route – Day 31 to Day 36

  • Brynmawr to Caerphilly – 22.7 miles
  • Travel to Knighton
  • Knighton to Clifford – 25.0 miles
  • Clifford to Wormslow – 24.1 miles
  • Wormslow to Chepstow – 28 miles
  • Chepstow to Cardiff – 27.2 miles
Pilgrim walks provide many opportunities to meet new people and make new friends - here is Clive talking with a Red Indian during one of his pilgrim walks
Pilgrim walks providfe opporunities to see and explore new places - here is Clive at Tintern Abbey in the wonderful Wye Valley

Having completed four weeks walking Clive was forced to buy new shoes after wearing out the footwear he bought for this year’s journey. The replacement shoes felt comfortable in the shop but the stiffened heal designed to support the ankle rubbed uncomfortably whilst walking, causing a large and very painful blister.

Despite the emptiness of Mid-Wales interesting conversations and encounters continued. These meetings encouraged Clive up and down the many steep hills that barred his route.

An unusual meeting occurred on Friday by the edge of the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal when a Greek “captain” of a small boat disembarked to ask about the cross. After sharing painful details about a difficult period in his life he offered to help Clive carry his burden. He soon returned the cross after feeling the weight and staggering a short distance along the canal towpath.

It was interesting to note that the many “Wales for the Welsh” slogans found in this region were greatly outnumbered by cars, houses and pubs flying the English cross of St George. We smiled at the thought that this outpouring of love neighbourly love was caused by the sight of the cross and not Euro 2004!

Pilgrim walks provide time to reflect, relax and recover. Here is Clive walking with alongside the peaceful Brecon canal during a pilgrim walk
Clive talking with a boat owner during one his his pilgrim walks

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your strength and all your mind; and, love your neighbour as yourself.”

Luke 10:27

Counties Evangelist Clive Cornish outside Prescoed Prison
Counties evangelist Clive Cornish climbing Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, in deep snow with his cross
Counties Evangelist Clive Cornish

If you want to know more about Counties evangelist Clive please see the blog post:

Lunacy or Love – Meet Counties Evangelist Clive Cornish

If you are interested in completing your own pilgrim walk than please see our selection of pilgrim walking holidays in the Lake District. Our fully guided pilgrim walks provide an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, connect with God and spend time with like-minded people. This year, in response to Covid-19, we are offering guided pilgrim walks from our comfortable accommodation in Natland, Kendal – ‘The Gateway to the Lake District’. All our walking holidays come with a Covid-19 guarantee.