Day 31 - August 11, 2022 - Fishguard, Wales - St. Davids - Home visit

We awoke to a beautiful sunrise this morning.  We are finally far enough south latitude that we can view the sunrise without having to be up at 4:00 AM.

As we arrived in Fishguard, it appear that it will be another beautiful day.

Fishguard is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with a population of 3,419 in 2011; the community of Fishguard and Goodwick had a population of 5,407. Modern Fishguard consists of two parts, Lower Fishguard and the "Main Town". Fishguard and Goodwick are twin towns with a joint Town Council.

The coasts of Wales were subject to Norse raids during the Viking era, and in the latter part of the 10th century Norse trading posts and settlements emerged within Dyfed, with Fishguard established sometime between 950 and 1000 AD.

After disembarking the ship, we immediately boarded buses for a cross country drive to the town of St. Davids.  The primary feature of St Davids is the Cathedral.

A few notes on the Cathedral from Wikipedia:

The monastic community was founded by Saint David, Abbot of Menevia, who died in 589. Between 645 and 1097, the community was attacked many times by raiders, including the Vikings; however it was of such note as both a religious and an intellectual centre that King Alfred summoned help from the monastic community at St Davids in rebuilding the intellectual life of the Kingdom of Wessex. Many of the bishops were murdered by raiders and marauders, including Bishop Moregenau in 999 and Bishop Abraham in 1080. The stone that marked his grave, known as the "Abraham Stone", is intricately carved with early Celtic symbols and is now on permanent display within the Cathedral Exhibition at Porth-y-Tŵr.

In 1081, William the Conqueror visited St Davids to pray, and thus recognised it as a holy and respected place. In 1089, the shrine of David was vandalised and stripped of its precious metals. In 1090, the Welsh scholar Rhigyfarch wrote his Latin Life of David, highlighting David's sanctity, thus beginning the almost cult-like status he achieved.

In 1115, with the area under Norman control, King Henry I of England appointed Bishop Bernard as Bishop of St Davids. He began to improve life within the community, and commenced construction of a new cathedral. In 1123, Pope Calixtus II granted Bishop Bernard's request to bestow a papal privilege upon St Davids, making it a centre of pilgrimage for the Western world; the Pope decreed that "Two pilgrimages to St Davids is equal to one to Rome, and three pilgrimages to one to Jerusalem".[1] The new cathedral was quickly constructed and Bishop Bernard consecrated it in 1131. Henry II of England's visit in 1171 saw the following of David increase and the need for a larger cathedral.

The present cathedral was begun in 1181 and completed not long after.  There have been many additions and reconstructions due to earthquake etc. since then.  For more information Google!

The Cathedral is beautiful and has a fascinating history.  We enjoyed the visit.

I am glad I don't have to learn Welch.  There has been a revival of the language as has there been in Manx on the Isle of of Man.

After our visit to St. Davids, we returned to Fishguard where our group was split into three groups for a home visit and meal.  We feel we drew the lucky straw for the visit.  We were taken to the home of a warm and welcoming family who lived in the upper town.

Sally, Stuart and their children Sam and Gwen welcomed us into their home as if we were long lost relatives.  Janet, Carl, Kay and I were joined by fellow travelers Tom and Sandy from Alaska.  

After refreshments and spending some time just chatting and getting to know each other we were presented with a wonderful home prepared meal.  We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit and hated to see it come to an end.  They were a lovely family.

After a very quick trip back to the ship, we returned to town to explore for a while.

In the church, the ladies had a quilt show on display.  There were over 200 beautiful handmade quilts to view.

 At this point, I pause..  Our internet last night was terrible and I was not able to post the blog.  I am now working Friday morning while waiting to debark the ship for the final time.  We have been delayed an hour.  Unfortunately, I don't have all my photos because they are on my portable hard drive which is packed in my luggage.

I will finish when we get to Oxford tonight, but until then I will post what I have.

Well, after a nice stop and visit to a small village in Cotswold (more on that in tomorrows blog), we journeyed on to Oxford and were checked into the Courtyard Marriott by 2:30.  We have about one and a half hours to rest before an optional orientation walk at 4:00 PM so I am continuing yesterday's blog.

After viewing the quilt display, I wandered into the graveyard.  The oldest gravestone I saw was dated 1802, but this interesting marker was there which appears much older.

Leaving the church, we crossed the street to the townhall which contains an interesting exhibit.  Fishguard's claim to fame is that it was the location of the last invasion of British soil in 1797.

In recognition of the 200th anniversary of this event, a 100 foot long tapestry was dedicated in the town.  This intricate piece of needle work was done mostly by local women, over 50 participated in the work.

A single panel of the tapestry.

The building where the surrender occured.

Looking down the main street of Fishguard.

The weathervane atop the town hall.  Very appropriate.

To sum-up, it was a very nice day but I think we all agreed the visit and lunch with Sally, Stuart, Sam and Gwen was the highlight of the day.