A Cliff~top Nativity

Hello Friends!

It is cold out today, cold with a determined and brisk breeze, and grey clouds scudding across the afternoon sky, but at least it is dry, well, dry~ish, for there is a dampness in the air that seeps into our bones, the kind of bone seeping cold that thankfully only comes on a few days a year, and which even the keen westerly wind can't whisk away.  Despite this, I wrapped up warm in my new, insulated, long coat, I donned a warm hat, scarf and gloves, picked up my camera and set off out the door.

The back roads and paths are awash with puddles, and water is draining from the fields and running in rivulets all over the roads; the coast path is a mud bath!  Care must be taken with every step, puddle jumping the order of the day, but still I continued on for I had a single purpose in mind.

Near where I live there is a unique, quaint and tiny chapel, built in the 1930's, which sits atop the high cliffs that look out across Saint Bride's Bay and into the wild Atlantic Ocean.

It seats barely a dozen people, and I don't think it is used very often for services for the nuns live in an adjacent convent with it's own small internal chapel, but they care and look after this small gem of religious significance with great love and care as if it were in daily use.  It is a true gem, and only a few minutes walk away from the majestic {whopping mediaeval} St David's cathedral in the nearby inland valley. I think they make an awesome pair indeed!

My darling Mum was once a bridesmaid to her best friend who was wed here many decades ago on a cold and stormy winter day in February.  I remember her telling me how cold they all were in their bridesmaids' dresses.

To bring you some perspective, I am standing on the coast path to take this first photo; facing south east to the chapel, the greenery of summer along the coast is now dying back, but still brings heavenly colour by way of a rich, red, rusty brown.  I love it!

and turning left, to the south and west, this is the view over Beddau Non {Non's Grave} and St Bride's Bay, next stop the Atlantic Ocean just over yonder beyond the rolling brambles and crashing waves ~~~

As we approach the chapel inside the low hedge, the lawn is green and well tended, although there is evidence of moles, the little gentlemen in grey velvet!  I may return to the origins of that saying in a later blog.

Shall we go inside?

As we come to the door, these two signs bring great joy.  First that dogs are welcome, and second that the dear nuns have great compassion and consideration for the swallows that nest inside, in the rafters, during Spring.  How wonderful!

This is what I came to see today, the nuns have placed a sweet nativity upon the unique stone altar!  I think it is the prettiest I have seen in a very long time.

I lit a candle on the small stand to the left of the arch, you can just see it.  I find great comfort in lighting a candle in church.

This is a close up of the stained glass window that overlooks the altar.  I believe it commemorates the arrival of Saint Non, mother of Saint David, in Brittany.  There is a strong connection between this area and Brittany, through Saint Non who died and is buried there,  I plan to research and share in a future blog.

Returning outside, here is the view on a cold winter's afternoon from the chapel door facing west across the land to the Atlantic Ocean.  The coast path is just beyond the hedge.

Until next time
Deborah xo