Holy well - in action!

When the day dawned fine and sunny I resolved to grab my last opportunity to contribute to Freespiral's  IHWM by getting to the well of St Non, the mother of St David. Some versions of the legend say that Nonnita's pregnancy was the result of her rape by a Welsh prince.  She gave birth in a thunderstorm close to the sea cliffs here: a spring is reputed to have erupted from the ground simultaneously. During the succeeding couple of thousand years a cathedral was built slightly further inland and a powerful bishopric grew up around it;  pilgrims and tourists came flocking. St Non's well  attracted those in search of hope, healing and safe deliveries.  During the 20th century the Catholic church spruced up the well, erected a statue of St Non and built a retreat centre nearby. (Of course this ignores the fact that springs were sacred far back into pagan times when running water echoed the womanly flows of milk and menses which signified fertility.)

Anyway, the thrill for me was that when I reached the well it was in use.  A family of seven had come expressly for the purpose, even equipped with a towel. Father first, dipping his forehead three times, then the mother marshalled all five children, aged from about 12 down to 2, to accomplish the same and finally she knelt and submerged her own face three times. I hope they'll all feel the benefit, one way or another.

More pictures of the well, its surroundings and the coast here. The day was a glorious one and I'm grateful to Freespiral for providing the incentive for the expedition..