Pennal, Wales

In the month of December, Brian and I took a planned break from camping and stayed at a resort near Pennal, Wales. When checking in, we noticed a flyer about a Christmas concert at a local church. Pennal is within walking distance, so we decided to check out the village during the day. A little reconnaissance before walking the route in the dark.

By our warm attire, it's easy to surmise that it was cold. Yes, indeed it was, but as long as we kept moving, we were comfortable. 

We enjoyed the peaceful and picturesque rural surroundings. Fields are fenced with hedgerows, and many contained sheep. These spotted ones did not seem to mind our passing by.

It was definitely a wintery day with a skiff of snow in the hills above the village of Pennal.

We found it! The church where the concert would be held - St. Peter ad Vincula, which is Welsh for Saint Peter in Chains, a reference to the imprisonment of Peter in the book of Acts in the New Testament. 

The night of the concert, it was pitch dark with no moon or stars to illuminate the way, so we used our torches (flashlights) to avoid any missteps. We passed a pub that looked warm and inviting through the windows. From the street, we heard the sound of an orchestra warming up which led us to the entrance of the church (above). We had spotted it in the daylight earlier, but the music assured us we were in the right place. 

Here is the front of the interior of St. Peter's where the choir sang. The orchestra was actually seated above and behind the sanctuary in the old choir loft. Some of the songs were in Welsh and some in English. At intermission, mulled wine was served, and we met a few of the audience seated around us. What a lovely evening to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in a small village so far away from home. After returning through the windy darkness, we felt welcomed back to our accommodations by the cheerful Christmas tree there. "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."