Lindesfarne

No visit to Northumberland would be complete without crossing the causeway to Holy Island. Even the name Lindesfarne conjures up mystical visions and a sense of profound spirituality, the markers of the Pilgrims’ Way mapping a path  centuries old across the now shallow water either side of the road. 

There’s something incredibly exciting about crossing these waters, the road stretching ahead of us to the flat expanse of marram-edged land. Either side of us the water’s are rich in bird life and the calls of curlew; we will return, but  now it’s the landscapes I’m more fascinated by - vast expanses of silvery water with mud banks and marshes marking out textures punctuated by the two stilted refugee huts for pilgrims caught out by rising tides. 

The island’s busy today, convenient crossing times coinciding with a weekend, and it’s disappointing having to share the island with so many. We join the throngs towards the castle, but it’s not long before we find ourselves alone as we explore the shore line near the castle. Remnants of old piers protrude from the shore , timbers eroded to strange forms, and in the distant shimmering haze across the water stand two tall mysterious obelisks. Research discovers they are the Old Law Beacons, navigation aids dating back to 1826. 

We climb the curving cobbled path to the castle perched on its rocky hill - though it is closed today, and onwards past the lime kilns to the shingle bank. Here we find a lone seal pup, stranded on the boulder beach. Returning to the water seems an impossible task for the little chap; we just hope the rising tide will save him. 

We walk on to the harbour. By now the clouds are threatening rain, sunshine and blue skies banished. I photograph the iconic boat sheds, no longer seaworthy boats upturned and so repurposed; some are in a sad state of disrepair, others restored to life. And finally we curve round to the priory and admire its ruined beauty from outside. By now we’re just too tired to go ‘inside’ or to visit the museum - something we’ll probably regret. 

Instead we buy hot chocolate which has the added benefit of warming our hands as we return to the car just as the rain starts to fall. It’s been a wonderful visit. 

With so many different subjects it’s once more hard to choose a main, but I’m going with the boat sheds. The extras in this Lindesfarne set include: 
A mono castle shot taken from the beach
The seal pup
Old Law Beacons taken from the derelict pier 
Another castle view 
A mono of the priory.


Thank you again for the generosity shown to yesterday’s sunrise - once more very much appreciated.