Arriving at Holy Island - at the right tidal times - was much longer than I had expected. There are some miles to travel before reaching Lindisfarne .
I started off at the Lindisfarne Castle - built in the sixteenth century as a fortress against invaders - much later than the monastery that was established in the Seventh Century. Interesting to think that Lindisfarne was attacked by the Vikings around 793 AD. Perhaps if the Castle had existed then, history may have been very different. Then the Monastery - to see what was left of the original building and to understand this central part of English history.
After, (with a short fish and chip interlude), I went to the nearby town of Berwick-Upon-Tweed. The best part was to pass an amazing old railway Bridge (known as the Royal Border Bridge) - of which the architecture was quite astounding. There was even a train that went across!
Over just one day I have been privileged to see an historic and special place in our Island story, pass a railway bridge created by the very best of human ingenuity and travel through nature at its finest. What more could one ask for?
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