Many on board the club’s luxury coach felt a strange excitement as the causeway that connects the island of Lindisfarne to the Northumberland mainland came into view, perhaps this was because of the countless reports of vehicles being stranded on the causeway, their drivers not having recognised the dangers of crossing at “the last minute”.
Vehicles were venturing across the causeway, the first crossings of the day, as the seawater slowly receded to expose the tarmac road. Holy Island seemed to lay dormant in the misty haze with little sign of civilisation, just a pale green outline standing out in the distance above the disappearing seawaters and waterlogged sands. The island seemed deep in slumber!
Once our coach driver had parked, club members were free to explore the island, most electing to visit the famous priory and impressive castle, others setting out on the waymarked Pilgrims Way, which links the island with the mainland – but only when the tide is low enough! Those setting off so soon after the tide had turned had to proceed with care, watery mud threatening to engulf boots.
Once back to the mainland, there was time to wring out socks and clean messy boots before heading off along drier paths towards the day’s final objective some 15 miles away along St Cuthbert’s Way, the popular market town of Wooler.
Those that had elected to explore Holy Island before heading for Wooler spent almost three hours visiting the many interesting features of the island, including a stop for the now customary bacon and egg sandwiches, washed down with plenty of tea & coffee. As well as the castle and priory, they visited impressive lime kilns, once a vital source of income for the early islanders but long since disused. The group sauntered on to wonder at the hundreds of small cairns that littered the eastern shoreline – built by island visitors over several years.
Meanwhile, those reaching the end of the Pilgrim’s Way crossed the main Newcastle to Edinburgh railway line, following the route of St Cuthbert’s Way, which brushes the tiny village of Fenwick before heading through extensive woodland to climb up the side of Greensheen Hill with its extensive views all round. A brief lunch-stop was enjoyed before descending to admire St Cuthbert’s Cave, with its impressive boulders and well-carved dedications to the lives of local people.
Many explored the heights of Doddington Moor and Dod Law, looking for the many “Cup & Ring marked Rocks” that were depicted on the OS map – but without success. The bridge over the River Till south of Weetwood Hall was crossed and, since Wooler was then in sight along the road, the decision to follow St Cuthbert’s Way up a steep hill onto Weetwood Moor brought moans from those with tiring legs. Once onto the moor however, many were quietly thankful that we had made the climb, for the Cheviot hill provided a nice backdrop as walkers made their way down into Wooler for some well-earned liquid refreshment.
If you would like to get involved in fell walking by joining one of our many walks, simply contact Alan on 01325 488225. We’re not especially holy, but we’re wholly into fell walking.