The weather forecast said it with prophetic accuracy;  that it would be bright and sunny until 2.00pm-then the rain would fall. And so it was that we set off from Gilesgate on our parish pilgrimage to Holy island. A full bus headed up the A1. Our prayer for a blessed journey was shared. We reflected on a series of Lindisfarne based quiz questions.

Arriving around 10.30 we disembarked on the busy Causeway. Some remained on the bus, some proceeded by road, but most ventured onto the old pilgrims way across the Causeway, splashing, slipping, some sliding. One zealous pilgrim careering ahead at a pace that would have humbled St. Aidan, came a cropper on the slithery slopes. The rest of us relished the cautious, slow treading through the surprisingly warm waters. What therapy, as we barefooted the invigorating 3 mile trek.

“At the entrance, my bare feet on the dirt floor, Here, gusts of heat; at my back, white clouds. I stare and stare. It seems I was called for this: To glorify things just because they are.” Czeslaw Milosz

The spirit in the group was great. Stopping half way along the ancient route to pray, the strong-but gentle-North Sea winds brushed the remaining cobwebs away under glorious sunshine and stunning cloud formations.

Nearing our destination, the plaintive howls of the famous Lindisfarne seals could be heard as they gathered in their hundreds. Arriving on the dry sandy dunes we dried our feet and shared our picnic. Coffee never tasted so good. We were now joined by the rest of our pilgrims, who travelled by bus. Nationalities and ages as diverse as the glorious skies above laughed and greeted each other. Our time was our now our own for the remainder of the afternoon.  

Gathering for Mass at 3.00 pm, we celebrated Eucharist together in St Aidan’s Chapel (the church serves a practical purpose, but my sense that a place of Catholic worship deserves a building more atmospheric that connects with its extraordinary Catholic heritage). We were joined by a number of strangers with a love of the Eucharistic that fired Ss.  Aidan and Cuthbert. Sr. Tessa welcomed us and was more than kind.

We rejoined our driver, John, barely escaping heavy rainfall. Passing through Bamburgh we were surprised by the crowds. A 26 mile charity walk for Cancer research was in progress from Amble to Bamburgh. Wearing green tee shirts, the walkers numbered over 2000.

One cannot leave Northumberland without having fish and chip in Seahouses.   And we were ready for them. It was time to leave for Durham. John, our Middlesbrough, Sunderland supporting bus driver brought us back home safely after a wonderful visit to this precious gem in the North of England.

Thanks Barbara for organising a great day.  And what a way for Margaret White to celebrate with parish and family her very special birthday. Well done oh faithful servant.

‘Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small..’

This quote from an  Old Breton fisherman’s prayer, turned into a poem by Winfred Ernest Garrison, was inscribed on a block of wood given to  President John F. Kennedy  who loved it and always kept it on his desk in the Oval Office.