Lindisfarne: the holy island. What a delight it was to be able to visit at last.
I slept overnight in some woods nearby, wild camping again, and arrived very early at the causeway so I'd have a mobile signal to post here and send some messages. If you're following this blog in real time and wondering why the posts are always a day or two behind, it's mostly because the wi-fi facilities in wild camping sites leave a lot to be desired ...
It was fun watching people following the retreating tide along the causeway and tentatively trying their luck to get across as soon as possible. I didn't take any chances on La Fenice, but I did cross as soon as the whole road was visible and had the fun of riding with the sea right up against the road on either side; with my pilgrim staff strapped to my back I felt like Moses on a Vespa.
I arrived just after the start of the morning service at St Mary's, so had the opportunity to be part of what turned out to be a terrific eucharist service. Revd Sam's sermon on John 6 was very thoughtful, and Revd Sarah stopped afterwards for a lovely and very enlightening conversation about life and ministry on the island.
Having crossed the causeway between the waters of the North Sea, I sat in the church listening to fierce and foul winds beating against the walls. The feeling of being at the mercy of the elements is very strong here. Nature has the upper hand and needs more than a little respect.
Lindisfarne has been a place I have wanted to visit ever since I studied it in primary school.
ReplyDeleteA very special place for us especially if we get the tides right and have the island quiet without the hoards.
ReplyDeleteCan't recommend enough staying on the island. Holy Week and Easter this year was truly something. A week of journeying with Rev Sarah and her team. 💜🙏
ReplyDelete