Island 2- Holy Island, biked 15th February 2014

Setting off at the crack of dawn, literally

In spite of dire weather forecasts of gales and rain, I was thrilled to be joined in this mad venture by Heidi, Mark and Alan. We met at Berwick-upon-Tweed at 07.40, warmly clad and armed with tons of food and chocolate.


There was a lull in the wind for several hours and so we set off on the back-road route which I had planned after the far-too-challenging reccie of the 'cycle route'. It was a lovely morning and the route was mostly on empty flat (ish) back roads. The slightly 'soft' (Irish for rain) weather was no problem to us. We got to the causeway (13.5 miles) in good time and headed across so as to make the most of our time before the tide closed it again. The sand on the causeway was a bit tricky for Alan and me who were on Bromptons, but Heidi and Mark were able to fool around (and did). We enjoyed the electronic sign which welcomed us and warned of rain and high winds. Well done to Heidi for getting pics of these notices which were only there for a few moments.

Arrived!

We did like the 'real' 'Welcome to Holy Island' sign, although, like all these signs here, they were followed soon after by a warning of the tide times.  People regularly get stuck, some of them actually drive through the incoming tide when the vehicles are not high enough to get through.

Refuge box

This is a refuge box for people caught out.
The image is a bit smudgy because of rain on the lens.  Since the safe crossing times are well advertised, it is hard to see how so many people get stranded so often.



There was a handy stone structure, which looked like a bus stop, as we came to signs of human life. We seized on it to have hot coffee and some food but mostly chocolate brownies.  Heidi and Alan were very cold so we didn't linger too long.  The weather cleared up so that we were no longer getting wet and we had a wonderful time exploring the island.  The highlight for us (apart from the free tastings of sloe gin and mead in the museum) was the Church which was like a mini, but living, museum.  A wooden sculpture (Fenwick Lawson's 'The Journey') of monks carrying St Cuthbert's remains (a 40 year hobby) in this church is sufficient reason to visit the island. I loved that you could donate money to make a kneeler and it would have your dedication on the back.  Images of the Lindisfarne Gospels were everywhere and the connections with Ireland at that time were so strong that a tea-towel which I bought in Ireland in December was also on sale here - depicting celtic symbols and such-like.

How smashing to have been able to do this today and in such congenial company. After a bracing cycle into the wind back across the causeway, our post-island refreshments at the Barn at Beal were as good as I expected.  The staff are always so welcoming and didn't seem to mind Heidi and Mark drying their socks on the turf fire.  A key attraction there is watching the causeway closing over on a big screen and vehicles getting stuck.

The return was a bit breezy but I was fine since Mark pushed me up the hills - thanks Mark!

Here's to the next 19 islands.  Keep an eye on this space - maybe link up to follow it.