About a 30 minute drive south from Berwick Upon Tweed lies Lindisfarne. This small island lies close to the coast and only accessible at low tide. I drove out before dawn (remember that is not until about 8:30) and left just before sundown (about 2:30).
On this island are the ruins of an Priory dating from at least the 12th century. This replaced one from the 8th century. St. Aidan and Cuthbert established this place and it was the seat of christianity as it spread into northern England and southern Scotland.
Next to the priory is the small church St. Mary the Virgin that is still operating today. The graveyard surrounding it has some interesting sights.
Even though these all seem to date from the 19th century, some are quite weathered.
Considering how much longer the ruins of the priory have been here, it must be hard stone indeed since it is better shape than some of the grave markers.
Across the harbor, is the Castle from the mid 16th century.
From a closer vantage, we can see the the castle and the fence leading to it along the coast.
Here is St. Mary's as viewed from the priory ruins just next to it.
In the church yard, we find the dew covered grass and a pot of roses.
I found this tree at the edge of the cemetery to frame the image well.
As the day wore on, the sun finally came out and I got some images of the priory with a bit of sun on them.
Between Lindisfarne and the mainland is a small island with a cross on it. this is the island where St. Cuthbert chose to live just before his death.
looking to the left from Cuthbert's island we see, in the distance, two towers that provide as line-of-sight guidance for bringing a boat in through the channel. Aligning the two towers puts you in the right place.
Looking away from the shore, we see St. Mary's standing on higher ground.
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