The Holy Isle - Lindisfarne

I've always wanted to come to Lindisfarne - the Holy Isle. It's been on my bucket list for ages, and today, as I was just wandering around different parts of it, I couldn't believe I was here.

In front of Abbey Ruins

 Lindisfarne also has a link to Iona which is on my itinerary later on in this tour.

It all began with King Oswald (Mentioned in my Bamburgh Castle post ) inviting the monk Aidan to his kingdom  to bring Christianity to the people here. Aidan was a good and holy man

When Aidan died, Cuthbert is purported to have had a vision seeing Aidan transported to heaven and  he then felt called to be a monk also. Bit of a loner. was our Cuthbert and he kept trying to become a hermit,  He lived on a nearby island called St Cuthbert's island..

St Cuthbert's Island

 but this was not remote enough, so he moved out to a cell on Inner Farne Island.
He was persuaded by King Egfrid in 685 to become the Bishop of Lindisfarne and only reluctantly agreed. But he became ill and returned to his retreat on Farne Island where he died in 687. His fellow monks brought him back to Lindisfarne where his body was laid near the altar.

In 698 they opened the coffin and found he was an incorruptible and was still as he was when he died. He became famous for his miracles and people made pilgrimages to see his grave.

Threats of the Viking raids  in 875 made the monks abandon Lindisfarne and they carried Cuthbert's body until it was laid to rest in Durham in 995AD (see post on Durham)

There is a magnificent wooden sculpture in the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Lindisfarne, and I found it very moving... It depicts the monks carrying the body of Cuthbert for all those years...

Sculpture of monks carrying Cuthebert's body

Sculpture of monks carrying Cuthebert's body
 

Sculpture of monks carrying Cuthebert's body

 

I loved just walking though the ruins of the original Abbey. By now the sun had come back out, but the wind was bitingly cold and gusty.

Lindisfarne Abbey Ruins

Lindisfarne Abbey Ruins

Lindisfarne Abbey Ruins

Lindisfarne Abbey Ruins

There is certainly a real "feel" to this place and I can see why they call it the Holy Isle.

But apart from all the history and the holy stuff....
I'm staying at a very nice B&B. And because the island's causeway is tidal, you can only cross at certain times...  See this timetable for info about when you can cross in April.

Crossing the causeway

Crossing the causeway

Apparently there have been many cases of people who tried to beat the tides, but didn't make it. There is a little tower in the middle where you can take refuge if you are caught.... Bad luck about your car!!!!

So, tonight it's very quiet because most visitors have gone for the day and won't be back until midday tomorrow.

I had a lovely meal at one of the hotels here, which is about 2 mins walk away! I asked if I could get a plain meal and they made the most delightful chicken breast and steamed veggies. My heart is happy.

So ends another day in the on going saga of Wattle's Wanderings. I can't believe I am actually here in this place that I have wanted to visit for ages. I might say a little prayer to  St Aidan and St Cuthbert tonight for all my friends and family who are following this blog! St Aidan and St Cuthbert... pray for us. :)