Then the sun came out

It was obviously not the day to go the 'scenic' way through Weardale and the North Pennines to get to Durham, as it was cloudy and damp all the way. The heather was glorious however, despite the weather. 

We went to visit Durham Cathedral, the first time we have been since the scaffolding was taken down. There is still work being done, so this photo was taken from inside the Cloisters, by which time it was sunny and there was blue in the sky. What a magnificent building it is, seen from any angle. 

The main reason for going was to see a 'Vikings in Northumberland' Exhibition in the Open Treasure section, which was once the Monks' Dormitory. The exhibition was nicely done and interesting after we had recently seen events from 'the other side' in Denmark. I also found, and KathGordon will be interested in this, an Anglo-Saxon Namestone with runes, just like the one we both saw in St Hilda's in Hartlepool. In fact it was found in the same place in Hartlepool and no-one knows why this one is in Durham at all. 

Wolsingham Holy Well
On the way to Durham we stopped off in Wolsingham to find a Holy Well (see extras). This is a strange one as the well itself is a tiny trickle of water making a small puddle (here seen through the gate, as it was locked up), but there is very little known about it. And why it warranted the substantial edifice which surrounds it  is a mystery. Even the two 'Saints' named on the ornate gate were not saints at all - Aelric was a local hermit and Godric a wandering pilgrim who visited him. Very little else is known about either man or their links to the well, nor about a chapel that was supposed to have been in the vicinity. It is still well cared for though, but obviously rarely visited as there is no indication as to how one can get in.