This Woman is My Destiny

This is what I am reduced to.  Sitting in damp grass as the wind and drizzle flap around me.

We arose this morning, slightly weary - who am I kidding -  I was as hungover as I have ever been in ages today. 

Last night involved a bottle of wine and several jack daniels, a delish dinner, and much snortering at the bar with the staff who were all amazing. 

It was pouring, so himself wandered up to the car, whilst I lay in bed and moaned after breakfast.  I pulled myself together and we headed out, and investigated the Priory, and heard the story of St Aiden, and St Cuthbert, discussed the viability of wandering over to St Cuthberts Isle (not at all), and hummed at the cost of the nice glasses in the Gift Shop. 

We then wandered round the old Priory.  I wasn't mad on it... A lot of it has been "recreated" as they think it might have been,  At Incholm in the Forth - when you walk through the Abbey there, you can hear the footsteps of the monks in the walls. you can hear them saying their vespers in the air.  At this one.  Nothing, not a peep.   Still, it's very lovely. 

Then we wandered to the Lindisfarne Mead place and bought a lovely picture, some postcards, some ale, and coffee beans..

We went for coffee at a coffee shop we hadn't visited before and been very much amused when all the customers got up at 1220 and ran for the door and headed to the car park.   The staff had started wiping surfaces down, and when someone came in and asked if they were open, they said "We are closing in 10 minutes... None of us live on the island and we are heading for the causeway in ten minutes. 

The tide was at its highest from 1 til 7 - and so they were closing.  We also discovered that the Castle and the National Trust shop closed too, and the other coffee shop which was full to bursting when we passed it twenty minutes before.   Everyone was gone.  Again

Then we dropped our purchases off at the hotel and headed back to one of the other pubs, the Ship.   I don't know what it is about Lindisfarne, but they don't "do" "pub grub".  They do really great, amazing, decorative, tasty, beautiful meals. 

I had Teriyaki Salmon with crispy kale and bashed potatoes.  I couldn't decide which I loved more, and eat in a circular fashion until I was finished.  Himself had freshly caught crab salad -  which was massive and also very, very tasty.  We also took a bit of the hair of the dog, which made me feel a whole lot better. 

At that time we headed towards the castle. 

We walked up the path towards it but cut off at the gate to head towards Gertrude Jekyls' Garden.   - her brother was a friend of Robert Louis Stevenston, and he (RLS) borrowed the family name for his book). 

The last time we had been at Gertrude's Garden, you could barely see the path - there were so many blooms everywhere.  This time - everything had been trimmed back and the beds were ready for planting for the new season.   We sat for a while there wondering about the place. 

A few people came in and sat and them moved on. 

Eventually we rose and headed for the beach and the stone balancing. 

Sadly himself really needed a pee at that time... there were walkers from all directions and after a bit of walking ourselves, we came upon a likely spot, but still more people.... finally there was a gap and he was able to assume a discreet position and I stood amazed as he pee'd for over 2 minutes!  

If I had 2 minutes of pee in me, I would be incredably unable to walk. 

We stepped outside the National Trust boundary and rose the Drone.   We still need lots of practise in making the settings just right for photos... but we did have fun with it, and I did my usual Dead photo.   - This was us recovering from playing dead  ha ha ha

After we got back up again, we wandered to the stones (please look a the extra... )  and then along the beach way toward the Old Limestone Kilns.  Up to the castle.  Please note we were not walking constantly - I was walking from bench to bench.  At the top of the castle I was full of swearing.  We sat down and recovered, and then climbed a little further, and then headed down the Castle walk way.  

But we didn't stop there, we carried on around the harbor, right down to the water's edge, and then scrambled up another hill... and down a cliff face, got trapped against the water's edge, and had to retreat back the way we came. 

We finished by climbing to the top of the watchtower and being amazed at the view all around. 

We staggered down the hill and wandered back to the hotel where I fully intended to have a nap.  Sadly - it was 6 pm by this time, and after tidying up it was time to head downstairs and start eating all over again. 

I promised not to drink as much as I had last night and kept to my limits.  It helped that He and I were both completely exhausted and desperate for bed.  

We sat again with the staff after our dinner, but just for one this time.. and then took to our bed at 915!!! yes 915.... and watched Angel Has Fallen; the Television, much to our amusement had this weird functionality - that when someone else used their TV it impacted ours.   Tonight, it was volume at 100%  We fought back and forward with whichever other room it was.   What a giggle.  We Won!