Cuddy

We spent the morning in Durham, mainly in the cathedral. We had to wait till 10.00am for it to open but we managed to pass a bit of time in Waterstones!

Heading across from our hotel to the city centre we crossed the relatively new Millennium Place and came across this amazing statue of Cuthbert being transported from Lindisfarne ( or Chester le Street where he was temporarily housed) to his newly built home in the cathedral which at that time was an Anglo Saxon church. I was delighted to see it even if it looked slightly incongruous in a modern setting.

We spent nearly two hours in the cathedral and it was just as amazing as I remembered. The volunteer staff and clergy were excellent, friendly and helpful. A concert was being prepared for, maybe another requiem but there were promotions for more ecumenical events such as a Tina Turner tribute and Motown coming soon.
Of course we made for Cuthbert’s Shrine part of which is seen in the second image. There were banners too of Cuthbert and Oswald ( King of Northumbria, who converted to Christianity on Iona) done in Batik.
Cuthbert's grave is said to hold his uncorrupted body and Oswald’s head. We were told that during the dissolution of the monasteries, Durham was saved as they found his body and although they took the treasures they thank fully left the building intact. Phew!

At about midday we headed across country to Cumbria where unfortunately the weather turned wet again. After checking in and enjoying our complimentary cream tea, we went out for a little stroll around Patterdale to help walk it off!
The village church is lovely and the grounds full of daffodils, large and small - extra 2. It wasn't too damp so we continued on to Glenridding to check out the footpath as we’ve booked a meal there tomorrow night. We stopped in at the Ullswater hotel for a drink and had a nice chat to a couple staying there. The rain came in a bit heavier but after a restorative red wine the walk back didn’t seem too bad. It only took us 20 minutes.
We are eating in the hotel here tonight, three courses and wine as part of our two night stay deal.
Looking forward to it already. 
May get a break in the weather tomorrow for a walk, though I’ve done 14,000 steps today. We’ll take what comes.