To finish yesterday: We had a beer in our hotel bar, “The Dyvels Hotel”, we were just about to think we should go look for the rest of our party. Fortunately, Holly called from up the street and told us to stay put. In trotted the wolves with Pat & Holly in tow. Joyous reunion. Off to the award winning Indian Restaurant next door, where we distributed T shirts (link) to general laughter.
This morning after the obligatory salty meat breakfast (Jim ate a fried egg!) we were off. After a half mile we came across some construction machines excavating an archaeological site. A man came up to me and David and said, apologetically, “I’ve just been sent here to state the obvious.” He then rattled off three completely incomprehensible sentences, the only intelligible words being electrified fence and river. “You want us to go by the river,” I asked. “I’m just stating the obvious” he said. We followed the river to the sheep field.
Discovered the meaning of kissing gate and continued my subjugation of sheep. More gorgeous fields of poppies and picture postcard cottages. Detour to see Dilston Castle and Chapel. David says Rava is worried we won’t see enough ruins on this trip. Holly saved 3 pounds by climbing the walls of the tower to peer inside. She told the rest of us about the wonders not seen.
Through another wood and I’m starting to see where Tolkien got his scenes about slogging and killer trees.
Ate lunch with David at Mr. Ants, which we think is a pub despite its name. Agree that part of the fun of going to England is eating lunch in pubs.
Visited Hexham Abbey where I got to touch the 7th century Frist Stool – the bishops chair, and see a 7th century chalice. Jim sat outside as is his custom. Decided that I wouldn’t feel ri9ght visiting the temple of another faith, but since this is my religion I feel it’s ok to mix sightseeing with worship. Lit a candle and said a little prayer that I can be a better Christian in my daily life and think more of the spiritual world and worry a little less about this one. (Jim’s comment. These are places of worship and out of respect I choose not to sightsee at a church/synogoge/mosce/shrine etc. in some cases I will but I always feel a little uneasy and like I’m intruding.)
We then find it’s a hike up hill to our B&B – but worth it. The Kitty Frisk house is spacious and comfortable. We are especially taken with the honor system bar in the lounge; just write down what you drank. After tea and a hot shower, we need to go write something down maybe a scotch. (Famous Grouse Whiskey turned out to be the drink of the evening.)
This post was written by
Nadya – who has written 117 posts on UniBrain Trust.
Nadya is the resident food giver and trip planner. She likes to make things, and occasionally finishes them. Look! Shiny thing! You can often find her fixing JIm's spelling errors.