Tuesday- Ready for the start!

Today we travelled to Melrose, ready to begin hiking tomorrow.

We were dropped off here by our lovely friend Emma, who looked around the abbey and shops with us, and with whom we also enjoyed a lovely coffee shop at lunch time. Emma was an excellent tour guide, having previously visited Melrose, and being knowledgeable of local history. She was able to share some interesting insights as we wandered around, and we now feel well set up to follow a hiking trail that links several sites of interest together, through the life of St Cuthbert. 

Cuthbert followed his calling to join the monastery at Melrose in 651ad, when he was around 17. He lived there for 13 years, until heading across to Ripon (which is not on our route unless there's another Ripon!) To help set up a new monastery. A bit later he returned to Melrose, and soon took up the role of Prior upon the death of Boisil, who had previously been Prior, and Cuthbert's teacher and friend. 

Evening drinks at the Ship.


Soggy Melrose centre

Robert Burns probably!

Melrose Abbey



Evidence that the 'Northern Cross' pilgrims are in town. I've seen bikes and dogs parked outside pubs before, but never a cross :-D they are travelling to Lindisfarne for Good Friday, though not entirely on the st Cuthbert's way. Wonder if we shall see them again.

We shall share more about St Cuthbert as we travel along!

This evening we roamed about town and found a pub for a bit of evening grub. Jacket potato for me and a burger for Tom. It’s still mandatory in Scotland to wear masks when moving about inside, so we have to be extra careful to remember. Now back at the hotel (in which our room is named after Burns, just to make sure we know we’re in Scotland!), and hoping for a good sleep so we are ready to go tomorrow. Looks like a hilly start to the first day!

Comments

  1. peaceofthecherry19 April 2022 at 15:01

    lovely hearing the history. & I can almost feel/smell the fresh air from your photos!

    ReplyDelete

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