Mr C and I had lunch ‘Al Fresco’ in the Bowring Park before making our way to Haughmond Hill for an impromptu afternoon walk.
After we arrived at Haughmond Hill Mr C didn’t set of on the more direct way up the hill as I expected he would. Instead he set off on what I knew was the longest trail which was a bonus for me. Mr C didn’t religiously stick to the trail and at one point I realised that we had gone in a circle and arrived back at a familiar viewpoint near to the start of our walk.
We retraced our steps to locate the viewpoint he was aiming for then walked along the ridge enjoying the viewpoints but failing (as I thought) to locate the ‘bench’ I really wanted to see.
It was only later that I realised that I had seen the back of the bench. It was the intriguing fallen tree shape at the end of a short path, the only path that I didn’t walk to look at the view even though the curious tree trunk was calling me to have a closer look. Ironically Mr C walked along the path to see the view and didn’t notice the log/bench! After taking in the view he retraced his steps to find me waiting for him by some delightful lilac trees.
After an enjoyable five mile adventure we arrived back at the car park just too late to enjoy refreshments from the café. Maybe next time 
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Bench, Haughmond Hill, Rest a while with me, Shropshire
St Cuthbert is the North of England’s best-loved saint. He lived as a monk, bishop, and then hermit, on Holy Island – Lindisfarne. Revered during his own lifetime for his preaching and holiness, Cuthbert was acclaimed a saint in 698.
His community fled Lindisfarne following the Viking invasion in 793. They travelled around the North of England with his body and extraordinary relics for years. They finally settled in Durham in 995.
This Cathedral has grown from the Anglo-Saxon church built to house his shrine and the monks who cared for it.
In September 1104 St Cuthbert was moved into the newly-built Norman Cathedral. The new shrine was made of marble studded with jewels and semi-precious stones.
During the Middle Ages it became a centre of pilgrimage, which continues today. Large numbers of people flocked to the shrine to seek the saint’s blessing and healing powers.
The elaborate shrine no longer exists as it was destroyed in the Reformation. Instead it was replaced in 1542 by the simple marble slab marked ‘Cuthbertus’. The stones around the slab are part of the original construction.
This part of the Cathedral continues to be a place of pilgrimage, prayer and quiet reflection.
- Many people were praying and reflecting next to the shrine so my only photos are taken from below, outside the sacred space.
Tags: Durham, Durham Cathedral, Holy Trinity Church, Shrine, St Cuthbert
The weather was perfect for an afternoon excursion to Beeston Castle. It must be over 20 years since my last visit so most of it was new and surprising to me. The steep arched bridge to the inner keep is my main memory of the castle from my previous visit.
The walk to the inner keep is a steep uphill climb but well worth it for the views that can be seen from there. On a clear day, as today was the Wrekin is visible as are many other distant landmarks.
Whilst in the keep I had a misstep, my foot landed on some dry soil causing me to slide. Rather than slide or fall awkwardly, potentially hurting myself I shifted my balance so that I landed safely on my hands and knees. As I landed there was a loud clunk as my camera (in its case) came in contact with the rocks. I lady quickly rushed to my aid to see if I was alright, followed by a gentleman asking if I needed help to get up. I was grateful to both for caring but a bit bemused by the comment ‘did I need help to get up’. I thanked them both and quickly moved on and as I was ‘carefully’ picking my way along an uneven pathway I was asked ‘if I needed help’. It was a lovely gesture but it left me wondering if I look old and vulnerable!
Safely out of the inner keep we walked through the woods to the amazing reconstructed roundhouse before making our way to the café for afternoon refreshments that included ice cream rather than the usual ‘naughty cake’.
Tags: #walk1000miles, #walk1000miles2022, Beeston Castle, Cheshire
