Fave Fives, Mid July

Friday already!  Time to hit the pause button and think about all the blessings of this past week.  Friday Fave Fives does help me stay focused.

1.  Lately I have been reading a devotional book every evening before I sleep.  I bought the book in Lindisfarne on Holy Island, Northumberland, England in April 2022.  This week, the daily reading mentioned Heavenfield.  This is a place in the UK that has great significance to the Celtic Christian church because it is where King Oswald raised a cross before a battle (Battle of Heavenfield).  I looked up where Heavenfield is and, lo and behold,  I have been there.  We were hiking on that same trip and following a path to Hadrian's Wall.  There was a small church on a hilltop and we explored the perimeter and then walked down another path and passed a large wooden cross.  I did a bit of research and yes!  That is the same place that is mentioned in my devotional book.  I love the connections that give me a visual to help me understand and appreciate the words.

St. Oswald Church, Heavenfield

the cross

2.  After several days of heat and humidity, today I am thankful for cool(er) temperatures, clouds and rain.  We needed the break.

3. The garden is thriving, even in the heat.  Flowers and veggies.

4.  Do you have a favorite tea that you enjoy drinking every day?  Besides my first love of Earl Grey tea, I have been enjoying a good herbal tea-- hibiscus tea.  Flavorful and healthy.

5.  I wish I could catch photos of the birds that flutter around our back garden.  I think my favorite visitors are the yellow goldfinches.  I love the bees, butterflies and birds!

Bonus bit:  The Professor continues to gain strength.  This week we did a two mile walk on the path by our house!

Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland

 Berwick is a small town in northeastern England. In fact, it is the farthest north of any town in England, closest to the Scottish border.  After we left Holy Island, we were driven to Berwick by a very lovely lady named Sue who lives there (lucky woman!).  She dropped us off at the train station so we could catch our train south.

Since we had a few hours to wait, we walked over to the local pub to grab something to eat.  Older daughter and I explored the area a bit.  I have to say that Berwick is absolutely charming.  I think you will agree.

The River Tweed

There are always walls and pathways around them.

Eleanor agrees with me. Berwick upon Tweed is a lovely and friendly place.

I definitely want to return to Berwick someday and explore it more!

Holy Island

You asked for it. Here it comes. 

Our first destination on our trip to England was Lindisfarne, or Holy Island.  A little background.  Why would my daughters and I be interested in hopping on a train and riding three hours north to visit an island? Lindisfarne is a tidal island off the northeast coast of England which is the site of an abbey established by Saint Aidan in 635AD at the request of King Oswald of Northumbria.  Aidan, an Irish monk, came from Iona to establish a monastery. After Aidan, a monk named Cuthbert became bishop there. Unfortunately, about 150 years later, the Vikings invaded the area several times and destroyed the monastery. Eventually, a new church was built about 1150AD and later fortified for protection. During the reign of Henry VIII, the priory was closed but not destroyed.  We visited what remains of the abbey because... we love ruins and history.

But. That's not all! Lindisfarne also has a CASTLE!  It started out as a fort but in 1901 Edward Hudson bought it and built an Edwardian country home.   Pretty remote but pretty amazing.

And people live where they can see this castle every day from their fishing huts.

Yes, people live full time on Holy Island. They have farms, and they do commercial fishing, and they cater to tourists. And they live in normal houses, not castles or abbeys.

And of course, Eleanor made a friend.