Pilgrim’s Causeway – 23rd June 2019

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The Pilgrim’s Causeway is a bit special for everyone who does it and it’s always popular. For some it is a spiritual walk, for others it’s just fun. Regardless, people are never disappointed.

Breakfast

It has become the tradition to arrive early at The Barn at Beal, so that we can enjoy a hearty breakfast. It’s a great start to a great day of walking. We met everyone there and then went outside for warm up and then set off.

The Pilgrim’s Causeway

After a short walk from The Barn at Beal car park, down to the road, we step off the road and onto The Pilgrim’s Causeway. We check the tide timings with extreme care, so we knew that the tide was on it’s way out. The surface was still quite wet but the good thing was that the water was relatively warm, so walking barefoot was very comfortable.

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Walking The Pilgrim’s Causeway

The muddy bit

About a third of the way in there is a bit of higher ground that is quite muddy. This mud is thick and black and smells bad. There is an alternative route but most always choose the mud on the way out at least. It must be the inner child coming out, as the glee in stepping into mud up to our knees is clear.

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Playing in the mud

Lindisfarne – Pilgrim’s Causeway destination

On reaching the island, we wipe the sand off our feet and get ready to wander up the road to the village. Most of us enjoyed refreshments in Pilgrim’s Coffee House and then went exploring. There is plenty to do on the island, including visiting the Castle, the Priory, the Lindisfarne Heritage Centre and Lindisfarne Mead, of course.

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Cleaning our feet

Archaeology lesson

Whilst on the island, we went to visit a dig that Christine had been working on for four years. The team had found the remains of a chapel that could date to before the Priory. The foundations of the chapel are currently open, to allow visitors to view the results of the excavation.

The Pole-breaker of Pilgrim’s Causeway

The route back had dried a little and it was significantly more slippery. This was where Christine got her new nickname, “Pole-breaker”. She was just walking along chatting and then disappeared. We found “Pole-breaker” Christine on the floor, unhurt, but with a broken carbon pole by her.

Off the Causeway

At the end of the causeway we needed to put our footwear back on, for the walk up the path to the car park. The trouble was that Julie found that she was no longer attached to her footwear. Her sandals had gone missing at some point. Help was at hand though, as Colleen had spare pare of sand shoes.

Refreshments

A quick cool down and we were ready for a cuppa. So, off we went, back into The Barn at Beal.

It was a great day and thanks for walking with us again.

Julie and Martin x

If you liked this walk why not take a look at our other walks.


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Strolls with poles – Nordic Walking for Fun and Fitness

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