Thursday
Blog written by Ian:
The day began as the sun shone through the cold, foggy mist bringing to life the lush surrounding pastures filled with sheep, young and old alike. The scene was comparable to the beauty of the previous evening’s sunset giving us the occasion to enjoy the wonders of Hadrian’s Wall and the surrounding region with a burnt orange and red backdrop. These scenes are only a fraction of the many awe-inspiring sites which we have witnessed on our long journey. They reflect the glory and majesty of our Savior and King declaring His fame each and every day.
Being energized by this site I joined the rest for breakfast at the usual 7:30 to find the typical YHA English breakfast complete with pork beans, bacon, toast, and eggs (being microwaved, they weren’t a big seller). The girls were particularly grossed out at my eating of a piece of fat that I had originally cut off my bacon. Of course I did this simply for the enjoyment of viewing their reaction to the consumption of, what was to them, a most detestable thing. After finishing our food we went back to our rooms to quickly grab our belongings and meet out at the coach.
As we started our journey towards Holy Island our most recently acquired coach driver continued his ever-present discourse on whichever point in history he chose. It seems as though he feels a personal obligation to fill in any possible gaps that may exist in any part of the history books of our own minds. While I have found much of what he has to say interesting and educational it can actually become a little tiring as he travels from subject to subject, mingling his opinion with actual history and carrying on for periods of time sometimes exceeding 1 hour 20 min. All in all I am appreciative of his service of driving and additional service of lecturing but I am not ashamed to put on my headphones every once in a while to focus on something else such as reading or journaling.
Most of the vehicle was asleep for the trip but many awoke as we came to slow roads approaching the island. The site of a road raised a couple of inches higher than the wet sand surrounding it and stretching about ¾ of a mile out in the direction of the North Sea is both amazing and disconcerting at the same time. This road is the only available route for vehicles and is only above water two times a day making it of some importance to arrive and leave at the correct times. Our trek across was just fine and even enjoyable as the sun glimmered on the surface of the water and gave some clue as to the vastness of the sea.
Upon our arrival we went straight to the toilets, as the British so regularly label them, and set out to find the museum. The museum was simple yet displayed the artifacts and background information well. I am more often than not the last one out, as was the case this time, so I quickly bought some postcards and went to the ruins of the old priory. I basically learned that St. Aiden was sent from Iona (an island on the western coast of Scotland) to establish some sort of Christian center for worship and evangelism which in the end was this priory. Later the priory was under the profound leadership of St. Cuthbert. It was also closely connected with the Durham Cathedral that we happened to visit yesterday being that when the threat of the invading Vikings was close to home for the monks on the island they moved the most important of their writings and important artifacts to the cathedral on the mainland for safe keeping. These things were then replaced later on but the dedication and piety of these monks simply astounds me. I am impressed with the extent they went to preserve the accuracy and even existence of and understanding of God’s Word. I wish could only display that level of dedication to the study and meditation of His Word. While I understand their specific execution of implementing important disciplines may not have been in the best manner, being constantly cut off from society, I think we can learn from their example of discipline and dedication.
After viewing the cool ruins we continued our journey up the coast of England and crossed the very friendly and nearly unnoticeable border into Scotland. We spent about another 45 minutes to an hour in the coach before we came upon Edinburgh. We drove right up the Royal Mile (named so because the House of Parliament is at the bottom and the castle at the top of the street) to the Edinburgh Castle. It was a spectacular sight but whereas we learned more about castle life at the Tower of London we learned more about the history of the countries royal line and military here in this castle. They actually still fire a cannon (a blank obviously) every day at one o’clock, to keep the whole city on the same time. It was originally for the ship captains but still takes place more out of tradition now.
Our visit at the castle was followed by a trek up to another high point in the city where some other memorials and things were before going to the hostel in New Town Edinburgh. This is by far the nicest facility we have stayed at yet but not necessarily the most pleasant. I greatly enjoyed our stay at the last two hostels simply for the picturesque settings in which they were placed. The girls are very excited because we don’t have to pack again until we have to go home. To make one last closing remark and completely random complaint, I must say how much I hate their currency system over here. I can hardly stand having so many coins in my pocket because they are heavy, cumbersome and are easily lost. I just want something that can easily be put into my wallet and lightweight. Mr. Voges on the other hand…
Clockwise: Dawn at Hadrain's Wall; Mrs. Frisk viewing the ruins at Lindisfarne; Dolly; part of our group look up at the ruins of the cathedral at Lindisfarne; Kate, Dolly, Andrea, and Mr. Lugg at the Lindisfarne ruins.
