Day Five – St Cuthbert’s Way
I woke up on my final day’s walking to thick fog. I had pitched my tent so I could get up in the morning and look out across the sea to Holy Island and I couldn’t see a thing.
I had plenty of time this morning as I had to wait for the tide to go out. I had checked and re-checked the tide times, looked at several different websites and was confident I had the safest start time for my walk across the sands. I decided I would treat myself to a proper breakfast. Sadly though much as I enjoyed it something was off – not the food which was excellent but my sense of taste.
It was time though to set out on the final stage of this walk. Holy Island and four nights in Marygate House retreat house was my reason and my reward for the previous days walking. I set out in my sandals down the track, once I got on to the sands I would walk in bare feet. It was still foggy but I was confident I would be able to see the poles showing me the way.
Just as I was taking off my sandals some other walkers arrived. It was the mother and son who I had noticed briefly on the road to Morebattle and again at Kirk Yetholm Hostel. The son had the biggest backpack I had seen. It was good though to share this final stage of the trail with them. WE didn’t always walk together each of us walked at our own pace but I was glad of the company.
The walk across the sands was full of expectation as to what lay ahead mixed with memories of the walk and distant memories of the days I had spent barefoot on the beach as a youth. Other thoughts you can read here
Holy Island did eventually appear and I was pleased to walk up the beach to the handily placed bench. I looked back to see my companions for the morning just appearing through the fog.
I had done it – it was a struggle and a few anxious moments were mixed in with the beauty of the countryside but the hard part was over.