Sabbatical Diary – Day 3

View across to the mountains of the Lake District after coming down from St Bees Lighthouse. (Similar to yesterday’s photo! Sorry.)

A great day. Had a bit of a lie in, then a quiet prayerful do-it-yourself breakfast. Raining when I set off, but only for about half an hour. Lovely run up the Cumbria coast, with Seascale, St Bees, and Whitehaven the highlights. The Solway Coast was wonderful too, and new to me, with miles of beautiful, deserted beaches from Allonby to Silloth and beyond.

Am now at Glencaple, a little South of Dumfries, overlooking the River Nith.

Riding slowed by horses, cows, roadworks and stunning views through the day. All good. 145 miles. 8 lighthouses.

Some great conversations with folks along the way! A German photographer, a lady farmer leading her cattle in for milking, two ladies out for a walk, Mr Whippy, and a few folks in the hotel interested in the trike all feature.

And finally …

Continuing with Bede’s thoughts on Cuthbert, whom he obviously loves dearly and respects immensely. Tonight’s gem was Bede explaining that Cuthbert could speak crow language! He had a word with two crows who had stolen barley that he had grown on his hermitage island and sent them away. One came back repentant, and he said they could come back so long as they behaved themselves, which they did. And brought him a gift as a thank you. Wonderful!