LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Causeway crossing times for the day: 09:00am to 15:10pm

We arrived on the island at 10:00am and left at 2:00pm. It was a flat walk with good views in all directions. We started from the main car park, the old car park now only for disabled drivers and coaches. Sylvia stayed in the car reading her book. I walked through the village with Phil, Paul, Tracey, Clare and Tom, passed an old car completely covered in foliage, registration 'HEDGE 1'. Only the wheels and headlights were visible. We walked from the village along the road to the village, with excellent views across the bay to the mainland and Bamburgh Castle. Tom was shaken very well in his pram as we crossed the cobbled stones on the ramp up to the castle entrance. We spotted a man walking across the shallows of the coastline looking for marine 'goodies'. That lone figure was the ideal addition to produce a few good photos. An old upturned hull of a boat made a good shed near the NT pay booth. There were more steps up the castle entrance where Phil and I said 'goodbye for now' to Tom and the girls before a quick visit to all the castle rooms and the continuation of the walk with Paul. We walked around 'Castle Point' on the raised path, and past 'Broad Stones' and 'Brides Hole' to the fresh water pond before 'Emmanuel Head'. As we passed the 'hide' to the pond, two swans flew just over our heads to land on the pond with two huge splashes, a spectacular sight. After the pond we passed the large white pyramid on Emmanuel Point before entering the nature reserve at the kissing and farm gates with a bright yellow sign warning the unwary walkers of the matting properties of the Piri-Piri bur in clothing and fur. We continued along the edge of the reserve, the sand dunes of the northern coast. Turning the corner of the field at '9' we continued to the road past the English Nature information board. We walked with care along the road back to the car park. It was time for a cup of tea and further exploration of the village and priory before starting the car for the journey across the causeway before the tide makes the journey impossible.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Holy Island Village

Always check the tide times before making the journey to Holy Island.