Our second day of walking on St Cuthbert’s Way began at Mount Hooley where we met Camilla our walk companion. It was an overcast day but not actually raining. However the overnight rain had made the ground wetter and filled the streams. This made for one or two moments of mild adventure peril: a muddy bit of uphill path and some boggy bits around the field edges. The most perilous moment was crossing a small streamlet which had steep muddy banks using two sticks.
We followed a farmer up a track as he herded his prize bull ahead of him. We kept well back. The path wound its way through small patches of woodland once again, well provided with various fungi. We had our lunch stop in one of these woods amongst golden leaves and fallen acorns.
In the second part of the walk we had Bob’s company which helped when we came to the road closed sign near Cessford Castle, as he’d already walked down the road earlier. The castle shell is still quite impressive and had defended the Borders for many years. The road was being dug up for broadband.
After that it was road all the way to Morebattle, which is a quiet small village. We ended the day at Cuthbert’s Café housed in an old church at the end of the village. There we said goodbye to Camilla as we return home tomorrow and she goes onto Lindisfarne at the weekend.
From Psalm 100
Go through God’s gates with thanksgiving, and into God’s courts with praise: be thankful.
A small church that has been used as a bus garage is now a café. Hospitality is offered here again; the roof is fixed and the kettle is on. Inside there’s still much to do but worship is offered here again and the door is open.
God of small overlooked places,
We give thanks for open doors:
Hear our prayers as we share tea and cake.
God grant a quiet night
JAL 25.09.2019