Lady's Well

Sarah led the group walk today in Holystone Woods.  It was quite short so we made an extension to Lady's Well.  This was once a watering place beside the Roman Road from Bremenium  in Redesdale to the coast.  It was walled round and given its present shape either in Roman or Mediaeval times.  It is said that St Ninian, the fifth century apostle of the border is associated with the site and with other wells beside Roman roads in Northumberland.  The name Lady's Well came into use after the first half of the 12th century when Holystone became the home of a priory of Austustinian Canonesses dedicated to Virgin Mary.  The well was repaired and adorned with a cross, and the statue was brought from Alnwick in the 18th and 19th centuries.  The site is now maintained by the National Trust. 

It looks quite peaceful but has an eerie feeling.

While Mr C got out his senior rail card to check it was still valid for the demo in London against austerity on 20 June, I got out my phone to check if we were free - we are booked to do a friend's last munro that weekend.  Mr C has not been on a demo since Free the Soweto Six.  He is getting fired up now!