Castles, churches, battlegrounds and . . .

. . . Rock Art.

As we woke to a sea fret, we knew this was not a day for coastal walking. So, we headed inland and meandered around the Borders. We started at Norham Castle, a very impressive castle, on the Scotland border, that was repeatedly attacked and besieged during the 13th and 14th Centuries. The church of St Cuthbert in Norham is fascinating, yet another place that the coffin of St Cuthbert was rested in the flight from the Vikings. Then we went on to Etal Castle, a very different place as this was a fortified Tower House, but interesting all the same (and there was a good tearoom in Etal!)
 
Then we had two detours – Gordon got to go at long last to Flodden Field, the place of the Battle between Scotland and England in 1513.
 
And I got to find some wonderful Cup and Ring Rock Art at Routin Linn. There were no signs, we just had to follow the map and other people’s footsteps, and there it was in a clearing in woodland close to some iron age forts – a large outcrop of sandstone carved with many markings. Quite remarkable.
  
So my blip is not a castle, church, or battlefield, impressive as they all were. But is this piece of rock sitting there quietly, as it always has done, and some markings made so long ago – understated, but wonderful in its mystery – we don’t know and probably never will know – Who? Why?  But it is there . . . and we can wonder.