A short foray along the coast of Northumberland left me with very strong impressions. The weather was good for two days. On the third it rained relentlessly and on the fourth, sea mist shrouded the river Tweed in Berwick making the bridges disappear into the ether.
I saw castles and sand dunes and fishing villages, all very beautiful. The most lasting memory though was wandering around Holy Island, most precious of places, and seeing the upturned herring boat-sheds on a grassy bank above the beach.
Some were restored and painted; others wrapped in snug tarpaulins and sadly there were a few slowly rotting in the North-East winds and rain.
It was here that I met by chance, the poet, historian and broadcaster Katrina Porteous. Katrina is an expert on these boat-sheds and has been keeping an eye on them for many years
My visit to Northumberland has left me with a strong desire. I want to walk along the Pilgrims Way to Holy Island, keeping close to the poles sticking out of the mud flats. And I want to find the 150-year-old boat-sheds next to Lindisfarne Castle.
