"If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us that a golden slipper on a gouty foot." ~ John Bunyan

Pilgrim ~ defined by Oxford dictionaries as "a person who journeys to a sacred place or a person travelling to a place of particular personal interest". St. Cuthbert's Way is a pilgrimage many people take each year; about 100 per day through the summer months. It is a joy to travel these old pathways with your best friend, taking in fresh scenery every day. There is much to think about as we walk long distance every day. There is the satisfaction of reaching your destination at day's end, but passing through each village and greeting fellow hikers along the way, I'm reminded that this world is not my home. As we cross over to Holy Island in a couple of days, my hope is that I have gained knowledge, shone some light along the way and made a decent companion for Andrew. It's hard to believe we have only 2 days left until we reach Lindisfarne, so I am trying to slow the pace a bit and breathe deeply.
We left Kirk Yetholm this morning and 6 hours later, after many hills and extreme wind, we have arrived in Wooler (meaning well on a hill). This little spot has been settled since the Stone Age.
My phone has recorded 173 floors, 20.1 km and just over 30,000 steps today!

This is a panoramic shot that Andrew took on our walk today. It's just so pretty here.

On the outskirts of Kirk Yetholm.

And we start the ascent - note the acorn on the post indicating the marker for The Pennine Way. Maybe next year??

If you can read the sign, one side says Welcome to Scotland and the other Welcome to England. Today we crossed over into jolly old England!

And while I had a little break in the bushes, Andrew found some sweet lambs to photograph.

The hills we walked through today are known as the Cheviot Hills, mostly located in the Northumberland National Park in northeast England. The largest peak is 2,674 ft high but we avoided that one.

Lots of paths but we follow the cross.

 So windy up on the moors.

 My thought was, maybe I can get through the gate without having to climb another stile, but unfortunately the gate wouldn't open, so over I went.

 Lunchtime!! A stile has more than one use.

Imagine the next photo covered with this beautiful heather in full flower. Almost worth a trip back in a couple of months to see!

And we even had some blue sky today! The heathland was very barren.

 Another shot of the heathland. This will all be that lovely pinky/purple colour in a couple of months.

 Almost to Wooler - looks like those sheep need a shepherd!

 This was a surprise that Andrew pointed out.

And another surprise - an adder sunning himself on the path. Highly venomous but thankfully not aggressive.

And a bunny with a sad face.

Our little snug for tonight - Tilldale House.