Sunny Silloth

Silloth in Cumbria is the nearest shoreline to where I now live. It has a reputation for being windy. therefore I was apprehensive when I went there last week. I chose a sunny day and Silloth didn’t disappoint.

The tide was in which makes anywhere look better. The sun caught the waves rippling over the stone steps as I looked to the Scottish coastline along the Solway Forth. Birds swooped and dived searching for their lunch. There was hardly a breath of wind. God knows how to create beauty.

I went towards the deserted forgotten harbour once filled with ships exporting grain from the nearby flour mill. A R.N.L.I. jeep was being loaded onto a trailer. I wondered what the story was. Were they packing up for the winter? Dog-owners rambled, couples strolled. It was one of those days when one says ‘God’s in His heaven, all’s right when the world.’ Then I saw the mask on every face; maybe not all was well with the world!

Hexham

Met a fellow Christian writer at Hexham on Wednesday. An absolutely lovely day. We talked and talked but then we hadn’t seen each other for six months, so we needed to catch up. We had planned to walk round Hexham but then I became lazy and was enjoying the talk and meal so much, that i didn’t want to move.

I also travelled on a train for the first time for six months. Many restrictions in place. I wonder when and if we will ever get back to normal. Pandemics may come and pandemics may go but the Cumbrian and Northumbrian countryside is still beautiful, with autumn colours just beginning to appear.