Sunday 29 December 2019. During our drive from Edinburgh to Selby we thought we’d stop for lunch at Lindisfarne, or Holy Island as it is commonly called, a tidal island off the coast of Northumbria. It is separated from the mainland by a causeway, which can be crossed at times of low tide. Happily that day the tide was low between the eminently sensible hours of 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. It is a very curious thing nonetheless to cross a road that within a short while will be swallowed by the sea… Safely arrived at the visitors’ car park on the island, we set out for a quick look at the ruined 12th-century Lindisfarne Priory, a descendent of the earlier monastery of St Cuthbert and Lindisfarne Gospels fame. The priory is quite impressive, though a mere look sufficed. Just as interesting perhaps was the small stone church next to it, St Mary the Virgin. From the churchyard the view to the mainland is lovely. Sadly we did not have enough time to visit the castle and still make Selby by sunset.