In 635AD Saint Aidan came from Iona, where I once had the place myself, and chose to found his monastery on the island of Lindisfarne. From here the Christian message flourished throughout the world.
I met Tess Kellman and her husband 6 years ago at Chesters Roman Fort. Tess uses a wheelchair and the one she had then was unlike any I had seen before. To better see an exhibit, she had the ability to raise the seat of the chair until she was nearly my eye level. I never knew such a ting existed! Naturally I had to ask questions, and was appreciative of her saying it improved her live when people were no longer literally talking down to her. We have stayed in touch on Facebook ever since so considering that her husband had passed earlier this year and always looking to make a FB friend more of a real one, when Tess saw I was heading North to Scotland asked if I was going to Newcastle, Yes was a no brainier. We coordinated dates with Tess offering to take me to the Holy Island.
What a great day! Amazing place, weather and craic. We ended up talking for 9 great hours.
The most important thing to remember when visiting Lindisfarne it remember that it’s an island. If you’re not paying attention you may not get off for hours when the tide covers the causeway
Inside the castle
Museum
St Cuthbert
And I was treated to lunch with the above view
Spending the day with Tess allowed be a much more intimate knowledge of the difficulty disabled folks content with that others might not even consider. When you have car keys, a hand bad and two walking sticks, just getting out of the car is hard work. Then around to the back of her van to get the wheelchair out. Her vehicle is equipped with a powered ramp that is lowered, then the straps securing the chair need removing, then, using the toggle on the chair she eases it down the ramp where she can get in. Raise the ramp, close hatch and good to go.
So glad we were able to catch up
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