Day 16: Journey Home

OK, to get a reasonable balance in number of pictures, today's diary starts yesterday - at least, with last night's celebrations. Our caterers get a day off as we are being fed by the staff of the SVP Camp.

With a "no singing" curfew at 10pm, we fitted some songs in after the end of supper, including some led by Nick (reliving our first Lindisfarne Pilgrimage in 1984); then Patrick led Father Abraham (and Euan looks a bit less embarrassed by his extrovert father).

Certificates were handed to all participants, also noting the significant contributions of organisers and helpers. Sam seems very pleased with his.

Thanks to the surname lottery, Aidan had to run from end to end of the room to hand out the certificates. To keep the noise down, we clapped in sign language, as demonstrated by Kevin.

And so, we gradually drifted off to bed.

Sunday morning, up with the lark, all packed ready for the coaches which would take most of us to Berwick station.

Fond farewells... the dispersal of our pilgrim family.

The first coach leaves.

Byeeee!!!

More farewells as the second coach loads.

A final "hand thing": Callum, on arrival demonstrated his ability to move his hands very fast in a sort of chopping motion, which later became nicknamed the "Bundles Flapjack Pile-on" move. When asked what this was, Callum replied "In all seriousness, no-one can do it as fast as me!"

Those leaving by car wave off the second coach.

A few pilgrims remained, to pack and despatch the van, to collect the last of the foolish pilgrims' belongings, and to have a final tour of the village. Aidan found his godson William (son of pilgrim Simon, whose family are here as part of the Viking re-enactments).

A real cup of coffee (and some wicked scones) at Pilgrims coffee shop...

...Michael and Susan couldn't resist either.

St Aidan's statue, on the eve of his feast day (which is transferred to today).

Past the priory ruins and the parish church.

St Cuthbert's Island from the beach - the cross looking like it's on the hills behind.

The vikings re-enacting the battles between Oswald (of Northumbria) and Penda (of Mercia). Pilgrim Simon is in the thick of it, with the yellow and green shield.

A final look at the Castle as we prepare to depart.

And so, we're all heading home, by various means.

And finally... John and Patrick stopped off in York on the way back to call on Monica and family (see day 2). And what should they find - the very first arrows from this year's pilgrimage still up outside the station, steering new arrivals towards the school where we started. Full circle!

Thanks to all our readers and correspondents - sorry we've not been able to reply to many messages (they've all been read, but it has been rather hectic!).