The Henson Journals

[200]

Wednesday, August 15th, 1928.

We left the Vicarage about 10 a.m., and motored to Longtown by way of Coldstream & Hawick. On the way we were held up by sheep, & by a puncture caused by the broken glass of one of the front–lamps, which fell off & splintered under the car. We reached Longtown about 1.30 p.m., & were there joined by Mrs Murray, & Eleanor with their party, Colonel & Mrs Crawford, with their son & daughter, & Mrs D. Durie. We drove at once to Lanercost Priory, & there lunched from our baskets in the refectory. The nave of the Augustinian Church has been adapted or use as a parish church, & the ruined chancel and transepts contain the tombs of the Dacres, who merged in the Howards. From Lanercost we went on to Naworth Castle. The Carlisles were shooting, but the 'seneschal' (a courteous elderly gentleman who had a considerable interest in me!) showed us the Hall & Dacre Tower. Naworth is truly a gem of feudal pride & splendour. Here our party separated. We made our way via Gilsland to Bewcastle, over a bad & winding road. We were rewarded by the spectacle of the famous Bewcastle Cross, standing erect in the Churchyard. It is dated 680 A. D. Then we went home over the moors to Jedburgh, and finally arrived at the Vicarage a few minutes after 9 p.m., having travelled 187 miles. The weather, though sometimes doubtful, was generally fine.