A path to Mount Grace

Trails cross over everywhere. This morning I went from the Cleveland Way to the pilgrim path to the shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace which is lined by the stations of the cross. The church dedicated to Mary also remembers Catherine of Aragon,one time wife of Henry 8. From there it was a step path through woodland to Mount Grace Priory itself this time on the trail of Marjorie Kempe. Whilst there I was ambushed by Gertrude Bell. Yesterday I read an article about her in the G2,saying how she'd lived at Redcar. Seems she was at Mount Grace too. Her book 'Syria' is signed by her as being written at Mount Grace. I remembered reading an older biography about her published by Virago decades ago. How many degrees of connection between me and these dangerous women?

There is red and white tape around the figure of Mary at Mount Grace. Unusually placed at the altar end of the remains of the great church, she is offering the Christ child back to God. But there's a warning: don't come too close, keep off. Can other women do this or not? How dangerous would that be?

Mary, Marjorie and other unnamed women
Are important to us:
We trace their stories through the stones
Left scattered by those of previous ages
Who didn't find them so valuable.
This is Mount Grace,
A grace filled place
Echoing now to a chain saw
Rather than Gregorian chant,
Its lawns welcoming picnickers
As children play hide and seek
Amongst the Silent stones.