25 Oct 2013: Wylam to Newcastle

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

I was expecting to get up this morning to clear skies and a crisp frosty morning – but sadly that wasn’t the case and once again the heavens opened and we stepped out of the B&B into grey skies and a deluge of rain.   We followed the river Tyne towards the coast and by lunchtime, it started to dry up and eventually the sun came out.   Stopped off in Lemington for a cup of coffee and a cherry scone with butter (actually the latter was a thick margarine sandwich – a bit of a mistake!).   By the time we got to Newcastle, the sun was shining and the city looked its best.   Continued along the Walk (by now Hadrian was completely not in evidence) for another, rather hard, 4 miles to the end of the walk at Wallsend.   As we arrived, a huge thunderstorm crashed overhead, so it was an atmospheric end to a spectacular walk.   Took the Metro to Whitley Bay for overnight at Ainsley B&B.

A truly memorable walk, highly recommended.

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

An unprepossessing start to the day at Wylam		Yes the child on the horse really is carrying a GPS unit…
Metro bridge in Newcastle		Looking back to the “Blinking Eye” footbridge and gathering storm
Team photo at the end of the Wall at Segedunum Roman fort		Mission accomplished – next instalment starts 31 March 2014…

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line

24 Oct 2013: Corbridge to Wylam

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

Overnight last night in Corbridge which was a charming town.   Excellent pub meal and interesting shops.   After a steep climb back up to the Wall this morning, a very straightforward walk alongside the Wall, which became increasingly indistinct the further East we went.   By the end of the day, Hadrian’s Wall had pretty much become just a ditch, and even then only visible occasionally.   This was the first day when it didn’t rain at all and boots almost started to dry out.   Warm late autumn sunshine made it a pleasure.   At the end of the day, caught the first glimpses of Newcastle in the distance, then walked down to the banks of the river Tyne.   Slightly counter-intuitively, we turned back West and walked along the Wylam Waggonway (and the birthplace of George Stephenson, now a National Trust property) to our overnight at Wormald House, in Wylam.   Dinner tonight at the nearby Fox and Hounds pub.

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

I somehow don’t think this will fly…		Big skyscape near Vallum Farm teashop
The man in the mirror…		Plenty of this over the last few days..
Above Whittle Dene reservoir		Last of summer…Red admirals on ivy near Vindobala fort

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line

23 Oct 2013: Haydon Bridge to Corbridge

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

An easy, but long, walk.   Mostly close to General Wade’s military road (some of which was built on the foundations of Hadrian’s Wall).   Managed to dodge most of the showers though did get caught in a couple of downpours.   But after the rain there was sun, and some spectacular rainbows, especially to the East of Chollerford, near where the Hadrian’s Wall path joins the end of St Oswald’s Way.   Lots of interesting fungi en route, including Waxcaps, which are apparently a feature of Hadrian’s Wall and show that the ground has been undisturbed for centuries.   The tea shop at Chesters fort was closed for the winter so we didn’t visit the ruins.   But the cafe down the road at the petrol station was excellent.   Overnight tonight at Norgate B&B in Corbridge and dinner at the Bull.

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

Last night’s B&B – the Old Repeater Station.   Quirky		Waxcaps near Milecastle 30
Spectacular rainbow near Heaven Fields		I’m sure there is a cure for this…
Roadsign at Haydon open to several different interpretations		Halton Castle – with quite possibly the tallest chimneys I have ever seen outside of those on a coal-fired power station

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line

22 Oct 2013: Holmhead to Haydon Bridge

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

An excellent day’s walking.   Plenty of “real” wall visible and added bonus of unexpectedly meeting friends at Housesteads fort towards the end.   In this section, Hadrian’s wall is built along the top of the Great Whin Sill – which makes for spectacular views.   The weather was a bit mixed, with warm sunshine mixed with torrential downpours.   Pete managed to collect some 23 geocaches, which was a personal record and pretty epic.   Passed the halfway point a couple of miles to the west of Housesteads.   Magnificent views North into Northumberland – huge expanses of not very much..  Excellent overnight stay at The Old Repeater Station, complete with chilli beer!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

I never look my best in the morning..		Daily life on the Hadrian’s Wall path!
At the top of Winshield Crags, 1100 feet, highest point on the Wall		Sycamore Gap.   Eat your heart out, Kevin Costner…
Sunshine after the rain, at Housesteads fort		Very wet trudge through gathering dusk, at the end of the walk

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line

21 Oct 2013: Walton to Holmhead

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

Third day on Hadrian’s Wall.   It was one of those “ a long way in a long time” days.   Covered just 10 “elapsed” miles on the Wall in 8 hours.   Sp we weren’t exactly rushing – but we did stop a few times to collect geocaches (7 today) and at a very pleasant teashop at Lanercost priory and then again at Birdoswald fort.   Main feature of the day was the rain – the day started fine but overcast then at about noon, it started raining hard and basically didn’t stop until about 5pm.   So now we are in Holmhead guest house drying out before going to pub at 8pm.   We did see the first “real” wall near Turret 54A (look it up!) – up to now it has been mostly hillocks and ditches as remains of the old turf wall in the Western section of the Wall.   Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended, despite rain!   And excellent evening meal at pub in Greenhead.

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

A rather macabre streetsign at our overnight stop..		The first bit of “real” all – albeit unspectacular..near Turret 54A
Lanercost priory		Hare Hill – a bit wet..
Close up of Wall – and beyond – at Birdoswald		Railway bridge at Gilsland

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line

20 Oct 2013: Carlisle to Walton

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

Second day on Hadrian’s Wall.   For the first time, about five miles West of Carlisle, we actually saw the first signs of a structure on the path that looked vaguely as if it might have been Hadrian’s Wall (up to here, it has been mostly fields and gentle hills – a distinct lack of towering ramparts!).   A very enjoyable walk, although we didn’t exactly rush it.   Stopped in Carlisle to visit a petrol station to pick up lunch, batteries and coffee.   Enjoyed a coffee break in the park while Pete found the second of today’s nine geocaches.   Staying at Low Rigg farm B&B tonight – very nice, very rural and very definitely a working farm.   Taxi to pub at 7:30…

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

link to attachment, medium, centre

Enjoying a coffee in park at Carlisle		M6 near Carlisle.   Goodness knows how many times I have driven past here and never looked up..
By the river Eden west of Carlisle		Hadrian’s honesty box at Blea Tarn..
First real signs of the Wall, near Blea Tarn		Late afternoon sunshine near Walton

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line

19 Oct 2013: Bowness to Carlisle

Today’s location (the red circle and cross shows where I am at the moment)		GPX based track of today’s walk (click here to access downloadable file)

Commentary

The first day of our Hadrian’s Wall walk.   Stayed overnight at Carlisle then took the no. 93 bus to Bowness and walked back to Carlisle again.   A very easy start to the walk!   Mostly flat, along the Solway plain, with good views North into Galloway and South into the North Lakes.   The going was easy underfoot – a bit muddy in places but very well signposted.   Only one shop en route (at the caravan park between Port Carlisle and Glasson) but a good shelter and vending machine for tea and coffee at Drumburgh.   Visited art show in Beaumont church.   Very rustic!  Staying at Knockupworth Hall tonight and going to a nearby hotel for dinner tonight.   Am hungry already!

Today’s photos (click to enlarge)

NB small images only today as no WiFi and am working over EDGE mobile phone connection

The start of the walk at Bowness		You are never far from a nuclear power station….
So what more could you need??		Not to be attempted at high tide!
Edward I at Burgh by Sands		A bizarrely elaborate stile! Just outside Carlisle

The previous day’s blog follows below the blue line