Hadrian’s Wall – Final Day

A straightforward easy walk to Heddon on the Wall and the full team are on the starting blocks (sic!)

The day started well with a good breakfast at the Robin Hood Inn at East Wallhouses. Unfortunately, a minor incident occurred as Tom crushed Joan’s crisps as he loaded her rucksack – see the caption competition below and see if you can guess what Joanie is saying……

We weren’t far into our walk when we stopped at the Great Northern Reservoir to ’twitch’ a while when we heard the cry of ”Hello United States of America” at full voice. Turning round we saw our friends Inge and Miet aka the ’Belgian Bombers’ who we have met every day on the walk. The camaraderie and fun that we’ve had with these two ladies just epitomises long distance walks in the UK. It was lovely meeting these two ’famous Belgians’ and hopefully you had ad much fun as we did when we met up!

Today we were treated to lovely views across the Tyne Valley as we walked in the Roman ditch or alongside the Vallum either side of the wall which is now the military road and covered by asphalt.

The scenery whilst not specific to Hadrians Wall still pleases the eye and spirit and allows you time to appreciate the fact that many parts of the wall are so well preserved in the aftermath of 2000 years of agriculture and mankind’s progress!

Poppies alongside the wheatfields

After a pleasant lunch spot just after Rudchester Fort, we arrived at our destination, the Three Tuns in Heddon on the Wall.

Time then for a celebratory drink with Ritchie from Badger Adventures and who should be lurking in the pub but the Belgian Bombers! So it was a whisky for Tom and a whole cask of ale for Joanie!

Joan settles for a bottle of ’dog’

So it was back to our lodgings at the Robin Hood for a small snooze (Tom), an episode of Tipping Point for Ritchie, no doubt a shower for Joan, and blog writing for me!

Tonight is our celebratory dinner before taking Joan and Tom back to Carlisle so that they can continue their adventure in the Lake District.

Thanks to Joan and Tom for making this a fun trip, thanks to Inge and Miet for their humour along the way, and Ritchie from Badger Adventures for making it all happen in a seamless way.

Bon Voyage and until the next time.

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Hadrian’s Wall – day 3

Today’s journey took us from Chollerford to East Wallhouses (15k) and a moderate ascent of 200m over the first half.

As customary, you’ll see the opening photo but with an omission – that omission being Tom! While Joan and I took on the wall, Tom visited Vindolanda and Chesters Forts to brush up on his Roman history.

Joan on Chollerford Bridge

Before we set off we took a detour down to the Roman bridge abutment to discover the symbol of Roman prosperity!

The symbol of Roman wealth and prosperity!!

Walking on to St Oswald’s we took a quick visit to the church and Heavenfield battle site where King Oswald representing ‘Christianity’ defeated the ‘Pageans’, thus setting himself up as a future St Oswald and even has a walk named after him leading to Lindisfarne. The sundial on the wall wasn’t working (due to no sun!), but the Roman Altar was quite impressive as was the pocket sized church organ.

St Oswalds Church

The ‘non’ sundial

Roman Altar

Pocket sized church organ

Panoramic view from St Oswalds looking out towards Carter Bar and North Northumberland

After St Oswalds we followed the ditch line towards Newcastle and some very deep examples of the Vallum. At just about this point, Ritchie and Tom arrived with the bus and Tom joined us for the last couple of km. On arrival at the Robin Hood Inn, Tom was heard to announce that he was ‘pleased to have completed all three days so far’ 🙊

Ditch gets deeper and more impressive.

Tom looks suitably ‘bedraggled’ after his Herculean effort while Joan looks as fresh as a daisy but ready for a local brew of ‘Rivet Catcher’

One more day ahead of us to Heddon on the Wall – check Badger Adventures for your next adventure.

Hadrian’s Wall – day 2

From our hotel in Gilsland we drove back to Steel Rigg car park ready to continue our Badger Adventure .

Joan and Tom ready for day 2.

The weather was forecast to be cooler and our first hour was to climb Peel Crags and Milecastle 39 (Castle Nick) before gaining a view of Crag Lough Sycamore Gap. The Sycamore was made famous as a star in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner.

Joan and Tom aka Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman – and the sycamore tree as himself!

Walking up to the crag we passed the Crag Lough with some stunning views through the crags to the water. No need for a huge wall here with the crag being such a good defense against the marauding barbarians from over the border into Scotland.

View from Steel Rigg to Crag Lough.

A few more ’undulations’ and we traverse Hotbank Crags, Cuddy’s Crags and then Housesteads Crag. Coming along the wall you are greeted by the archeological site of Housesteads Fort. The Fort is one of the most important Roman sites anywhere in Europe with well preserved ruins of the granary, communal latrines, commanders quarters and much more.

Housesteads Fort / home to up to 1000 Roman infantrymen and cavalry.

The next portion of todays 19km walk took us past Busy Gap and the impressive restoration work of John Clayton in the 17th century.

Sewingshields Crag just before Turret 35a and a saxon burial chamber / crypt.

Leaving the crags behind we picked up the ditch on the north side of the wall and the vallum on the south. More sightings of Hen Harriers and a Goshawk kept our journey alive with wildlife.

Soon we arrived at Brocolitia Fort and the Temple of Mithras and the sun God. After a quick prayer we hastened our way onwards to Limestone Corner, the most northernmost point of the Roman Empire.

Temple of Mithras with altar at the far end and two Sun God worshippers!

The last part of our Badger Adventure took us along a relatively flat part of country to Chesters Fort and Roman Baths. Ritchie (Chief Badger) was waiting for us in the bus ready to adjourn to the Crown Inn in Humshaugh for libation of local ale and northern sustenance!

So another great day with Joan and Tom and ready to return to Chesters first thing tomorrow to explore the Fort and Baths before our 15km walk to East Wallhouses.

Why not tailor your Badger Adventure by following the link to the website and see what you can do!

Badger Adventures

See you tomorrow!

Hadrian’s Wall – day 1

Our plan today was to walk the wall from Gilsland to Once Brewed / 15km or 9.5m.

As you can see, the day was a rollercoaster with many ’undulations’ but mostly a straight line!

Joan and Tom started with a few minor comfort niggles but nothing to cause any concern. So off we went.

Our first major point of interest (other than the Badger Sett – alas not the home of Badger Adventures), was Thirlwall Castle -the 14th century fortified home of the Thirlwall family to protect their amassed wealth from military campaigns from the Border Reivers who loved nothing better than taking whatever they could steal. The fortified home was built almost entirely from stone from Hadrian’s Wall but sadly after 300 years was sold for £4000 and fell into disrepair.

Soon after we Headed onto the wall and got our first real sense of the way ahead.

The Northumberland scenery also began to emerge in all its glory. Vast open countryside, big skies, and a 2000 year old feat of engineering, vision and determination.

The Walltown Crags in the distance behind Jane and Tom.

The undulations became a frequent companion if not friendly!

A little before 1630 we reached our end point of day 1 and retired to The Milecastle Inn at Twice Brewed for a small amount of imbibing before a drive back to Gilsland Spa Hotel for our overnight and dinner.

So, day 1 completed and looking forward to day 2 and even more spectacular scenery and wall.

If you are interested in this walk or any other UK trail, why not look at Badger Adventures for details of how you can join us on your adventure.

Follow us tomorrow for the next instalment of Hadrian’s Wall with Badger Adventures

Hadrian’s Wall day -1

Met with our clients Joan and Tom today in Penrith before driving to Gilsland in Northumberland to settle into our hotel and go through a briefing pre dinner.

Van to carry luggage and also to accompany us along the way to help with any tired legs or excursions that may take our eyes en-route – all part of the Badger Adventures experience.

Meanwhile, after a short pre dinner walk to the River Irthing Gorge it was a full dinner and a swapping of travel stories and experiences as we got to know each other ahead of the walk.

For more information see Badger Adventures

Hadrians Wall – dry weather ordered by Badger Adventures!

 

Well it looks as if Ritchie (Chief Badger) at Badger Adventures has ordered the weather for our Hadrian’a Wall Adventure this coming week. No rain forecast until after we have finished will help us to enjoy the majestic surroundings of the wall in beautiful Northumberland.

The wall is northern Europes largest surviving Roman monument and is a UNESCO World heritage site.

Why not experience the surroundings with Badger Adventures or even one of the other adventures on offer in the UK or further afield?

Visit the site at Badger Adventures Adventures

Keep checking the page over the next week for more excerpts and photos from the adventure.

Thank you

Malcolm

Hadrian’s Wall with Badger Adventures

Really looking forward to starting a 4 day guided walk on Hadrian’s Wall for Badger Adventures. The walk takes in the major forts at Housesteads, Chesters, Vindolanda, Birdoswald as well as the famous Sycamore tree at Sycamore Gap – the tree made famous in the film of Robin Hood starring Kevin Costner – some say the tree was less wooden!

For details of this walk and other UK and overseas walks check the website Badger Adventures 

Photos will follow when we start on Saturday 👍

Day 14 the Final Day Coast to Coast – September 2016

The final day is always a mixed blessing – soreness in the bones, some thoughts perhaps of getting back to work or normality, even some thoughts of ‘never again’! Nonetheless, the day is here and we leave Egton Bridge to head for Bay Town. The day is relatively straightforward with no big climbs other than Grosmont hill and then a gentle meander through Littlebeck Wood with a halt at the Falling Foss Tea shop to entertain us.

Once past Littleneck, we climb up on to the last piece of the NY Moors before seeing the coast in front of us. It always looks a similar sight to the one we left two weeks ago in St Bees – but that was Wainwright’s tidy mind to give the challenge some symmetry.

So as we walked into Robin Hood’s Bay, all that remained was to walk down to the beach, wet our feet in the North Sea and fling our pebbles carried from the Irish Sea at St Bees into the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay.

The triumphant Coasters September 2016

Apologies for the delay in posting but as some of you know, we had a close family bereavement on the penultimate day and this overshadowed everything over the last week.

Well done to all the Coasters and may the memories, good and bad, last longer than your blisters!

Coast to Coast – Days 10-13 Richmond to Osmotherly, Blakey Ridge and Egton Bridge

Richmond to Osmotherly is one a 26 mile slog across the Vale of Mowbray – and somehow comes as a ‘surprise’ to many Coasters for some reason – it is well documented as a hard day and THAT it is. With and average daily speed of 2 mph so far on the C2C  this promises to be a long 13 hour day unless you pick up the pace when you can on the flat.

Alan waits patiently for departure in Richmond – he obviously knows something!

I’m always struck that people who embark on the C2C don’t realise how hard a challenge it is. Henry Stedman says “let us be clear – the Coast to Coast is a tough trek, particularly if undertaken in one go”. Ramblers describe it as ‘challenging’ and they’re not wrong – so it’s always a bit of a surprise that Coasters suddenly make comments about not having time to take photographs, or that it’s a tough day, or that it’s not a race. It’s simply a matter of making sure that you get into your lodgings in time for a shower, meal and recuperation in good time.

So the day across the Vale of Mowbray is long and flat and can take up to 12 hours unless you manage your route well and take advantage of the flat and easily walked terrain.

Still a fair way to go yet Ladies!! Not sure Tai Chi, will help!

 

Well – there you go – 25 miles done and that’s how you may feel!

So we made it for showers, blister dressing and a hobble to the Golden Lion for a sleep infused meal.

Coming up next is a superb 20 mile day across the Cleveland Hills and on to the N Yorks Moors with some morale crushing ascents and descents. We left Bob and Christine to make their way to Blakey Ridge by vehicle due to tired muscles, sore knees and a desire to complete the remaining two days – a sensible option!

The view to The Wainstones from the top of Kirby

Today’s pace was slow at less than 2 mph (not helped by tea and scones before lunch at Lord Stones) but that’s what the group craved and that’s what they got. Nobody admitted to the fact that the cream scones were weighing heavily on their body’s but the pace gradually slowed. When we hit the flat old rail track, it slowed dramatically apart from the spearhead contingent of Steve, Alan, Paul, Sam, Sue, and Kathy who kept up a consistent and steady pace to the end.

Spot the Famous Grouse!

Food and drink at the Lion at Blakey is plentiful and good so another good meal and rest was the recipe for most!

The next day is a very easy 10 miles to Egton Bridge – downhill all the way – yes that’s true. So we arrived mid afternoon with a lot of time to recuperate and relax before our final day of 17 1/2 miles. Breakfast is later in this sleepy part of the U.K. So a leave time of 0845 looks likely and at our rate of walking I estimate arrival into the top of the Bay at around 1700.

As far as I’m aware at the moment, all 13 Coasters will be walking so that will give this group an 84% achievement rate – ahead of the average – so fingers crossed!

Coast to Coast – Day 9 – Reeth to Richmond

Swifts gather on the wires contemplating their imminent departure to the Sahara Desert in one flight.

Well here we are with another easy stroll through delightful countryside alongside the River Swale – 10 1/2 miles of recovery, which  is just as well because we have 25+ miles across the Vale of Mowbray tomorrow. Overall, today’s walk is not a spectacular day as we leave the Pennines behind but with the sun shining, it makes an exceedingly pleasant one.

As with most of our days, we don’t get very far without paying homage to a very important place – this one is no more than 15 metres from our hotel but was still visited!

The most important trip of any day for some. This one no more than 15m from our hotel door at the very start of our day.

So having spent a penny or two, we were off. A nice easy day to Richmond and the largest settlement on the C2C. A busy market town built around the 11th century castle built by Alan the Red.

The route to Richmond is truly uneventful, with few hills and a couple of pleasant villages interspersed with lush hay meadows. The real highlight is arriving above Richmond town and seeing the castle in the centre – and of course a lofty view to our next destination – the Cleveland Hills and Osmotherly way off some 25 miles as the crow flies!

So little to report today – no new injuries or mal de mer to contemplate – the only contemplation being where to eat this evening in Richmond.

108 miles under our feet with approximately 84 to tread.