Hadrians Wall

A last minute walk.

Stepping into someone’s shoes at the last minute due to misfortune.

Only two days of a long stroll across the northern reaches of Cumbria.

Through my home county, yet not somewhere I have ever walked. 

Or even thought of walking.

At last, there was sunshine in a so far miserable summer.  Benign weather matching the pace and scope of the landscape. 

My knowledge of Hadrian’s wall was from primary school trips and days out with overseas visitors.  Remains of forts and fortifications.  Underground heating systems, odd tiles of mosaics and eroded edifices.  That was to come later. 

The western end from Bowness on Solway shows little sign of Hadrian’s mark on pre Christian history.  The first noticeable structure on the second day between Crosby and Eden and Oldwall.  An apparent turf causeway which the map labels as the Roman Military Way, but guide books say it is the base of the wall.  Much of the masonry has been commandeered over the years in surrounding farm buildings, churches and the odd castle.

Most walk from east to west, but west to east means there is a slow flat introduction, which I think would be a tedious slog from Carlisle at the end.  As a beginning the Solway Firth on a benign June day, with the hills of Scotland to the left, is a leisurely introduction.   Time can be afforded  to take in the delightful villages and tea rooms along the way.

Village greens are not only found in the Cotswolds and southern confines.  Wander through this area of Cumbria north of the Lake District hills and there are plenty fit to adorn chocolate boxes and jigsaws.  Tea rooms abound with delicious homemade cakes and bakes.  Where the path passes through a farm those most enterprising diversifying with DIY cafes or refuelling boxes.

I only walked from Bowness on Solway to Walton.  May be one day I’ll get to do the rest.

Working for the lovely Walking Women, check them out for details of this and other holidays.  I’ll be walking with them again later this year, in Scarborough.