Hadrian's Wall path

I have been walking for the last three days on a section of Hadrian's Wall path, sort of.  I am using this path as a means to get me from the west side of the UK to the east so that I can pick up the Way of Light, one of the Northern Saint's trail to or from Durham. 

Because I walked this path 10 yeas ago, that time from east to west, I don't feel the need to walk every step along the path, and thus if a short cut presents itself, I will take it!

It was quite a surprise leaving Carlisle.  I spoke to someone days ago who complained about how industrial the city is.  However, my path took me across the River Eden and through Rickaby park, before passing the village of Rickaby.  The weather was damp, cold, and foggy, but it was pleasant walking nonetheless. 

Poppies at the tourist information office

Carlisle

Crossing the River Eden 

The path was through quiet countryside, and small villages.  I bumped into Kath on the outskirts of Newtown who advised me against walking down the road to Brampton, my destination for the night, because she considered it unsafe.  We parted, me to go to Newtown, and her to go home and get her car.  She met me and drove me the few kilometres to Brampton, on her way to collect her grandchildren. 

On the way - a muddy one!

Brampton 

Brampton 

Day two on this section began with a bit of a climb out of Brampton,  where, a few kilometres later, I came across a delightful surprise.   Brampton is not actually on the Hadrian's Wall path, but was the only place I could get a bed.  On my way back to the path I passed Lanercost.  This is an ancient Augustinian Priory, founded in 1166 complete with a fascinating history.  King Edward 1st visited Lanercost 3 times over the years and during the winter of 1306 / 07 spent 6 months here, being unable to travel for health reasons (and the weather!).  During this time the great seal was brought there, and for that time, Lanercost was the centre of English Government.

Graffiti  on the Cafe wall!

St Cecilia,  Patron Saint of music

Part of the priory ruins

Inside what is now the Parish Church, with the ruins of the priory outside.

Part of the Priory ruins

I decided to try and get a lift for a mile or two as I had spent so long at the priory, I was in danger of having to walk in the dark.  Helen stopped and gave me a lift.  She and her husband lived in Adelaide for a couple of years in the 60's, and one of her sons was born there.  She was on her way home after dropping her husband at a rehearsal for a choir concert that evening.  Talk about a small world.   

I resumed walking on the wall, heading for Greenhead - again, off the path, but the only place to stay.  I crossed the River Irthing on a special footbridge that had been helicopted in place so that no damage would be done to any of the archaeological site.  The Romans had three rivers to bridge when building the wall, the Irthing being the middle one.

The footbridge

The River Irthing

Winter has arrived!  On waking this morning, the blue car parked below my window was white!  The maximum temperature for the day was 4°, warm compared to what is to come!

You can see the temperatures expected for the next week!

The day began with a very steep climb out of Greenhead back to the wall.  This was a day with some steep little ascents and descents as I followed the wall.  Care had to be taken,  because a slip would have been very easy.  I also had to manage a number of stiles as I ambled across the fields, heading for a place called Once Brewed, and the hotel called Twice Brewed Inn where I was to reside for the second time in 10 years!  It's had an upgrade since the last time I was here, as has the price, but it is nice nonetheless.

These rocky outcrops are known as the whinsill

Steep descents and ascents.

More whinsill