Another Stage of Hadrian's Wall

Continuing with the theme of Hadrian's Wall we continued from where we left off last week at Burgh by Sands. This involves using 2 cars with Peter leaving his at Carlisle and Tom taking his to Burgh by Sands. Looking over us in this photograph is King Edward 1 and this statue was erected in 2007 to celebrate 700 years since his death. The Latin inscription on the monument describes him as "the greatest English King".  

The weather forecast which everybody had checked before we left had said it would be clear and dry all day so we were surprised 15 minutes after we set off to find the rain starting. I was the only one who had packed a waterproof coat so we decided to shelter under a huge Oak tree. For the next 45 minutes it was a case of seeking shelter under various tress, but eventually the rain disappeared and the weather gradually improved. 

The walk took as along various fields including this Maize field. Tom thought they were Turnips.

This is a most unusual Stile with metal steps and wooden gates

Due to a severe landslip on the first part of the walk next to the River Eden resulting in a diversion it was almost into Carlisle before we hit the Eden River. The first bridge we passed under was the old Waverley Line railway bridge which according to Tom he has read in the Cumberland News that it is to be opened up as a walk and cycle way in the next couple of years. This is a much more attractive bridge than the modern railway bridge shown below.

The main west coast line to Scotland and a very dull looking bridge that needs urgent need of attention before the trees growing out of it do severe damage.

At various points along the walk next to the Eden there were exercising places including these bars. By the look of the surrounding vegetation they have not been used much in recent years and will soon disappear. Tom had a go but could not even pull himself up to bar level. 

In the distance was Dixon's Chimney and a reminder for me of my office for 5 years with EMS Cargo as my office was situated within 50 yards of the chimney. It was built by Peter Dixon in 1836.

Carlisle Castle which is over 900 years old and has been involved in many a battle between the English and the Scots. It is now the headquarters of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

At the end of the walk we had to cross the main road which is a dual carriageway next to Carlisle Castle. Rather than walk up the steps on the bridge it was decided to use the lifts at each end. This must be a sign of old age but after a 7.5 mile walk I must admit a series of steps are not the most welcoming sight. Another good walk slightly marred by the rain at the start but again finished in grand style with a pint in the Greyhound Inn at Burgh by Sands. 

First Stage of Hadrian's Wall Walk

Another beautiful Wednesday and we headed off to walk the first section of the Hadrian's Wall Walk from Bowness-on-Solway to Burgh by Sands a distance of 8 miles. This will be the third section of this walk we have done in recent weeks. Some of us walked the entire 84 miles in 2004 but I doubt if we could do it in a week these days. 

As we drove to Bowness-on Solway the tide was coming in and in no time at all the estuary was full as the tide came in at a very fast rate. In the distance on the Scottish side of the Solway Firth is Chapelcross Atomic Power Station now decommissioned and without its cooling towers. 

At Port Carlisle which is a mile from the start we met up with an old guy who has a little business going taking photographs of the walkers going past his house in front of this sign he has made. He has details of the distance from there to many places in the world and then displays them on the boards. He was quite a character and we enjoyed a pleasant chat with him. We decided to show Denmark in Western Australia where Niall spends half his year as it is much more exciting than putting Langholm 25 miles. He has a collection box and did quite well out of us.  

And this is our entrepreneur.  

We soon reached the village of Drumburgh where we came upon Drumburgh Castle , a fortified house with an entrance at first-floor level only to make it easy to defend. The stone it is built from was taken from Hadrian's Wall.

If you look hard enough you could possibly see Whita Hill and the Langholm Monument in the distance. Our walk ended at the Greyhound Inn at Burgh by Sands and a very welcome pint.

Hadrian's Wall - Newtown to Carlisle

We decided today to continue from where we left off 2 weeks ago and walk from Newtown to Carlisle along Hadrian's Wall. The weather was glorious and we left 1 car in Rickerby Park at the end of the walk and started at Newtown.  

Much of the walk was along these lanes which Tom and I argued over. I said we were walking on the old wall as we were told by a local that much of this part of the wall was only an earth embankment but Tom disputed this and to be honest I don't know who was right or wrong. It was an enjoyable argument as all are with Tom with loads of humour and banter. 

This cottage was built in 1652 and it was the present owner who told us that the wall in this area was mostly an earth embankment. 

This is a great idea and we spent £5 on drinks and snacks 

This part of the walk must have been the raised embankment with the Vallum on either side. 

An enjoyable pint in the Stag Inn at Low Crosby

Next to the River Eden we walked through a newly cut field of Haylage and the smell was wonderful.

A short stop at Linstock for a drink and a snack 

This Folly in a field at Linstock was built by a man called George Head. His house was nearby and the gatehouse has a coat of arms showing "Study Quiet".