Saturday 29th April - Hadrians Wall Day 3 - From Lanercost Priory to Twice Brewed

Excellent walking conditions and at last we found the wall! Our route was through Birdoswald, Gilsland and then over the much steeper bits at  Walltown Crags, Crawford Crags and Windshield Crags. 

Lanercost Priory

Gently back up hill to re-join the path.

At last we found the Wall! this is at Banks and the tallest part of the wall still standing.

The information board puts it into perspective. This is what it would have look like 2000 years ago.

Bankshead

Another information board

We had a coffee stop at Birdoswald - the crags in the distance come into view.

Footbridge over the River Irthing

Through the village Gilsand - the Vallum or ditch.

We went of the track to have lunch in Greenhead then steeply up to the crags near Carvoran. The start of the Crags with the wall going along the top.

A sheer drop down but the Romans still had their mighty wall on top.

Then it was down.....and up again.

The disused Cawfield quarry

The trig point on Windshield Crags, the highest point on the whole walk.

Then down to the Twice Brewed Inn for a rest on after a very demanding day.
Miles Walked 15.1
Fitbit Steps 39755

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 4

Friday 28th April Hadrians Wall Day 2 - From Carlisle to Lanercost Priory

Another day where the was very little evidence of the wall. It was possible to see where it might have been and some evidence of the ditches either side of it. Gentle rambling countryside for the most part.

The Fern Lee, our B&B for the night. This re-opened 5 weeks ago after the floods in December 2015. The water level during the flood was above the letter box in the door.

Back on the track and over the Memorial Bridge in Carlisle and through Rickerby Park

Soon we were crossing the rather quiet M6

Through Linstock to the River Eden. This part of the footpath is officially closed due to flood damage. Clearly it is still being used by the locals and we had no difficulties on it.

The damaged riverbank

Through Crosby on Eden and up to The Military Road

 Past Bleatarn where it is believed this hole in the ground was a quarry for building the wall.

We knew that there were no pubs or cafes on this section of the walk so we took a short diversion to Carlisle Airport and the Stobart Café.  Excellent value for money. This is a private airport and owned by the Eddie Stobart organisation. Their huge distribution centre was nearby.

Past the site of Turret 56 with a rather grand view over the landscape below.

On through Walton

A new born calf

To arrive at the next B&B adjacent to Lanercost Priory

Miles Walked 14.5
Fitbit Steps 33555

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 3

Thursday 27th April Hadrians Wall Day 1 - From Bowness on Solway to Carlisle

Hadrians Wall Day 1 - From Bowness on Solway to Carlisle

We started the day in Newcastle and then caught the train across to Carlisle before finally getting a taxi to start the walk at Bowness On Solway. An easy first day, very flat and the weather was relatively cool. There is virtually no evidence of the wall to be seen on this part of the walk. Charles's rucksack and not appeared at Exeter airport but was subsequently found there. To their credit Flybe delivered it to our bed and breakfast in Carlisle where it was waiting for us on our arrival.

At the start.

Port Carlisle a fascinating place and once a hive of activity

Past the Lake District to the south

Near Carlisle there were four lines of pylons

The River Eden - officially this part of the footpath is closed but we completed it without any difficulty.

Tom get his passport stamped at the Banks Centre.

Miles Walked 16.5
Steps 39671 fitbit steps

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 2

Tuesday 25th April Hisley Bridge

A snow storm as we crossed to the other side of Dartmoor! To Holne Brake. Down the track to Hisley Bridge. Following the River Bovey down stream and on to the lane which led into Lustleigh, through Wrayland. This is such a picturesque little village. Into the park where everything is now read for the May Day celebrations and another May Queen's name will be added to the stone. Up through the valley and back onto the road to Pethybridge. Back through the woods to Hisley Bridge. Lots of bluebells on the walk - there are a bit more advanced on this side of the moor. Lunch in the Kestor Inn at Manaton. With Brenda, Anne, Eleanor, Jane, Dianne, Mike, Jon, Terry and Charlie.

Hisley Bridge

Alongside the River Bovey

A house porch in Wrayside

Lustleigh Church

Granite Tombestones

Lustleigh

The maypole ready for the celebrations in a few days time

This car got stuck on a boulder in the narrow lanes

More bluebells

Wednesday Evening 19th April Hillson's House

Starting from Harford Moor Gate we walked back down the road past the church to Harford Bridge and then through the gate to follow the river.  A climb up through some rough ground to get to Tristis Rock just as the sun was about to disappear. On and upwards to Hillson's House. Then a direct route east to the River Erme.  As we reached the steep bit down it was noticed that Cassie (the dog) had gone missing (she has done this before). Kevin decided to go back to Hillson's House to try and find her. We continued down and crossed the river just north of Piles Copse. As we started to go up Cassie appeared! Around Piles Corner and on to Sharp Tor. We could see Kevin's head torch below but couldn't communicate with him - except by a series of flashes. We met up with him near Piles Gate and he was reunited with Cassie who was put on the lead. A direct route back to the car park and on to the very accommodating Cornwood Inn. With Mike and Kevin.

Tristis Rock....

...as the sun goes down.

Stalldown in the distance from Tristis Rock

Arriving at Hillson's House

The ridge with Shell Top in the distance as the light fades.

Tuesday 11th April - Tiger Marsh

Just three of us for the walk today from the Fox and Hounds. Out to Nodden Gate and along the old tramway which runs around Great Nodden. To the points and up towards Great Links Tor. Where the track crosses the River Lyd we decided to visit the crash site in Tiger Marsh. To do this you have to go through the boggy bit. From here it was over Gren Tor before re-joining the tramway. Across to Great Links, then Dick's Well and down between Brat and Arms Tor to the ford below Nodden Gate. No time for a pub lunch today.  With Tom and Charlie.

Nodden Gate

The old tramway around Great Nodden.

The crash site at Tiger Marsh where a B17 came down on Christmas day in 1943.

Since I was last here a lot more wreckage has become exposed - the white bits are aluminium which was melted in the heat.

64 years after the crash and still nothing grows where the plane came down.

Approaching Great Links Tor

The view across to..... Hare Tor...

...and Chat Tor

Through the ford at the end.