Hadrian's Wall

 

Tuesday 13th June 2023

There's quite a lot of the wall left surprisingly, I think it's been lowered over the 1600 years since it was last needed, probably by farmers re-using the stone to build more walls, or a larger farmhouse.

We drove a few miles to Steel Rigg carpark then Louis and I set off for a walk to Sycamore Gap. It's a dip in the rolling countryside with a lone sycamore tree perfectly positioned in the dip.

Hadrian's Wall views

Hadrian's Wall views

Hadrian's Wall views and Steel Rigg carpark, the furthest group of trees

Hadrian's Wall Milecastle 39 remains

Hadrian's Wall and Sycamore Gap in all it's glory

Crag Lough

Crag Lough

Crag Lough

What I quickly learnt about this Roman wall is that it always takes the highest ground. Obvious really, for defensive reasons. But that means to follow the wall path requires a lot of climbing and descending, often scrambling over rocks on all fours. What I also learned was about thirty yards to the south is a much easier path to walk, certainly on this section, not sure about the rest of the wall.

It's definitely worth walking the wall to get the best of the spectacular scenery and to walk in the footsteps of Roman Centurions, but some of the return route I took the easier path.

The heat took its toll a bit on Louis who lay in the shade at every opportunity and finished off a bottle of water in no time.

So no further Roman fortifications for today. I had planned to call at Housestead and Vindolanda but there wasn't much enthusiasm for any of that.

We needed to top up the LPG so managed to find a garage enroute to tonight's parkup by Fontburn Reservoir.

It's supposed to be 10 pounds per night here but the pay machine is out of order so looks like a freebie.

There are no services, just parking, but it's deep inside beautiful Northumberland countryside with only the sounds of birdsong.

I'll do the reservoir walk after tea when it's cooled down a bit.

Fontburn Reservoir

 

Fontburn Reservoir viaduct