Back to business. Torrential rain again through the night but the morning left the sun shining and blue skies, although the south east of England seems to have flooded again. Maybe the south east should borrow some of the splendid weather that we are having in the north. We wanted to share with you a photograph of Christine, the wonderful woman we met yesterday. She must have taken a liking to us as she added extra cake to our packed lunches.
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| Christine |
For those of you who don't know how we are travelling we need to confess that Hadrian's Haul transports our luggage from one B and B to the next. Occasionally we have to walk a mile or more from the Wall to reach our B and B. If the distance is greater than that, our wonderful company, Mickledore [cannot recommend them highly enough] provide a taxi to cover the distances between the Wall and the accommodation. This morning our taxi driver [I know all about his family but I don't know his name] was so interested in what we were trying to achieve that when we left the taxi he gave us a donation for Reuben Monareng School. This is undoubtedly a first...a taxi driver offering us money rather than taking it from us. What a wonderful gesture!
The walking today was hard. The wind was so strong at the top of some of the crags that it was difficult to stand up.
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| Even the sheep slept! |
The rain from the night before had left the ground treacherously slippy and I must admit that I landed on my butt on one or two occasions! But undaunted, we strode onwards and upwards [ and occasionally downwards!]. Strong recommendation when attempting this type of walk: poles are essential.
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| Health and Safety |
The people we met today ranged from Lithuanians, Americans, our first group of French and one poor guy who, when I asked if he was a Yorkshireman, clearly and emphatically put me in my place by telling me he was from Durham and proud of it! The local allegiances in this part of the country remain strong.
Historical fact: Non Roman soldiers were called auxiliaries and were experts in their special trade. If they served the army for twenty five years they were granted Roman citizenship which was also bestowed upon their children and all future generations.
Rosie and I have been amazed by how each day of our journey has been entirely different. Today reminded me of walking as a child in the Berwyn Mountains, in mid Wales where my grandfather would teach my sister and I the names of the birds and trees around us; such happy memories. We wish to share with you two photographs of the surrounding countryside here in Northumberland which I hope will bear justice to the beauty of the landscape that we have been privileged to experience.
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| Countryside |
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| Rugged countryside |
Thank you for joining us on our journey. Today has been tough and I fully understand why Daisy went awol! Tomorrow is another day full of such wonderful surprises. Hope you can bear the suspense....
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