Day 9: The Call of the Sea!

It seemed somewhat strange this morning to be setting out on the penultimate day of the Hadrian's Wall adventure. As usual, we were somewhat daunted by the prospect of the 20+km which lay ahead, who we would meet and what we would learn about the surrounding countryside...and ourselves!

The walk started well: bright sunshine, lunch in rucksack, warm feet and above all else...enthusiasm.  After the first mile or so we were prevented from continuing our walk along Hadrian's Path. "Road closed" - a familiar sight in the last few days. "Diversion this way".That was the beginning of an extended trek around and through Carlisle. The locals seemed too involved in their own lives to be amused by random back-packers striding through their city trying to navigate their way out!  I decided to follow my instinct...not a good idea when it comes to direction, as I can easily get lost in my own house! As fate would have it, we passed a bus stop (tempted briefly to succumb to the joys of public transport...but resisted) when we spotted a gentleman sitting on a bench avidly reading a map. We recognised Matthew (a computer scientist from New Brunswick, Canada) from our walk the previous day and from the next table at breakfast this morning. What delight! A fellow traveller also lost...but to our good fortune, an excellent map reader!

Matthew

Thus continued our journey together as far as possible out of Carlisle. When at last we were able to rejoin the trail we had a tremendous feeling of satisfaction and reassurance that we would not be defeated. The pathways took us through traditional English country lanes which were filled with the sounds of hedgerow birds; the sound was almost deafening. We passed-by several small rural hamlets meeting very few fellow walkers, although dog-walking was undoubtedly a prime pastime for many local inhabitants.

Cumbrian Countryside

Cumbrian Lane

We stopped in one small village, Beaumont, and sat on the steps near the lychgate of a beautiful Norman church and then proceeded towards the village of Burgh-by-Sands.

Norman Church

The ancient church in this village claimed to be the place where Edward 1 (of Braveheart fame) had died of dysentery whilst waiting to cross the Solway Firth in 1307. The king's body lay-in-state in the church before being buried in Westminster Abbey. The Church of St Michael's also contained remnants of Roman occupation.

Plaque at St. Michael's Church

Historical note: look at the photograph of the plaque which was on the side of the church wall. Fascinating.

Burgh-By-Sands: Marshes

The final part of today's walk was across the salt marshes. The marshes seemed to stretch for ever, but in the distance one could just see the estuary which leads to the Irish Sea...the end of our journey!
At Boustead Hill we parted company with Matthew as he continued on his journey. Good luck and thank you Matthew...I have so enjoyed your company today.

The Estuary

And tomorrow the sounds and smells of the sea await...