Hadrians Wall Walk Day 2

Carlisle to Newtown

Hail and welcome!

Today has been half the distance of yesterday. Yet the reason for doing 9/10 miles a day from now on is that we both are carrying back packs loaded with basic camping gear!

The reason being that for the next four days, as we go higher into the hills and actually see the remains of the wall: we are camping. Self reliant. Well, a bit!

The good news: the last three days after those four legs of our trek we certainly have to keep carrying gear but we have local inns to aim each evening! With all the comforts of hot showers and fluffy beds! Hurrah! Perhaps an ale as well.

Today’s journey out of Carlisle and at first following the Eden River has been dominated by English hedgerows and an English Folly Called Rickerby Park Tower. A symbol of a man with too much wealth, time, and probably an eccentricity of habits. so build a tower. In the middle of a field nearly two hundred years ago.

The hedgerows are far more sensible. The Hawthorn and Blackthorn are in full green leaf mode and busily producing clusters of their berries. As are the Brambles.

Field Maples and a plethora of pungent aromas of the flowers that underpin the hedges gave all provided shade and a sense of continuity in todays walk as we cross meadows and wooded glades. The hills giving a nice reminder of were we are going…..

Although no wall itself exists on today’s walk we have seen its shadow in the man made ditches undulating across the countryside and through modern day farmsteads: the vallum.

We both found a gem of a place to break our journey in half today. The Stag Inn at Low Crosby. Worth a visit even if not walking the Wall! We both heartily recommend this place!

The hospitality was first class. The food (Sunday Roast menu!) was really good! The local Cumbria Ale…gosh you Toby twisted my arm to have 3 pints…. well…. Not much persuasion was in fact needed as subscribers already can imagine!

Now we have set up our tents… and await the cool of evening!

Tomorrow and day after we will have rain. So that is something to look forward to as the “ heatwave” comes to an end. Apparently.

Blessings to you all!

Syre Byrd (and Toby)