Sponsored Event
Group Supporter Rob Taylor's Very Brave Spondored Hadrian's Wall Walk
At the end of June, I spent a week walking the 84 miles of the Hadrian's Wall footpath, from Bowness-on-Solway on the Cumbrian coastline eastwards to Wallsend in Newcastle. My plan was to travel as light as possible, carrying only 1 or 2 changes of clothes, and stopping at B&Bs and bunkhouses or hostels. (For the benefit of humanity and the environmental health of Cumbria and Northumberland, I planned to wash my clothes en route at least once).
Rob’s Journey Begins…..
The first 25 miles or so of the path there is little to see of Hadrian’s Wall itself, but it was pleasant given the fine weather and nature of the walking. Starting along the Solway estuary, through Carlisle, the path continues across the M6. Parts of the specially constructed defensive ditches and ‘vallum’ earthwork can then begin to be seen, and in the middle 30 miles of the walk, from the hamlet of Banks eastwards, the walker encounters significant stone remains of the wall, milecastles and intermediate turrets (there were 2 turrets between each milecastle).
The larger forts of Birdoswald, Housesteads,
and Vindolanda are situated in this central section, where the wall follows the natural defensive contours of the ‘ Whin Sill’ escarpment offering stunning views of the countryside. Finally, east of Chesters fort (where the museum contains a fabulous collection of Roman altars, graves and other stone items), remains of the wall are few and far between in this final the easterly section. The path arrives at Heddon-on-the-Wall, where the last significant section of wall can be viewed, before departing the original course of the Wall to follow the Tyne and eventually finishing at Segedenum Roman fort in Wallsend.
All in all a very enjoyable week, and I would like to thank friends and family for their kind donations which enabled me to raise £309 for the important work undertaken by the 25% ME Group.
Next year, maybe Offa’s Dyke……?
WOW, Well done Rob! We would like to say a big "“THANK YOU" to you on behalf of everyone at the group.