On the pedometer we clocked 13.5 miles yesterday. I think that is a bit optimistic since much of the walk was up or down step inclines so my steps were short. I estimate it was more in the 12 mile range but what a scenic and rugged 12 miles.
After leaving Wall, we walked past the fort and up our first hill. Of course it started to rain but that is part of the program. We soon turned off the road and onto the trail, a very mucky trail, across open fields. In one of the fields we ran across a gentleman from New Jersey who was walking the wall west to east. We chatted for a bit and headed our ways. Crossing the next stile, we stopped for a break. As I took off my pack I noticed my pedometer was gone and I knew where I lost it. It was two fields ago when we stopped to talk. Despite Nadya’s offers to go back, I knew I had to go myself. So back on with the pack and walked through the mucky fields to search for the blue box, but it wouldn’t be found. Oh, well maybe it was not meant to be. Back to the group and onward.
Over the next ridge and the ridge after and our first view of a great section of the wall. Rather impressive ruin running straight up over the ridge with cows guarding the remains of the turrets.
We walked along as the wall disappeared and reappeared along the path. We reached Brocolitia around noon ready for lunch. As I waited at the last stile for the rest of the heard, another hiker approached wearing my lost pedometer! I asked if he had found it and sure enough, right were I knew I had lost it. I thanked him for returning it and he continued. The pedometer read 4.85 miles.
Around 13:00 we break from lunch and head off. After a couple of minutes David calls it quits for the day, the morning’s assent being too much. After much discussion about signals and bus routes, Nadya and David head back to the carpark to catch the bus. Pat, Holly, Rava and I wait for the wave before heading off.
We head across the plain/moor/steppes and stop at various times to watch the birds, look at a new aspect of the wall or just to admire the scenery. Around 14:30 we saw David and Nadya go by in the bus. We know they saw us since we all waved at each other. It was good to know they were on their way.
We reached Sewingfield, a great crag, and chanced upon two women who were tending the wall and trail. They were volunteers for the national heritage trust and were working their section of the wall. We had a brief conversation and learned this is the first full summer of the complete trail. The advertising that is being done has really increased the traffic along the trail and is leading to some erosion. We’ve noticed in several places it is very muddy and I was wondering how they were going to stabilize the trail. It appears this is a concern to the maintainers as well. I hope they can leave it as rugged as possible so as not to spoil it.
Again we continued on our walk and come across some spectacular views, all the ones on the post cards, as we scramble up and down the crags.
Over the last crag we can see Housesteads fort in the distance and wonder if Nadya and David are there. We descend the last hill and go into a stand of trees. As we pop out of the trees the wall descends through the valley across to the fort where we see Nadya and David waving. “Send over a prisoner,” I shout across to which Nadya replies, “What is your quest?”
More up and down
Separate
How fast can we go?
If I have to climb another hill I’m going to lie down in the road
This post was written by
Jim – who has written 327 posts on UniBrain Trust.
Jim is the curator of UniBrain Motorsports, our resident photographer and the only one in the family to shoot a perfect 25. He enjoys eating Nadya's cooking and tries his best to stay out of her way while in the kitchen.