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Published: September 20th 2017
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We left Wistow after having coco pops for breakfast. Well, I did anyway. They were lovely, just like a chocolate milkshake. We were heading to Hexham for the night but via Hadrian's Wall sights on the way.
CORBRIDE ROMAN TOWN
First stop was Corbridge Roman Town. It is the preserved ruins of a Roman garrison located on the wall. The museum was closed but we still got to wander the ruins.
Corbridge was once a town and supply base - people would pick up provisions here. The high street ran through the town, with granaries either side where soldiers would pick up their supplies.
The floor in the granaries were raised so that air could circulate under floor to keep the grain in good condition and deter rats and mice. There were also vent slits in the walls so the air could flow.
The only thing really remaining is the current town centre of the site - they don't really know if other ruins of the town are under surrounding areas and more extensive.
After spending an hour wandering around listening to the audio guide, we headed through Corbridge town itself. Parking was at a
premium being lunch time so we kept driving through to Hexham where we grabbed a quick bite to eat.
HOUSESTEADS ROMAN FORT AND MUSEUM
From there we made our way to Housesteads Roman Fort and Museum, which is suggested as the best place to see parts of Hadrian's Wall. Probably because it is set on an escarpment on the wall, which you can see stretching out from the fort into the distance.
The remains of this fort showed it to be quite large - with barrack blocks and a hospital. We also got quite spectacular views of the World Heritage Site despite the steep walk to get there.
Housesteads is one of 16 permanent bases along Hadrian’s Wall and the most complete example of a Roman fort in Britain.
The fort followed a standard fort layout, not dissimilar to the Corbridge Roman Town except bigger. It is quite strange though being able to wander through the fort and step on ruins that are as old as they are. On the walk up, sheep were even grazing in the neighboring fields right up to the wall.
HEXHAM
By this time it was late afternoon
so we headed back to Hexham where we were able to check into the next Airbnb one bedroom flat. The owners arrived just as were were getting there and gave us some recommendations for food and so on.
For dinner we headed to an Indian restaurant in Hexham where we had a lovely meal.
LAKE DISTRICT
The next morning, being my birthday, we grabbed a quick slice of toast at the unit before leaving and heading towards the Lake District where we would be staying that night. We took the scenic route, stopping briefly in Windermere and Keswick to browse the shops and wander the streets.
We didn't buy much though but did look at some lovely wood products, some of which were, rather ironically, made in Copenhagen and not the Lake District. Looked at Peter Rabbit memorabilia too as well as other local crafts and knick knack dust collectors as some would call them.
In both towns we fluked free and close parking, helped by the fact that we were only dropping in. In Windermere we got one hour of free parking and in Keswick we got two, which was sufficient time for lunch
and shopping.
In both of the towns, and everywhere we looked, there were dogs everywhere. The UK is exceptionally dog friendly... pity Australia isn't like that as much as here is. Even in what is a national park dogs are allowed, they just need to be kept on leashes. So we would see them in parks, at Roman forts, in pubs and cafes and walking with every second person.
The Lake District is effectively a mountainous region in England famous for its lakes, forests and mountains. But it is also known for Beatrix Potter (Peter Rabbit) and some other famous writers. It is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Lake District has some quite impressive scenery and during our drive we managed to see six lakes. We also drove a number of small, narrow and windy areas where the roads were barely big enough for one car let alone two, with blind corners and crests and oncoming cars, coupled with the occasional sheep mixed it too.
Stuart did all the driving after we out off the main motorway which suited me fine and gave me plenty of time to look out at
the scenery while he navigated the teeny streets trying not to hit people, cars, dogs or sheep.
We got to Bassenthwaite in the northern part of the park in the late afternoon, and managed to convince our lodgings for the night for some afternoon scones. Then it was time to do some research for the next day before we headed out for dinner at the Lakes Distillery.
The food was quite nice, if not a little on the pricey side (expected) but the service was almost comical. Slow and inconsistent. Stuart did get some brownie points though when he managed to get the waiter to add a candle onto the dessert so it felt like my birthday!
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