Blogs from Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 10

"No mountain profile arrests and excites the attention more than that of the Langdale Pikes and no mountain group better illustrates the dramatic appeal of a sudden rising of the vertical from the horizontal; the full height from valley to summit is revealed at a glance in one simple abrupt upsurge to all travellers on the distant shore of Windermere and, more intimately, on the beautiful approach along Great Langdale. Nor is the appeal visual only: that steep ladder to heaven stirs the imagination, and even the emotions, and this is especially so whenever the towering peaks come into view suddenly and unexpectedly.." - Alfred Wainwright We hiked from Old Dungeon Ghyll to the familiar tops of Pike Of Stickle and Harrison Stickle and then Thunacar Knott, High Raise, Sergeant Man, Tarn Crag and Blea Crag ... read more

There is little evidence of Hadrian's wall between Carlisle and Brampton. The walk follows the line of the wall and the adjacent ditch and vallum define the path which follows the Eden River for several kilometers leaving Carlisle and then passes through some very beautiful countryside. The path is punctuated by numerous kissing gates and passes though fields of buttercups with too many sheep to count.... read more

We arrived at the start of the Hardian's wall path yesterday afternoon after driving from Fort Augustus on Loch Ness to Glasgow and then by train to Carlisle and taxi to Bowness-on-Solway. The weather has cooperated so far and we are hoping it continues to do so for the next 10 days of our walk to Newcastle. The trail, 135 km from end to end, follows the course of Europe's largest surviving Roman monument, a 2nd century fortification built on the orders of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 122 AD. The wall marks the northern limit of the Roman Empire. Building the trail was problematic as it followed the course of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Before every fence post, sign post and way marker was driven into the ground an archaeologist had to be present ... read more

ON this, the first trip to the UK since Frances died, I had to return to the Lake District and visit Windermere where we honeymooned almost 44 years ago. Fond memories. I drove across Hardknott pass, an experience not for the fainthearted, and visited the remains of Hardknott fort built by Hadrian in the 2nd century: A fitting prologue to my walk across England from Bowness on Solway to Newcastle following Hadrians wall. That adventure starts next week.... read more

Off to Keswick to get Ed some bigger boots. Everyone excited/anxious/tense...... read more