(Hadrian's Wall Path. 18th March 2014 - 14 miles + 1 off route) Breakfast at Saughy Rigg was as good as it gets: yoghurt with berries, toast, marmalade, the finest egg benedict in the land and swooningly-strong coffee. Decent coffee isn't so very difficult to make and yet I despair at the number of B&B's … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 3 – Steel Rigg to Wall
Hadrian’s Wall Path
Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 2 – Gilsland to Steel Rigg
(Hadrian's Wall Path. 17th March 2014 – 8½ miles + 3 miles off route) Stephen at Bush Nook cooked me a huge breakfast but that wasn't a problem. Afterwards, as I sipped my coffee (and idly considered forgoing my walk and spending the day in his warm conservatory), he kindly offered me a lift down … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 2 – Gilsland to Steel Rigg
Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 1 – Carlisle to Gilsland
(Hadrian's Wall Path. 16th March 2014 – 18½ + 1½ miles off route) The Howard Lodge (a central B&B I'd stayed in before) served up a fine breakfast of poached eggs and fruit salad (separate plates) and a remarkably horrid jam in a plastic tub. But, unfortunate jam aside, it's a good stop for the … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Path: Day 1 – Carlisle to Gilsland
Hadrian’s Wall Path
In 1801 William Hutton walked from his home in Birmingham to Carlisle; continued walking along the length of Hadrian's Wall and then walked home again - a distance of 600 miles. He was 78. In his book, The History of the Roman Wall, he wrote: "I have given a short sketch of my approach to … Continue reading Hadrian’s Wall Path
A Walk Across Northern England 2014
During December 2013, I began planning My Next Big Walk. I wanted a route roughly 200 miles long and I wanted mountains - or at least fells and moors. Poring over maps, guide books and the internet, I mulled over various paths and combinations of paths throughout the UK. But as usual (and predictably), I … Continue reading A Walk Across Northern England 2014