Hadrian’s Wall 2023

Great night and dinner last night.
Florries on the wall is a very good place to stay, they think of everything that you could possibly need as a weary hiker, including lamb tagine with couscous for dinner.

Today was a great day! And not so long as there is so much to stop and see. About 15 or so km and 200 elevation.
Also the sun is not out and thankfully not raining.










Firstly we cheered on the runners doing what is known as the Rat Race.
 Running from from Carlisle to Hexam: what an effort!( madness really 😂)
They entertained us through the day.



Secondly we got to see the wall proper finally. So much more to see than I ever thought.
There is so much to see on this stage.


















Made it to Birdoswald Fort by about 11, in time for a tour of the ruins and wall.
Really very informative.
This fort was largely unknown for several hundred years.
One was one of the biggest forts on the wall housing up to 1000 soldiers plus the support from others outside. 
You can plainly see the size of the structures and it’s hard to imagine so many living in those walls.

At times walking beside what may have been a Vallum, or a pair of earth mounds with a ditch between, and the stone wall. 






It is pretty amazing to see even though it is a couple of metres lower than when build. Interspersed with mile houses ( small defensive positions manned by a small number of men) every mile or two.

Numerous sctatched graffiti was also seen: possibly names of soldiers.




Tonight we stay slightly of the wall path in Greenhead. 
The hostel is an old church, it’s pretty nice.



Dinner will be at the Greenhead pub across the road.

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