Day 56 – Hadrian’s Wall to Bellingham, 12 miles

George and Ann dropped me off this morning at the point along the Hadrian’s Wall footpath that I had walked to yesterday. Ann sent me off with two sandwiches and an assortment of crackers for lunch. I can’t thank Ann and George enough for all they have done for me, not only during the past week, but also during the past 18 months while I’ve been planning this walk. It would be an exaggeration to say I couldn’t do it without them, but it’s no hyperbole to say it would have been extremely difficult without them. Thanks, George and Ann.

Old and new

I decided to wear my new boots today. I may have been able to get another week or two out of the old ones, but the sole was getting so worn that a small crack was starting to appear. A cracked sole is not what you want when walking in a wet environment.

Hadrian's Wall at top of cliff (not the
drystone pasture walls)

Today’s route passed through a gap in Hadrian’s Wall, descended into some very wet bogs, through a forest plantation, through farms, and over a high moor, finally ending up in the fairly large town of Bellingham.

Hadrian’s Wall was built at the command of Roman emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122, in order to protect the empire he had established in what is now England from being invaded by Scots from the north. The wall ran for some 75 miles, was 10 feet wide and 15 feet high. My route did not run along the wall, so I really didn’t get to see it; rather, I passed through a break in the wall which was probably the result of centuries of removal of building blocks to be used in other building construction. Why quarry new rocks when the Romans did the work for you centuries earlier?

Indira and Fran

I was entirely alone most of the day, and although route finding was difficult around the bogs, I didn't get lost even once. About an hour before Bellingham, I caught up with Fran and Indira, two English ladies who are walking the Pennine Way. We had met previously outside of Thwaite when I was accompanying James and Alec on their walk to Keld. They said that they had spoken with James last week in Forest-in-Teesdale, and when he learned of their schedule he told them that they would probably see me in Bellingham. The ebb and flow of walkers continues.

Old bicycles become flower pots
(enlarge to view pedals)

© 2011 Ken Klug