What Did the Romans Ever Do For Us?

They built a very nice wall that goes for 84 miles from Wallsend (near Newcastle) to Bowness on Solway (just past Carlisle). I am sure that Hadrian did not realise when he started the job in AD122 that people would be marvelling at the great feat of engineering built by hand that is still visible nearly 2000 years later.

I expected the distance but did not expect the steep up and down section in the middle and did not expect the real bonus that was the human aspect of walking the wall. Over the six days we met many people (and re-met them at other points including the pub at the end) from two ladies over 70 years old who were walking for charity to a group from Holland and a group from Stoke on Trent. The one thing we all had in common was sore feet!

A Return to Norfolk

A second trip to North Norfolk to finish off the coastal path. Good weather again and a walk that included a trudge for 4 miles across shingle and a finish up the steep cliff at Sherringham. We had the added bonus of staying at a campsite right on the path with views across the salt marshes which are a haven for huge colonies of different birds - deafening dawn chorus!

Always Wear a Hat on the Moor

The Yorkshire Moors and Dales were the next stage of our tour. It is hard to believe that we have never visited either before having always been seduced by the Lake and Peak Districts.
Definately worth the visit which included a stay at Masham which is the home of two independant breweries - Theakston and Black Sheep. A visit to Robin Hood's Bay and fish and chips at Whitby (but watch out for the hungry seagulls) should also be obligatory for all visitors.