Hadrian's Wall

Caught bus from London to Newcastle. Got lucky: train to Carlisle left from station 20 minutes after bus arrived.

Cat-called in alcohol soaked Carlisle. Got a hotel room.

Day 1



Started from Carlisle in the morning. Beautiful 'path' through farmers fields past sheep and cows.

Sheep seem to have a very low muscle resolution, i.e when they are looking at you, and you are walking by them they don't following you in a fluid motion. They jerk their head every second like the hand of a clock. Their rectangular iris' gaze blankly. Oftentimes they turn and piss (I assume inspired by my passing) -- another sign of their depravity.

Walked to Lanercost Priory. It was closed. Hopped the fence and had a quick peak around. Old and destroyed.

Spent the night in a scrubby field nearby.


Day 2
Rainy and windy and misty. You can see the rain sweeping across the landscape... heading right for you, so when it is not raining you anticipate it, and when it is raining you see the next patch coming.

The rivers and streams run the colour of Guinness, likely due to all the cow and sheep shit. Apparently they have to boil their drinking water. Gave up trying to avoid stepping in it, as it is everywhere.

Rain cleared just in the time for the following:





Slept beside wall, in a very picturesque spot (no photo). Wind picked up through the night. Poor tent -- the fly flapped in the wind, keeping me awake.

Day 3
A lovely walk.




I wrote in my journal, "...and their cry of: 'Rome! Rome! Rome!' was immediately swallowed by the screaming wind".

I also wrote: "my hip bones are tender".

Made it into Hexham and got a hotel. I will head into Newcastle tomorrow.