HADRIAN'S WALL TO PADDON HILL

Tuesday 18th. May 2010. PHOTO: Hot Bank Farm at Crag Lough.
Another incredible bright and hey-hi-ho summer's morning sees me leaving my seventh camp on The Pennine Way along Hadrian's Wall in goodly spirits having slept soundly following a long 32 mile day yesterday. I have six or seven miles to go along that constant up-and-down section of the Wall which is mildly disconcerting as steady striding is constantly interrupted - how much harder on the men who built the wall I wonder? On arriving at Rapishaw Gap just this side of Housesteads Fort the only person met along the Wall was a solitary local dog-walker out enjoying this bright new day, we dallied for a chat near the summit trig point on the highest point on the Wall - Winshiels Crag at 1132' above sea level. It was a great treat to see several Whinchats hereabouts. The early morning light is so good I took quite a few pictures despite having covered this section phtographically on my double-traverse of the Wall a couple of years ago. A quickish march brings me to Rapishaw Gap where the Wall is left in favour of the lowland moors leading into the eastern extremity of the formidable man-planted woodlands of Wark Forest. I had an unusual encounter on an open path in a warm sunny clearing through the woods, stepping over an Adder asleep on the track. It was so still I thought it was dead and gently tapped it with my foot, a procedure that failed to meet with complete viperous approval! Off it went at a rare lick, instantly disappearing in the long grass, my closest encounter yet with an Adder but I should have got a picture before standing on the poor thing. On leaving the forest- at least the going has been quite fast on the trails - I dropped down to cross first the Wark Burns then Hauxty Burn and on into the town of Bellingham. My first port of call in Bellingham (pronounced BellingJAM), was to the local chemist, I have hurt the bottom part of the shin in my right leg, I think I have been tying my boot lace too tight, and although I have loosed off the lace, the pain is increasing, I bought some "ice" gel. Then it was into the bakers shop next door, Yummy, down the lane to a public tap - every town should have at least one of these for wayfarers who are always on the look-out for water and then off steeply up the road for a mile or so to regain the high ground above the valley. A few easy miles and I'm reaching my evening knackered stage and begin to keep an eye out for a place to pitch up for the night and in due course after passing Hareshaw House and crossing the minor road then traversing over Rough Shaw I found my spot by the next minor road about a mile below the summit of Paddon Hill. Another good day and I have walked at least 60 miles in the last 48 hours and I'm beginning to think that I might actually finish the walk! It's a fact that less than half of all starting walkers make it from Edale to Kirk Yetholme and that has been on my mind, not only that but the Pennine Way is about 70 miles longer than my previous record distance for a continuous walk, so it represents quite an increase on what I know I can do! Slept very well, as might be imagined>