What have the Romans ever done for us?

Well quite a lot apparently. Not least build a hugely impressive wall the width of England from coast to coast. And what a good job they did otherwise we'd probably be walking the Pennine Way this week and missed some of the most beautiful countryside imaginable. In contrast to yesterday's walk through Newcastle, as lovely as that was, today's stretch was more as I had imagined...rolling hills, lush green woodland, babbling brooks and hardly a patch of Tarmac to be seen! And it has to be said our feet were grateful of the respite-I've seldom seen so many blisters! We should have been sponsored by Compeed!

Anyway, we broke camp at around 9 am and made our way down from Harlow's Hill and into the woodland beyond, accompanied always by the Military Road- a fairly insignificant B-road I thought, but one which the motorcyclists and sports car owners treat like an eternal straight on Brands Hatch. The trail traversed the road many many times during the days hike and with blistered and aching feet it was often touch and go as to whether we would actually make it before being mown down by some Jenson Button wannabe! I spent many an exciting moment waddling like a demented King Penguin, pack on back and feet like lead weights, desperately seeking sanctuary and dodging blurs of petrol smelling red growly things!

It was a lovely walk. Only 12 miles.....listen to me...only 12 miles! It certainly wasn't the 18 mile grueller we had yesterday, but it was swelteringly hot and sticky. We saw a very well preserved section of wall on the way to Chollerford and even had time to stop off at the Errington Arms for a swift half at lunchtime and later a pot of tea and a slice of cake at the Oswald on the Hill tearooms. The latter was on a lovely spot and the staff wonderfully friendly and attentive - I'd heartily recommend it to other Hadrian's Wallers.

Unfortunately Simon ran out of steam at lunchtime and got a taxi to Chollerford where he greeted us a few hours later.

So here we are in sunny Chollerford at the Riverside Camp site just beyond a beautiful stone arched bridge, which apparently has a large phallic symbol carved into its foundations. Jacko is very excited at the prospect of looking for this later! Well he did win 'Cock of the Day' yesterday and is well on his way to securing the award two days running!

We're off to explore Chollerford now that we're all showered and spruced up, so more later.....

Russ