We made it!!!

We've only gone and done it!! The SAGA 6 crossed the finishing line a little before 3pm. More of a blog later, but here's the finishing line photo.

Russ

It's raining, it's pouring, the Jolly Green Giant is snoring!

Sorry!

I've been trying to respond to comments on the blog and it's a nightmare.

The name of the dog is Johnny Wilkinson-I spent a considerable amount of yesterday evening with him and he's lovely. And no, he didn't kill the moles!!

Russ

Eh-uhhh!!

I can't believe I added the first photo on my last blog. It wasn't for sharing, but as I have I'd better explain-the things (of which there are about 20) hanging on the fence are dead moles!!! Eh-uhhh!! Sorry

Here's a photo to cheer you mole lovers up.

Russ

What sort of twonk would pitch their tent on an ants nest?....

.....well me actually. I'm covered from head to toe in bites! I'll come back to that though.

What a fantastic time we had courtesy of the Sandysike campsite and camping barn - an absolute must for any Wall through-hiker. Their hospitality was second to none and the full English this morning was simply heavenly. We shared our two dining experiences with six lads from the Met who were hiking the wall in the opposite direction - to be honest I think Richard scared them. Regardless, Andrew got a tenner off one of them this morning for Zoe's Place, so that's more towards the total.

We set off into a drizzly morning and thought perhaps it was set for the day. Fortunately we were wrong-it only lasted half an hour and then we were back to our customary sweltering sunshine. We spotted the BBC forecast later in the day though and apparently it's going to pour down tomorrow. Can't grumble though-we've been blessed with the most wonderful weather for a walk in northern England.

Today's route took us through lowland farms-predominantly grazing land for cattle and sheep before eventually joining the river which meandered its way into and through the city of Carlisle. Our assorted injuries made us look as comical as ever as we limped our way along the trail. Once again we came across a few 'honesty' refreshment stops-ranging from a box balanced on a tree stump containing drinks, sweets and chocolate, to full ornate summer houses complete with fitted kitchens and huge glass fronted fridges containing a massive range of confectionery for the hungry hiker. I think they they are a wonderful contribution to the trail by trustworthy trail supporters and long may they continue.

Aside from the couple of stops we had at these honesty stops, we also had a refreshment stop at the Sands leisure centre at Carlisle, where we would have stopped in any event to get our passports stamped. As ashamed as I am to say this, my eyes were immediately drawn away from the healthy menu full of salad this and cous cous that-and I saw the words 'Chips and curry sauce' on the specials board-I couldn't resist. That, followed by home made carrot cake and a pot of tea and off I waddled, a contented, limping hiker back on the trail. The fact that my fellow hikers called me names like 'fatboy' and 'porker' didn't worry me in the slightest. I couldn't give the tiniest s**t-I was happy.

So, we eventually reached West View campsite just outside Carlisle at about 4.30pm and proceeded to jockey for position for the one shower. It's still really muggy, but the storm clouds are gathering. Ah well.

So back to the ants. I actually said to the lads that knowing my luck I'd probably pitch my tent on an ants nest. Would you believe it?! I bloody did. I must have 60 bites without exaggeration.

So here we are in the Museum pub in Carlisle, great food and beer and it's Tim's birthday-happy birthday-you don't look a day over 50!!

Enjoy the photos.

Russ

The day the views....and the wall disappeared

We woke early again this morning to a slight mist and a cool breeze as the sun attempted to break the low cloud.
Breakfast was being served at 08:30 for us with the most elegant of hosts. We were lucky with how we dined at this campsite and a full english inc cereal if wanted, toast and tea or coffee were on the menu.
We finished our breakfast as the rain (for the first time in 5 days) drizzled down lightly, but remained warm with a muggy feel.  The campsite(Sandysike) is very highly recommened as they have a variety of options when staying - camping,  bedbunks and B&B with a warm welcoming from the hosts.
So as mentioned our walk for the first time this week started in a drizzle, but ponchos were not required due to the heat....... Well apart from two as the rain got a little heavier.  By the time they got them on though the rain had stopped and the sun was showing signs of reappearing.
The first half of the walk was a pleasant walk with roaming countryside and peaceful surroundings, but the views were limited and the wall was nowhere to be seen, but the signs were still there of us keeping to the trail with the odd vallum still insight.
As we approached Carlisle the weather that we have been blessed with all week returned and it was with us until we were leaving Carlisle. The only highlight really of Carlisle was the leisure centre we stopped at to get our passports stamped and have a bite to eat.
Thereafter it was  what seemed a  relentless walk along the Eden River as the terrain was difficult and a lot more steps involved than were expected which did take its toll as we neared our next campsite at eest view. The stunning views we had for the last few days  were gone which probably added to a slight disappointment amongst the Saga Six.
It may have not been the most exciting of walks today but we still stumbled across some picteresque villages along the way and some photo opportunities not to miss.
Hope you enjoy the read and photos
Andrew

A cup of Rosey.

A nice point to stop at a self serve hut just outside Crosby on the route to Carlisle and then onto Grinsdale......
And it was a nice surprise when we left this morning as one of the lads we met from the other group at the Sandysyke campsite gave me £10 for Zoe's Place!

The Trail - Counting Crows

You maybe thinking what is he babbling on about now.
Well i'll do my best to explain.
Setting yourself off to sleep in a tent is not the easiest of tasks, esp when you haven't got 12" walls to reduce the noise levels from outside and a thermostat to adjust the heating.
The paper thin extremities of a tent lets you hear everything, and I mean everything, from the gentle rumble of the cars on the distant road, to the sound of what appears to be a bear knawing on its own arm from the tent next to you. So unless you have eardefenders on (earplugs don't work) you could be in for a inconsistent sleep pattern.
Once off in the land of nod though, it still isn't plain sailing from there. It gets to about 4am when the birds start singing their morning songs, and that can be quite threaputic, but they are swiftly interupted by the delightful scream of crows to which echos in the surrounding hills. This is not so much an alarm call but a constant annoyance to which you have no snooze button.
I shall leave it there for this insight of "The Trail"
Updates to follow :-)

Walking Widows and Kate!

Tonight the walking widows met at Shirley's house for a magnificent meal and a gossip about the Saga 6 and babies..........don't ask!!

Amanda kindly offered to drive so I made my way to her house complete with fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, meringues and whipped cream and decided to just have a quick hug and a kiss with Alexander before leaving.  I headed to the garden where I expected to see him splashing in his paddling pool only to find him locked in the shed with his grandma laughing at him through the window.........don't ask! - I left after letting him out for the hug, kiss and a squeeze ;-)

What an evening it kicked off with Shirley greeting us at the door with a choice of cocktails, Cosmopolitans or Margherita's - my fav mmmm. We sat in the garden with a few nibbles before heading inside for the delicious meal cooked by Shirley.  Most of us moved onto wine with our dinner, followed by lemon cellos with dessert and brandy coffee to finish off only to head back to the wine and cocktails.

We had such a good laugh talking about the walk, the blog and babies - poor Hannah is now traumatised - sorry chick ;-)

I had quite a few texts off Russ about the walk and the blog much to the disgust of Amanda as Richard has gone incognito - just for a change you have to realise!!  RICHARD!!

Russ had photo issues - he only had large ones so I promised to sort them out when I got home, hence the time now!  

The wives of the SAGA 6 became know as the Magnificent 7 instead of the walking widows due to the fact that we also had Kate to dinner despite not actually owning a walker - or so we thought.When asked, which one are you having an affair with?  All six she replied! - it's no wonder she's always tired!

We had a fantastic evening thanks to Shirley's hospitality and have vowed to do it again soon but with the blokes.  It's been a long week but very enjoyable for the lads - well done.   Looking forward to seeing you all in the pub on Friday.

Dawn xxxxxx

A tough day at the office

The day started bright and early with a misty haze, slightly cooler and an unfortunate attack from hundreds of midges as we packed away.

We started the 345 metre climb that we came down a couple of days ago, and let's just say we were glad it was a lot cooler as the steepness of the hill was just insane! After reaching the top we set of for Walton on more undualting landscape along the wall with sintilating views and substantial parts of the wall to be seen.

Looking back to where we had come from after about 5 miles we all gave ourselves a well deserved pat on the back and muttered " we're proper hikers and eat meat grrrr."

As we approached the crags of Walltown of which there were about 4 to tackle Russ pulled his left calf unexpectedly so had to walk or limp the remaining 10 miles, ........sorry about that phone died so had to put it on charge, as I was saying,  Richard had swollen ankles and Jacko still had numerous blisters from the previous walking up to now. It was litterally like being on a Saga holiday!

Joking aside though we all had another great day and a short trip to the Birdoswald fort was another memorable visit on our venture. The terrain from Birdoswald flattened out......a little bit and involved a bit more tarmac walking which didn't help the hop alongs. And by this point we had another minor casualty as Tim's knee was giving him some grief. I have to admit though I know I am younger than my compardres but credit where credits due they battled on to the campsite with guts and determination as I walked in admiration of their efforts.

As we approached Walton we were again greeted by Simon with the views of the Lake District in the background which was just an awesome site.

The campsite itself is set in a stunning place with views overlooking the lakes and a big old house dating back to the 1600's. The hosts are extremely friendly and we had a lovely dinner in a fantastic dinning room that was covered in.history of their family.

Another enthralling day had by all.

Spk soon

Andrew

Injury Time

Our day started early at about 7 am and Winshields Farm where we were camped was shrouded in mist. Despite the low cloud cover though, the air temperature still felt muggy and for the first time on the trip the midges were out in force. We literally threw our gear into our rucksacks as they started to eat us alive. By 8.15 we'd had our fill of bacon and egg and started the climb back up to the highest point on Hadrian's Wall - whose idea was it to camp on a farm situated directly below the highest point?! Anyway, off we trudged, waved off by Simon, and we were up on top of the ridge sooner than we had expected. Much of the murk had, by then, began to lift and the threat of rain for the first time on the walk dispersed with it. By the time we'd traversed the ridge for half an hour the sun started to poke through the cloud in small patches and had eventually won the battle against the murk an hour later. The rest of the day was back to our customary flag cracking heat-it was wonderful.

The downside for me personally came at 10am when my ankle turned on a loose rock on a high ridge and as I tried to right myself, my left calf muscle went 'snap' and I keeled over. I was gutted. I limped up and down the subsequent ridges for the next hour with a borrowed walking stick, but it didn't really make a difference. The upshot was that I spent the next 7 hours and 14 miles limping at a snails pace. By the time I reached our destination-a wonderful campsite and bunkhouse at Walton-I was thoroughly knackered and my feet are now full of blisters due to having to over compensate on one side of my body. Richard is suffering with swollen ankles and blisters, Tim's knee went today and he too has blisters, Jacko is still suffering with blisters, so it's only Andrew who remains healthy. And you wonder why we've been dubbed the SAGA 6!

Anyway, on the positive side, the walk today was absolutely beautiful. It started very much as yesterday's walk had finished, walking along high whaleback ridges accompanied by the ever present wall. After lunch however, we started to descend to the more gentle, undulating hills at the edge of the Northumberland National Park, although as our altitude decreased the air temperature increased so the challenge kind of remained the same.

Highlights included Birdoswald Roman Fort and a wonderful 'honesty' cafe which provided tea, coffee, pop and crisps, along with benches and chairs for weary travellers, completely unstaffed with only a steel cabinet with a money slot on the wall. Brilliant.

Anyway, I'll publish this blog now along with a few pics because my battery is about to die. Andrew and I will blog again later.

Russ