Breakfast was a scrum for toast and coffee with 10 other strangers. Typical Brits though. We all like to display perfect manners don't we. You gotta love the British. Great bunch of people I have to say. Anyway I was keen as can be to set off early because I was confident of a fairly easy but long day !!!!!
How wrong was I.
The pain started after about 6-7 miles and I must have looked like a right wassock ( my latest favourite word, sorry ). Had my stick with me so I set the height and on I went. After about a mile it must have broken inside as it kept shortening to about 3 foot. So I gave up and just sort of did a hobble with my mini walking stick. It is actually really effective once you get a rhythm going. I will not complain though. Not for a second. No pain no gain. Pain tells you you are alive. Battle on and be quiet Owen. ;)
Guess what... I spotted the wall that Hadrian built today !!!!!!! It does exist. It is absolutely beautiful, as walls go that is. It is made of bricks and has some rocks and soft sand like stuff holding it all together. Amazing. I will post some pics. You will love it ;))
Ended up doing another 23 miles nearly. Why do I always do 4 more miles than it says in the book. Maybe I am special (needs) haha.
Had a lovely chat with family last night. It is great to hear them all and hear the support they give me.
Thank you so much for all the kind messages/texts of support I have had too.
There is a bit of walking etiquette I was not prepared for and is a very welcome surprise. Everyone stops to chat along the way when you pass!! Met a lovely old guy who looks after 3 miles of the trail. He was a retired farmer and kept on the job. Just for the love of it. He goes out most days checking for mole hills with his rake and cutting the grass to the regulation length. How great is that.
BEWARE: Boring bit coming up. I will only do this once so don't worry. You can always scroll down to the bit where I say thanks again and I love you all if you want ;)))
The wall has 3 sections.
A ditch on the Scottish north side.
The actual wall itself which is either there in situ, restored or hidden under the grass or for most of todays section now under Tarmac where some numpty from the council in the past decided to build the B6138 on top of it!!
Lastly, on the southern English side there is an impressive thing called a Vallum. This is basically a large ditch with the earth heaped up on either side like levees. A levee is a heap of earth in a line. Ok.. got it ? Good. I will be asking questions later for a prize. I have a half eaten bag of Haribo's in my rucksack for one lucky punter !!
The sighting of my farmhouse stopover on night 2 went something like this... The clouds parted and a beam of light shone down from above. It was a very welcome sight to say the least.!!!! Lovely lady here too. When I told her of my day she presented me with a new walking stick that someone had left behind. Happy days. We are back on track.
Sorry I promised Deb I would keep this short. I cant believe I even put in a bit about the wall structure. I am over tired. Forgive me. It is now 8:20 and I am knackered and off to bed.
Oh yeah as promised. M...Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I love you all xx
Please check out www.hopehouse.org.uk
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