retiredmartin

I plotted my big pre Christmas tour on Bing Maps last night.

If you look at it with a squint you can imagine it clearly resembles BRAPA taking a leak at Newark station.

From Durham I said hello to the Angel,

and whizzed along the A69 towards the Wall. Or as Simon calls it, the English-Scottish border.

My sole new GBG entry in western Northumberland is actually at Wall, a pretty village with a pub AND loos, and this marvellous view;

The Hadrian Hotel looks posh, the restaurant name is in Latin, the first person you see is the hotel receptionist, and it’s fairly clear it’s outside my budget.

The folk are lovely. Chatty, smiley, helpful. The lady at the bar says “sorry for keeping you” as she rushes by with a vat of mulled wine she’s made herself. Is it real ale ?

Sadly not, so just a half of Best and a chat about the weather “Bask in it while it’s here” and mulling (?).

There’s two roaring fires, one cask, one keg, so I pick the real one.

The Twice Brewed is homebrewer’s homebrew, but it’s well kept (NBSS 3) and inoffensive, just like the inoffensive Adele.

They both say “Thanks, bye” as I leave, having put about £1.75 into their coffers.

I walked the bounds of Wall, which I now find isn’t named after Max. It’s quiet and unfussy,and a group of Hexham Hikers say a nervous “hello” as I stride purposely past them. “Schnell” I say back, by way of encouragement.

My walk gives me views over the wall, but within 30 minutes I need the loo, which I can tell Duncan is strategically located under the trees on the football pitch.

And it’s open !

As is Hadrian’s Wall, except when they take their January holiday to visit Offa’s Dyke.