I’m probably wrong but I thought you’d want to see some pictures of the actual Hadrian’s Wall as well as photos of Northumberland homebrew in gastropubs. Thursday, Day 3 of our trek, provided the best scenery of the lot. Quite a short stretch, from Greenhead up to Walltown Crags and back down through the bogs… Continue reading BATTLING PEATSTEEL CRAGS
SORRY, WHAPWEASEL
Struggling with the blog titles now, as we reach the end of Day 2 of Hadrian’21 and arrive in Greenhead after 23 arduous miles under the Cumbrian sun. Sorry to those of you facing flash floods down south this week. We DID beat the rain, and arrived to find the new micropub at Thirlwall Castle… Continue reading SORRY, WHAPWEASEL
STRONGER THAN SAMSON
Ten miles into Day 2 on Hadrian’s Wall, and we finally reached something approximating life as we entered Northumberland at Gilsland. The accents were no less comprehensible (ours, not the Geordies). Gilsland (pop. c.400) had a posh spa hotel, a cafe and two pubs, one of which was daringly open at 3pm on a Wednesday.… Continue reading STRONGER THAN SAMSON
TWO CENTURIONS
Our first day on the Hadrian’s Wall Trail had been a triumph. Mrs RM had actually knocked off 2,000 calories as she had to exert much more effort, well done her. We enjoyed a NBedSS 4.5 and NBrkSS 3 stay at the Old Vicarage, and resisted the call of Walton’s Crosby, Stills & Nash Society.… Continue reading TWO CENTURIONS
AT HOME WITH THE WALTONS
Where were we ? Ah ! 10 miles east of Carlisle, sort of following Hadrian’s Wall. We’d just veered off The Path to have a pint and crisps in the Sally, ruining at a stroke the purism of our trail. “I’m no purist” said Mrs RM, confirming what I’d known for 29 years*. Over Wainwright… Continue reading AT HOME WITH THE WALTONS
SALLY AND THE SPANKING BELL
Day 1 Proper of the Hadrian’s Wall Walk, which Mrs RM had planned meticulously. But as we approached the last 3 miles, it dawned on us we were about to arrive at Walton, our overnight destination about four hours before it opened. Four hours before Walton opened that is, not our B & B. So,… Continue reading SALLY AND THE SPANKING BELL
FALLING AT THE FIRST HURDLE
As you know, I turn to BRAPA for my FACTS. And BRAPA FACT No. 377 is that Hadrian’s Wall is the border between England and Scotland. Which is nonsense, cause then Berwick would have to play in the Scottish League, surely ? The Wall was actually built in 1974 to keep the evil Mackay clan… Continue reading FALLING AT THE FIRST HURDLE
CUMBRIANS HIT THE PUBS AGAIN
Well, that’s a slight lie, but stick with it. Our first night on the Hadrian’s Wall trail, but we weren’t walking far. Booked into Abberley House (room NBedSS 3.5, breakfast NBrkSS 2.5), we hit the town (or is it toon ?) and I showed Mrs RM why MumsNetters from Brampton to Silloth rave about Carlisle.… Continue reading CUMBRIANS HIT THE PUBS AGAIN
No. 8 in MumsNet underrated towns
MumsNet, source of 37% of my own blogging content, has been debating the most underrated towns in the UK. On a completely unscientific basis, this is the Top 10; Liverpool (underrated ?!) Chester (really ?!) Glasgow (underrated by people in Carluke ?) The Llyn Peninsula (what ?) Malvern (eh ?) “Parts” of Staffordshire (Burslem ?)… Continue reading No. 8 in MumsNet underrated towns
AND THEY’RE OFF
If the last year has taught us one thing, it’s not to waste a day. I suspect Mariah Carey has sung a song about it. As soon as the road map was announced, Mrs RM started to plan our road trips for when pubs and hotels were open again. I left her to it, so… Continue reading AND THEY’RE OFF
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