HADRIAN's WALL: day 6--our first really nasty weather

After saying our heart-felt and reluctant fair wells to our dear friends (32 folks in all) on the KNOX 500 tour we drove back to our last pick up point and recommenced our route march at just after midday. 

It was blustery with pretty strong winds from the west but no rain... Yet. Giles tried using his rain jacket as a sail.

The livestock seemed to know what was coming...

We stopped at the Robin Hood pub, more like a museum that serves food and drink, and Giles wanted (and needed) hot chocolate and a plate of chips.

Then it started, drizzle at first that turned to drenching rain, no let up

Giles remained in remarkably good spirits, but not long after commenting that he was disappointed not to have seen highland cattle in Scotland on the KNOX 500 tour, we ran into these big bruisers

And it rained harder, mud on our boots, and it got colder. The weather was slowing us down, and I began seriously to wonder if we could actually complete the 84 miles. We still had many miles to go, about 17 for our final day. Would my feet and old climbing injuries hold out? Could an 11year old keep up the grinding pace? And there was little evidence of Roman wall remaining... 

Our faithful support crew rescued us and took us off to a guest house, hot shower, and a good supper and bed. 17 miles to go for our last day. Could we do it?

KNOX 500: day 3, Hadrian's Wall, Durham, evensong

Some travelers just have to be a little different!

The Aston Hotel Dumfries is a charming place, sumptuous dining and a blessed time reflecting on Knox and the Scottish Psalter, singing together. At Durham hotel dinner the jazz pianist played Psalm 23 with us and the vocalist joined in too!

Joined this evening by Managing Director of Evangelical Press (publisher of my biographies of Toplady and Savonarola) Graham Hind and his wife Tina. Wonderful fellowship with them. He told us about challenges and blessings in the church in the UK today.

Evensong at Durham was beautiful (musically) and frustrating (theologically). I read to them from what Knox prayed when he was called to answer before the bishop (Anglican, but oh, so RCC leaning) at the synod of the north in the 1550s. "O God Eternal! Hast thou laid none other burden upon our backs than Jesus Christ laid by His Word? Then who hath burdened us with all these ceremonies, prescribed fasting, compelled chastity, unlawful vows, invocations of saints, with the idolatry of the Mass? The Devil, the Devil, brethren, invented all these burdens to depress imprudent men to perdition."

HADRIAN'S WALL Day 4--Breath-taking in both ways

Greenhead to Houseteads Roman Fort. This is the most spectacular stretch of wall, turrets, and mile castles of all, but it came at an undulating and grueling price. 

At Thirwell Castle a Medieval castle made entirely from Roman stones borrowed from the wall, the trail marking was unclear and we and some Aussies and other Americans found ourselves having to backtrack to find the route--an extra mile added to a long wearying day. But compensation came almost constantly in some of the most sweeping panoramic views of vast green moorland and ancient Roman wall. 

Gillian walked with us for several miles and thoroughly enjoyed all the animals we encounter as we cross farms continually. Winsome hiked all day with us and took lots of the kind of pictures we can't take of ourselves--thanks Winsome!

First night on HADRIAN'S WALL, weariness and awe at Cumbrian sunset

This was a challenging but unforgettably wonderful evening of hiking this ancient WALL. 

Drumburgh Castle built in the Middle Ages from Hadrian's wall stones

New version of a selfie

Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, died here and was laid out in this 12th century stone church, commemorated in this 17th century statue.

Weary from our first evening of marching, we were awed by the majesty of the sunset.

HADRIAN'S WALL, day 2--16 miles!

We had amazingly wonderful weather, blue skies, warm sunshine but not too hot, hospitable Cumbrian locals (a cold Coke for Giles and a Guinness for me) and wide open fields with contented cattle looking at us like we were from another planet, always sheep, a special Olympics track and field event, lush shady city park in Carlisle, lunch and chocolate under a spreading ash tree in a pasture and HOSTAGE LANDS reading together, quaint villages, charming country homes, and Giles' jokes and companionable chatter--who cares about sore feet!

After dinner we came back for another 5 mile march, ending in the little hamlet of Newtown. Evening in Cumbria is pastoral and lovely.

First very clear walking on a path that was the original wall, ditch and Valum clearly visible to the north

Cheryl and crew met us with Magnum bars; I don't worry about my weight after 17 mile trek I need the calories. Now to bed. View from our cottage on a Cumbrian farm--a gloriously good day... And good night.