The less trodden path

First Milecastle on the walk

Substantial Wall remains...

It was raining at 7.00 so we didn’t rush to get moving. Lottie went out for her first toilet trip in a short rain break. By 10.30 it was brighter towards Birdoswald Roman Fort so we set off in that direction to look at Hadrian’s Wall between Birdoswald and Gilsland.

Hadrian’s Wall was well signposted and there was a free car park near the wall where Sally-Van was parked backing on to the grass verge which lets Lottie lie on the grass next to the habitation door.

...and foundations

Another Milecastle

We walked towards Birdoswald Roman Fort following an intact lower wall apart from where it had tumbled into the river Irvin. We stopped to look at two turrets before reaching the extensive roman bridge remains which were quite a distance from the river with no sign of where the river once flowed. They were confusing as the first bridge had been swept away and replaced by a heavier one which had flood holes for when the river was in flood.

Down to the river

Roman bridge remains

We walked through a grassy meadow and crossed the modern bridge after Lottie had dipped her front paws in the shallows and had a drink. The river was flowing swiftly, pounding over the rocky outcrops which made up its bed so she didn’t venture right in.

but the river is by the trees

too frothy for a Lucher's liking

There was a steep climb to the last structure before Birdoswald Roman Fort. Of course the sun came out and baked us as we trekked up the hill laden with waterproofs and drinks. It was worth the climb for both the view and the roman remains. At this last ruin we finally came across another couple viewing the ruins.

Ruins on top of the hill

on the way back down

The Allen, a calmer river

We retraced our steps and Lottie found a calmer place to paddle in the fast flowing river. Even then the current was tugging at her legs. We picked up pace as dark clouds were piling up passing a couple strolling slowly.

I’ve been bitten,” Van-Man exclaimed killing a horse fly. A minute later he was bitten again. Normally he gets off without a nibble while I get bitten alive.

We reached Sally-Van, put the kettle on and prepared lunch. Lottie lay on the grass by the habitation door but was pestered by flies. I dug out the oil of citronella and Van-Man patted a few drops on Lottie. The flies disappeared and she lay back gratefully until the clouds burst when she decided to join us in Sally-Van.

with a sandy shore

Are you coming?

Going up the gorge

The rain lasted quite a while but we were in no hurry. After lunch we headed to a supermarket to get food then drove along the northern edge of the Pennines. When we reached the bridge over the River Allen we were able to park and we walked the path along the river towards AllenBanks. It petered out obviously one of the paths that had been swept away by the floods. We backtracked and took a higher path signed footpath but instead of going along the gorge it climbed higher and higher to the top.

It wasn’t bad to begin with but it got steeper and slippery.
At the top the path followed the top of the gorge through farm fields but it was very overgrown. I waited while Van-Man checked it out but he returned shaking his head.

“Very overgrown,” he said.

above the gorge

coming down

one last dip

As we started to descend we saw another path going along the gorge to AllenBanks but as it dropped down steeply we chose not to follow it. I found a sturdy stick to help me balance and I descended slowly without slipping, unlike Van-Man. Lottie enjoyed this walk, particularly her final dip in the river after descending the gorge. She was keen t go further but after an hour’s walk we felt it was time to return to the camp site.

the 'paved' river bed from the bridge

Before driving away we went onto the bridge to look at the river as the bed rock structure could be clearly seen through the water. It appeared as if it bed had been paved with carefully fitted slabs.