Two
trains take us North and West through sunny countryside to Carlisle station and
at about 11.30 we begin the eastward march to the North Sea. The plan is to
take the next three days to get to Housesteads Fort and to return in the spring
for another three days to complete the journey.
A
short walk through town brings us again to Bitts Park where this time we turn
right instead of left. In this direction is parkland; first Bitts park, then
along the edge of a golf course, before crossing the Eden by the Memorial
Bridge into Rickerby Park. Puddles remain from recent heavy rains but the sky
today is visibly blue and the sun emerges from time to time from behind white
clouds.
Exiting
the park we join a minor road, passing some rather grand houses and lodges at
Rickerby itself, before crossing the M6 at Linstock Bridge. We pause to
contrast our pace with the racing traffic below; in the hour we have taken to
get here from Carlisle some of these cars have travelled from Glasgow or
Manchester.
At
the village of Linstock we leave the road and take the riverside path indicated
a little too literally and disappear into tall reeds and giant rhubarb. Sensibly
we retrace some steps and emerge into more negotiable field paths, from where
we are better placed to enjoy the fine views along the river.
After
2 hours and 4 miles we arrive at Low Crosby and the Stag Inn. Although a little
early in the walk it is the last recognisable watering hole of the day so it is
only prudent to take advantage. Stone floors and hobbit sized doorways lead to
a pleasant bar and two deep comfy leather armchairs. Tea and homemade cake are
ordered; the cake needs not only a fork but also scaffolding to tackle properly,
and two cups of tea to wash down, but the copious teapot is up to the job.
Great value at £4 a head.
Eventually,
almost reluctantly, we lever ourselves out of the chairs and set off along the
road east before turning north along a sunken grassy track that leads to the Military
Road and a final turn back east. The road becomes a lane then a raised field
path alongside Blea Tarn, and the first discernible lumps and bumps that
represent the wall, ditches & vallum come into view.
This
very pleasant 4 mile section ends as we are spat out over a stile into Newtown,
where a planned tea time rest stop on the village green is cancelled by a
sudden heavy shower that requires a hurried unpacking and deployment of
waterproof coats. However by the time we have declined from Newtown into adjacent
farmland the rain has passed and we can take some refreshment sat in the
sunshine on the roots of an old tree.
The
next two miles to Walton are more farmland than Roman Wall, but we get back on
theme on arrival at the Centurion Inn, unfortunately closed down, at Walton.
Here we avail ourselves of the ubiquitous village green bench and phone for a
taxi to take us the three miles to Brampton and the Howard Arms. Waiting we
reflect with some satisfaction on the first of our three day jaunt – 11 miles in
about 5½ hours carrying our 3-day packs for the first time. But the terrain has
been fairly flat and there will be more challenging days to come.
At
the Howard Arms, bang in the centre of Brampton, the first pint has to be the
Wainwright, a blond and rather bland, but refreshing, ale. With our steaks
later we switch to the Bomber which has more flavour and body. Pleasantly
rested, watered and fed we retire to our room and fire up the vintage TV. When
the weather forecast comes on we rather wish we hadn’t. Wall to wall rain is on
its way tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment