Day 4: Gilsland to Once Brewed

 




Definitely the best breakfast so far at last night’s B&B, and we set off to rejoin the Wall Walk in good time. Down the hill into the village, across the river, up the hill on the other side to where we’d left the path yesterday – to be met by a sign announcing there was a ‘temporary diversion.’ Which then took us back down through the village, and along a track almost opposite where we had been staying! Note to selves – always check where the next day’s path will begin….

 

Almost as soon as we began walking we could see the ‘edge’ along which the Wall winds its way across the countryside. The guide book tells us these dramatic cliffs are the result of volcanic activity hundreds of millions of years ago, resulting in very hard rock which has survived Ice Ages and the like with minimal erosion. 

 

This is the iconic, picturesque section of the Wall. Because the stone used to build it is so hard, there is a very clear Wall to follow, and the views to both north and south are expansive. We can still see the Lake District hills in the far distance to the west, and pick out the expanse of Kielder Water to the north-east. Until the clouds come in that is!

 

It’s also very up and down – in some places the National Trust has installed stone steps to reduce the erosion of the thin layer of grass and heathland covering the rock. They clearly deliver the flagstones by helicopter!

 

One downside of walking at this time of year is that there is very little wildlife around – today we had to content ourselves with some newly dug mole hills and several skeins of geese flying south for the winter. We could hear them well before we saw them!

 

So today we have both passed the half-way point on the walk, and reached the highest point. Lots more ups and downs to go, though, before we finish….

 

Today’s photos

Header: Paul’s version of the banner on the blog.

Thirlwall Castle: A reminder that there’s been lots more history than the Romans here. The castle was built in the 12thcentury as a family residence/stronghold against the Border raiders who made a living from thieving and pillaging in these wild lands.

Another type of library…..

The wall, the view, and some geese.

Flagstone delivery

The highest point!




























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