From: Kellah to Greenhead
Distance: 4m / 6.4km
Cumulated distance: 715m / 1151km
Percentage completed: 60.5
It was the cruisiest of cruisy days yesterday. Just four miles from Kellah to Greenhead along the PW and the Pennine Journey. And with the most convivial of company. We used Hartleyburn Common to make our way across Cow Rigg, Cross Rig and Galloping Rig. Once we’d left the track the views became expansive and the thread of Hadrian’s Wall started to come more into focus. There were obliging sheep along our path and one of the many open-air baths I’ve come across since leaving Land’s End.
Setting out – pity Nick forgot to put his trousers on…
Modelling sheep
Enticing? Perhaps not.
Nick, Adam and Steve leading the way
Not for the first time the clouds stole centre stage yesterday, casting a majesty across the empty moorland. There was a reasonable path which had been augmented by paving stones and planks, in the particularly boggy sections.
Helpful boards
Looking back at the way we have come – Cross Fell a faint smudge on the horizon
And then we reached the Wall! Well, not really .. but there was much conjecture about whether it was a practice wall which had stood the test of time better than the real one. Tikka showed us how she could rise above our silliness and sat beautifully atop the stile, while the paparazzi moved in to take her photo.
The team show disappointment that this was not Hadrian’s actual Wall. Perhaps a practice wall?
Tikka encouraging us on.
We sauntered and meandered the remainder of the way across pretty but poorly marked fields, past copses and the busy A69, to reach our destination .. Greenhead Hotel, with its exceptionally welcoming lady behind the bar.
Blenkinsopp Common
Measlings Cleugh. Does anyone know what a Cleugh is?
Mushrooms or possibly toadstools on the pathside
Ready for refreshment after a gruelling 4 miles!
It’s going to be a wrench saying goodbye to such lovely companions who’ve been with me for several days .. and not just because Joanna organised the luggage pick up or Nick took on the navigational tasks or Shauna, Adam and Steve brought the wonderful Tikka. It’s been the best fun with the long days of walking rewarded with convivial evenings and even the odd game of pool.
Good advice from Adam ..
.. oh no!
PS Two lovely readers wrote to offer identification of the unusual looking plant we saw a few days ago by the side of the river. Kate wrote ‘My daughter, who works at Sissinghurst and is pretty knowledgeable about plants, has suggested Petasites hybridus’. And a message from Stewart came in with the everyday name: Butterbur. Thank you both. Having the identity I was able to find out that it’s part of the sunflower family and is particularly popular with bees.
Black Dog Tails
Tatiana was Cristina’s ears as she was at university, enabling her to get the degree she only dreamed of. Watch the video by tapping on the link in the pic ..
Golden days for the memory bank – and all made possible by your endeavour. What a marvel you are Jules! Lots of love xx
You say the nicest things, Frannie. Thank you! xx
David and Joanna Brownell spent last weekend with us and we sent you positive thoughts as we did some gentle walks (Jo is a big fan of your blog too). Nice to hear you have had a cruise-y walk too! Maisie is jealous of Tikka – we would both love to be with you again xx
How lovely! Maisie and Tikka would be the best of friends! She was just the same .. covering 4 times as much ground as us in her busy, busy way! xx
I remember my days stationed on the Wall with great fondness. I had a rare old time hunting (mainly deer and Scots). My wife, Incontinentia Buttux, used to enjoy knitting mittens for the legionaries and the occasional shopping trip to the Metro Centre with the girls. I do have to say though that it was a bit breezy up the toga, especially from February to January.
What a time you must have had! And now your son’s following in your footsteps. xx
Call that a day’s walking?
We’ve just overtaken you and walked into Peebles from Innerleithen on my own humble extended LEJG.
Beautiful Borders Country.
Filling in a gap to Milngavie, which is the beginning of The West Highland Way completed 30 years ago. We are using the Tweed and Clyde paths, probably not as interesting as your route but needs must.
Here’s to warmer weather.
I’m so loving the Borders now I’ve left the A68. It’s a beautiful part of the world. Yes .. 4 miles was hardly a walk .. but the last three days of 17 miles each have made up for it, or so my feet tell me!
Jules, I can’t believe it’s already day 55 and you have covered over 1000km. I just logged in for the first time, what a beautiful journey you are profiling here. I am sure it’s not easy every day, but the sense I am getting is that travelling at a really slow pace really let’s you take in all the small things and actually experience the places and people. Love the sketches and photos, and reading about your day to day. It’s make me feel like I am walking alongside you – you should turn this into a book! Enjoy your day, all the best Tom
Tom, thanks so much for visiting the blog and taking the time to send a message! Much appreciated. Jx
Call that a wall????? And who paid for it, the Italians???
You got it, Big Don.
Apparently a cleugh is a steep sided valley, according to Mr Google.
Aha!! Thanks Mr Light. x