Day 1 Wallsend to Heddon on the wall
We left Segedunum museum to begin the walk around 10:30am after a funny chat with the museum guide who had no interest in history but kept telling us where the pubs were!
The guide at the museum commented that we were walking the trail the wrong way, which I knew, but I was glad to be walking from the urban sprawl towards the beautiful coastline at Bowness on Solway.
The initial three miles of the trail were reminiscent of the Rodwell trail in Dorset, with added urban detritus. The Geordies clearly have a love of building bridges, they are everywhere.
As the trail meandered towards the banks of the Tyne we admired the expanse of the river and the remnants of it's industrial past (and the shopping trolleys and graffiti).
As the trail headed towards the city, the threatening rumble of thunder brought a quick burst of rain. Hiding under a tree and grabbing a waterproof jacket we carried on.
I met a number of Roman walkers - very friendly, a group of men from Durham who were walking the wall to raise money for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. They had done the 5 day route and warned of blisters and tough times ahead. A mile further, a family from Aberdeen stopped for a chat. They had taken nine days to walk there and drew in a sharp breath when I told them we were doing it in five.
"With those heavy packs?" they asked. I nodded knowing I had clearly packed too many t-shirts!
We reached the quayside (again) in about an hour and a half; the guide book suggested this would take 3.5 hours.
The next stage was to head towards Heddon. The trail follows the Tyne for the majority of the day, with some pictureque tree - lined paths.
As we approached Heddon, a gentleman stopped his car and came to chat to us. He gave us some good local knowledge regarding the location of a section of the wall. He also asked where we were staying and gave us at ETA.
I have been so impressed with the local people, they are so incredibly friendly and helpful with a genuine interest in the " wall walkers'.
Arriving at our accommodation - 18 miles from Newcastle in 6 hours - we were advised to visit the Swan Inn for dinner. The pub did not disappoint with a great home-cooked meal.
I'm beginning to wish my pack was going to magically appear at the next stop tomorrow as it was hard going today. I'm carrying around 20kg and the steep uphill was hardwork and will hurt in the morning.
We wore trainers today as walking on paths predominantly, but wearing hiking stuff tomorrow so I'm hoping the bag should be lighter.
The thunder and lightening is returning this evening so also hoping it will be clear for the morning. ☺️
Distance: 18.1 miles in 6 hours (moving time)
Accommodation: Ironside Farm, Heddon on the wall NE15 0JB
The guide at the museum commented that we were walking the trail the wrong way, which I knew, but I was glad to be walking from the urban sprawl towards the beautiful coastline at Bowness on Solway.
The initial three miles of the trail were reminiscent of the Rodwell trail in Dorset, with added urban detritus. The Geordies clearly have a love of building bridges, they are everywhere.
As the trail meandered towards the banks of the Tyne we admired the expanse of the river and the remnants of it's industrial past (and the shopping trolleys and graffiti).
"With those heavy packs?" they asked. I nodded knowing I had clearly packed too many t-shirts!
We reached the quayside (again) in about an hour and a half; the guide book suggested this would take 3.5 hours.
The next stage was to head towards Heddon. The trail follows the Tyne for the majority of the day, with some pictureque tree - lined paths.
As we approached Heddon, a gentleman stopped his car and came to chat to us. He gave us some good local knowledge regarding the location of a section of the wall. He also asked where we were staying and gave us at ETA.
I have been so impressed with the local people, they are so incredibly friendly and helpful with a genuine interest in the " wall walkers'.
Arriving at our accommodation - 18 miles from Newcastle in 6 hours - we were advised to visit the Swan Inn for dinner. The pub did not disappoint with a great home-cooked meal.
I'm beginning to wish my pack was going to magically appear at the next stop tomorrow as it was hard going today. I'm carrying around 20kg and the steep uphill was hardwork and will hurt in the morning.
We wore trainers today as walking on paths predominantly, but wearing hiking stuff tomorrow so I'm hoping the bag should be lighter.
The thunder and lightening is returning this evening so also hoping it will be clear for the morning. ☺️
Accommodation: Ironside Farm, Heddon on the wall NE15 0JB
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