Hello 👋👋 I’m back. And it done. Yes, I reached Banks at Fort Maia (aka Bowness on Solway) at 15:14 yesterday 21.09.21 😀
The first thing I did was phone my daughter and sob 😄😄 We had a lovely long chat and she did a photo of me at the hut via WhatsApp video. Technology eh!!
So I guess this post is jumping the gun a wee bit since I haven’t really posted much about my journey since 1st September when I started my journey at the Scottish border near Berwick Upon Tweed…but I really wanted to share this with you now, and later I’ll jump back in time and update you on my adventures.
In summary it’s been an amazing experience. Hard at times with days when I hit a wall of exhaustion, but other days that were a sheer joy.
Oh the things I have seen and the places I have been….every day a new door to open on vistas and adventure. And have I had some amazing adventures….but all will be told in time.
Meanwhile, here I am at Banks at the end of the 84 miles National Trail of Hadrian’sWay, and finally I can legitimately wear my cap 😁😁 ‘I’ve Walked Hadrians Wall’.
I have to give a shout out to Gemini, my walking poles. Without them I would not have been able to complete the walk. They saved me from stumbling (many times), helped me haul myself up inclines, and steadied me going down vertiginous descents. They kept my balance on rough paths and helped me jump over muddy puddles. They are invaluable and I am so grateful for their constant presence…they are like an extension of my body now, and we’ve been walking together for 5 years. Unlike me, they’ve had 3 sets of new feet and still going strong.
I’ll get onto my laptop soon and catch up….from the Scottish Border near Berwick Upon Tweed on the east coast of Northumberland, to the west coast of Cumbria; Bowness on Solway – 421 kms (263 miles) North to South along the Northumberland Coast Path and East to West along Hadrian’s Way.
Done and dusted (except for 12kms between Craster Harbour and Alnwick…but more about that later 😄😄
I knew you would do it, good job!
😊😊🚶♀️👣 thank you. It was so amazing, hard at times and exhausting, but absolutely wonderful.
Whoophee-doo-a-dee 👏👏 (or something like that)! Congratulations on your very long walk!! It feels as if you’ve just started the other day, and here you’re holding up the hut (and wearing the hat) to conclude this walk!
I am looking forward to hear more of your adventures and to see lots of photo’s! Rest well (at least for now), both you and Gemini 💌.
Thank you 😊 Still recovering but planning the next one 😁
Yes, that pic..hilarious…it so does look like I’m holding up the hut!!! I was talking to my daughter via WhatsApp and she suggested she take a photo of me via her phone. Technology is amazing…
I can’t quite believe I’m finished the route!! Almost 18 months in the planning and over in the blink of an eye…so weird.
Congratulations. What an incredible adventure and challenge and you completed it with flying colours. Brilliant.
Thank you 😊 it really was incredible. I’m still trying to process it all. Feeling a bit lost not having a daily target…so I’ve pushed my 2021 virtual challenge target up by 600kms to 3200kms to get me out and walking.
But I also started planning my South Downs Way walk for April 2022…must have a goal.