HADRIANS WALL. DAY 4

Minutes after I signed off the last blog, Snakes nipped out of the tent to the loo and this happened.

I did my level best to stop her but she overpowered me with her sadface. The evening was awash with noise, cows and sheep bleating mixed with distant farmers 4×4 and a very strange ghost-like squak from above.

Morning came and we hydrated on tea while we broke camp and snuck out of the woods and back to the trail.

We had a few more miles across the rugged tops, the day was cool and grey and was set to be full of snack stops. My favourite kind of day.

The first came in the form of a little hamlet, nestled away and surrounded by rolling hills and a derelict castle. One of those spots that when you enter on foot, you can’t imagine anyone gets there any other way. One fine homeowner had left flapjacks, blister kits and re-routed their tap, leaving water and a pot of sticks out for dogs.

More green, undulating, wall-laden English beauty. It was quintessential landscape. Hardly surprising that we were crossing paths with predominantly international walkers, this trail has a universal draw. Rarely did we meet anyone going the same way as us. Today we saw the most walkers of any day- only one other with a dog. One friendly man remarked “Oh you’re not making him carry all your gear are you?” Oh how we did laugh.

By midmorning, and with ample time for our snack station number 1 flapjacks to digest, we arrived at Gilsland. There, we hunted out ‘House of Meg’ tea room and were immediately recognised as the overly-organised walkers who sent a resupply package of dog food over a week ago.

I was dreaming about cheese and beans on toast and my goodness did it hit the spot. I’ve been fighting off a head cold (and by fighting I mean, just carrying on as normal and hoping it goes away) and this was the comfort food any Doctor would have ordered for themselves. Snakes had a 10/10 egg bap and we were warmly welcomed and looked after throughout. Upon leaving, Snakes went through a detailed review of how good her bap was and why.

The day was heating up, the pace was medium and we had nothing to rush to. Our extra miles yesterday meant a shorter day today and ample time to spend at snack stop number 3. Oh, and what a snack stop it was. Attached to a farm house and a rudimentary camp site was this little dream:

Winnie was starting to flag due to the heat, and because we’d topped up her bags with her resupply. Aren’t we clever though? Making her carry all her things? She enjoyed a shady rest and some jerkey.

Snack shed number 1,335 came not long after the last. Another household shed-shop selling cold drinks and sugary treats. We rested here, then found a field to have our dry cracker and cheese lunch, the elaborate sandwich wraps have had to take a back seat, again, making room for the wonky chomps and chicken-y protine bars that Eric demands.

The last few miles into the village of Walton were hot and pretty. Eric was slowing and after motoring through the village, and a shady glade by the river, we popped out on a beautiful farm, with 5 terriers and a fat labrador. The farm offered a bunkhouse and camping. Before long we’d set up out tent on the immaculate lawn and were being brought two tankards of beer by the campsite host.

Eric, who lied about being tired was now motoring around the lawn with Radish and Tiger.

We purchased some wine from our lovely hosts and sat in the windless shade of the laurel enclosure and made dinner.

Sincere apologies for the delay in posting this. I’ve maxed out my gigabites for media uploads on this ‘proplan’ I pay a yearly subscription to on WordPress. I’ve had to upgrade, which is double the cost. If any mega fans (or medium fans) want to donate a snack-shop sized donation to the continuation of this blog – you absolutely can by way of PayPal (astridcallomon@gmail.com). Use the reference ‘FlatEric’.

In return, you will be guaranteed more of the same. And what can I tempt you with? What’s afoot? Besides the rest of Hadrian’s Wall Path, in the pelipeline is: the Cambrian Way, Lands End- John O’groats (on foot) Cape Wrath Trail, more of my amazing spelling errors, more of Flat Eric, more naughty mushrooms and more of whats in Snakes’ head.

Absolutely NOT to be missed. Especially not by me.