Wrekking Tanker

So I was thinking of writing some words of wisdom following the completion of our adventure across Hadrian's Wall but I am a little stuck.  For the first time in a long time, I am feeling a lot of emotions and don't really know where to start, but strangely, I don't feel guilty or ashamed of any of these. I don't feel the need to question, justify or worry why I'm feeling all these things.  I am just allowing me to be me. I look back at the blog, the pictures, the comments, and slow down to reflect,  recognising and appreciating each emotion as they come, some good and some not so much. I would never have been able to do this before. I would have just ticked the box, and moved to the next item on the list. It was better and easier not to feel, or so I thought.  Taking the advice of everyone, here goes.... I feel proud of this achievement because despite all the pains and occasional tears, I have completed a 94 mile walk in all weather and terrain when I ha...

  The power of words. Now that I have a day or two to process what we have achieved.  I have a little reflection after The Hadrian's Wall Trek. I'm a social introvert by natural so I don't normally engage conversation with just anyone.   I'm rubbish at small talks but I always understand the power of words. Anxiety and depression is something we all know about and experienced in our lives. From a young child to being an adult I'd say everyone would have emotional issues at some point. The difference is how you deal with it before it developed into something more damaging.  I'd like to think I was always able to keep my emotion intact and not letting it go over the edge.  And I like to think everyone around me deals with it the same way. The first time I was made aware with someone who had depression and require to take medication was a work colleague. For the few months we worked together, I never treated him any differently and never really asked about his...

  Day 7! We are finally here for the last day of our trek.  We are buzzing this morning as we can't believe we have been walking for the last 6 days and realised how far we came!  Also, as we are staying at the lodge for an extra night it means we don't have to carry our massive back packs! The end is in sight! We set off earlier than usual to make sure we get there in good time!  Watch out Bowness! The Laus are coming!!! We walk through the main road of Beaumont joining back onto the Hadrian's Wall Path on a long bridal way full of dairy cows!  After a close encounter with a farmer's flatbed truck and his aggressive dog, we reach Burgh by Sands and walking along the main road, seeing more cows in the field and even a llama farm! When we are out on the other side of the village, there is a long straight road that about 3 miles long in the open.  On the left there is a foot path on the bank and you can see the mountains in the Lake District.  On the rig...

  Day 6! After a nice dinner and great night of sleep at the posh Fleece hotel, we feel energise after the long long trek yesterday.  I'd like to think we start to get the hang of daily trekking but it seems to surprise us everyday! After our Michelin Star grade breakfast, we got ourselves ready with the usual blister/pain killer ritual and caught a taxi back to the Hadrian's Wall path as we don't want to dice with our lives again walking along the motorway! We got drop off at the Carlise Airport by the taxi driver (who ironically drove from Carlise to pick us up), and begin our trip towards Carlise. We walked past the Solway Aviation Museum where people are preparing to open and probably wondered what the heck we are doing there! After dodging a some cars and a bin lorry on the road, we were able to join the path at Oldwall not far from where we left off yesterday. We were in high spirits as we know we are working towards the end.  Knowing we need to do similar distance ...

  Day 5! Couldn't believe we have walked everyday for the past 4 days! We have done over 55 miles so far and actually really enjoyed yesterday's trek dispite many steep slope and hills.  We had the Caligular's Chamber Ensuite at Hill on the Wall B & B which is basically the best room there is.  It had great views over the villiage and sections of the wall!  It is by far the best accommodation we've had so far and hospitality is top notch and so are the people we met.  After a hot full English breakfast, we made our way back to Gilsland and continue our trek after the usual pain prevention rituals! After passing some zen looking goats, we went by the Willowford Turret then onto a long section of narrow walls that are quite well preserved.  It goes on for a fair bit and we can see it is very popular with trekkers, runners and families!  We carried on over the steel bridge over River Irthing and then up a very steep path before reaching Harrow's Scar ...

 Day 4 of our Hadrian's Wall Trek and it is a lovely day!  After yesterday's misery, we had a good night's rest at the Air bnb in Haltwhistle and greeted by various farm animals in the morning.  The owner had offered to drive us down to the high street and wait for us while we get supplies, and then drop us off at the next nearest car park by the Hadrian's Wall path.   As tempting as it is, we wanted to make up the missing 3 miles from yesterday so we head off the the High street via some scenic route.  However, wild animal strikes again and a humongous horse appeared blocking one of the gates and wouldn't back off.  I got up close and had no idea horses are so massive as it head is basucally bigger than my whole torso!  That or I have really slimmed down from the last 3 days of walking!  Alright you giant and probably tamed animal. You win! We ended up having to back track and walk down the main road instead. We found ourselves a greasy spoo...

  So with day 3 of our trek, we predicted it as the toughest day and we were not wrong! Day started off alright even though we can't say the George Hotel live up to the standard.  It had a nice bed and hot shower which to us might as well have been 5 star as we were so knackered from the day before! After breakfast, we went into Chollerford high street to pick up some supplies. Although this added an extra mile to our distance it also proof that our legs still works and it's good to have a little stretch before the actual trek! We are all geared up with paracetamol and plasters for our blisters.  Deep heat are rubbed and stretches are done! With food and sports drink packed we feel as ready as ever! We first got off to Chester Roman Fort to get our Hadrian's Wall passport stamped, then we head off to the Hadrian's Wall path!  Nothing will stop us now.... .... unless it involves a field of killer cows!!!! Recalling a story told by a fellow trekker yesterday travelling...