So, here we are day 1! Can't believe we are really doing it!
The start of a 87 miles begin with baby steps, and also a full belly! After being dropped of at an Asda Carpark in Wallsend by Andy (brother in law), we immediately looked for a Costa to refuel ourselves before our first leg. Plus we have to make our way to the Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum for a Hadrian's Wall passport so we can collect our stamps along the way! When we got there, we ended up also buying a t-shirt that saids we have completed it! We will wear that on the last day I think!
After our stamp on the passport, away we go! We were excited and full of energy as we couldn't believe we are finally doing this for real! It will be a fab adventure and I won't wish to do this with anyone else but Christine because I understand how important this is for her. I want to be there for her and celebrate the success and achievement. And also because she got shorter legs than me so I should be able to keep up!
After following Hadrian Way through the Riverside Park and a rather industrial looking sight of Wallsend, we came to an opening along the River Tyne which lead us to the center of Newcastle next to the Tyne Bridge. We have done 5 miles of walking and came across a pop up bar call Urban Garden which I think its a calling for us to stop for a drink as it was exactly 12pm and the bar just opened!
After our cheeky pint we continued to walk along the River Tyne out of Newcastle. We pass through many offices and eventually near the A1 motorway following signs of Hadrian's Way. After crossing over when we got near Lemington, the sky open up and it was absolutely chucking it down. Thanks to our preparation and advance poncho wearing skill, we were able to put it on before the rain stops (unlike last time). It actually kept on raining for an hour which made the walk a little miserable!
We cheered ourselves up by stopping at The Keelman and Big Lamp Brewery for drinks and some grub just as the rain begin to stop. At this point, as a friend had already pointed out in Facebook, that this looks more like a charity pub crawl than a charity trek and I can neither confirm nor deny that..... πππ
The last 4 miles to our accommodation was grueling. It started off easy enough on flat paved ground but soon we had to turn off to Heddon-on-the-wall where we have to trek across farm lands and paths with a ridiculous climb uphill for the final couple of miles. Cold spray was used, inhaler was used! It really drain the energy out of us and I struggle to put a smile to Christine's face! But when the sun comes out again, the view at the top of the hill are amazing!
After walking by some caravan homes which looks like they belong to serial killers in movies, we came across some massive country homes and reach our little Air BnB after another ridiculous hill. We can finally relax! Day one done! Yay!
So day 1, there was 700ft of elevation and it took us almost 6 hours to complete our 14.8 miles trek which was mostly on nicely paved paths or pavements. We are very pleased with that but also a little daunting for tomorrow as it would be mainly rural paths. It is time to rest our walking engine and start again tomorrow! Let's hope they still works!
Please check out our just giving page to track how we're doing for our charity MindBLMK.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Yat-Christine-Lau
Yat and Christine
05/08/22
@mindblmk
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