Hadrian's Wall Trek - Day 2

 

After a good nights sleep, we are ready for day 2 of the Hadrian's walk trek!  I say we are ready but our legs are still tired and recovering from yesterday. I have also discovered I had a blister on my right foot and so did Christine. Together with my dodgy back and her knackered ankle, it's time to drug up with pain killer and cold spray. Preparations ready! Let's go!

We first met up with my big sis Fiona and her boyfriend John who had travelled two and a half hours away the night before to meet up with us to give moral and physical support by walking part of the trek together!  I haven't seen my big sis since way before lock down but we chat, joke and catch up like we only saw each other last week.  We had such a great time and it made the journey a breeze!

We left Heddon-on-the-wall and made our way to the Hadrian's path which is mainly along the B6318.  Our first destination was the Robin Hood Inn not only because its a pub but also the place to get stamp for our Hadrian's Wall passport. Its almost like a grown up version of Easter egg hunt as you can tell by Christine's smiley face! 😄

As told by my (drunk) friends back home, it is an English custom that you must go to the bar and  order drinks if you in the proximity of a pub.  So we did and we also had some food to prepare ourselves as we have only done about five miles  which is only approximately 1/3 of the way to our hotel for tonight!

We walked together for another couple of miles and missed the Wall Houses completely.  We decided to part ways here as there are no buses on this stretch of the road and they have to double back to Heddon-on-the-wall. We left Fiona and John and promise not to leave too long before meeting up again! Thank you for making the start of our second day feeling such fun!

But I think I spoke too soon as the journey follows are full of hills and endless stiles and steps and stairs and gates.  Plus lots and lots of Dollys (sheep) and it became really really hard all of sudden. Our legs are aching, our backs are in pain and our blisters feels like dancing on a hot pan under our feet! We made it to about 4 miles away from the hotel and I feel like I've hit the wall.  

It was an interesting change of role today as its Christine who's trying to encourage me and lift me up! We stopped off at couple of scenic points to rest and take picture trying to cheer ourselves up and to forget how much our feet hurt and how tired we are!

The most enjoyable part of the trek today came from an unexpected 15 minute detour where we have to walk through a forest in Stanley Plantation as a section of the Hadrian's Path was blocked off by fallen trees from the storm few months ago.  It is out this world like its a set from a fantasy movie and wouldn't look out of place if little Smurfs or Trolls start popping out! It was heavenly!

We found a piece of the actual Hadrian's Wall at the Planetrees Roman Wall! Our first sight of the physical wall since we began trekking 30 miles away!  Once upon a time it ran 33km to the east but this is all that seem to remain as the stones from the wall had been used to build houses near by until it was intervene and preserved. 

After another hour of walking we finally made it at the George Hotel!  Took us 10 hours including time we stop off for lunch and rest. It was 16.4 tough miles especially the last 5 or so. It went on forever and everywhere was aching so we were very glad when we reach the hotel!  We immediately soak our feet in cold water and admire how large our blisters are! Joy! 

Tomorrow is going to be another long one plus we have to walk into local high street for supply!  It is going to be very tough indeed.  I really hope I can still walk tomorrow as my legs are basically none functional!  Need a long rest tonight and do it again tomorrow!

Please check out our just giving page charity page!

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Yat-Christine-Lau

Yat and Christine 

06/08/22

@mindblmk