September 26 to Hexham and Hadrian's Wall
Along Thirlmere Lake, the only place that reminded me of Washington State on our trip
Before we visit the Roman Era, let's go back 4,500 years to a stone circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle
View south from the circle
East and a little north near Penrith we find Long Meg and her Daughters
It's another stone age circle, but much larger. This is "Long Meg" and Tom.
On the stone there is a carved "bullseye" set of circles - unknown age.
Nearby is a water powered stone mill. We have lunch there and buy some flour.
Click on this photo to see the action. Pipes are for getting the grain to the mill.
Must be near Roman territory
Actually we are at Birdoswald Roman Fort, next to Hadrian's which started being built in 122 A.D.
Two stops later we visit Walltown Craig's for a nice view of the wall remains
The Wall snakes along the cliffs of the Whin Sill formation
Last stop of the day is at Housetead's Roman Fort and the Museum
Jean on the wall next to the fort
What the fort looked like in the 2nd Century, all the Romans withdrew by the beginning of the 5th Century - but with many descendants still in England
A grain storage building was here, supports for ventilation under the floor
This was a heated floor, had water circulating underneath
The men's room...seats were on both sides of the long walls, water ran below and in the troughs above
Complex water supply systems
We head for our B & B and have dinner in Haltwhistle at the Black Bull Pub - Great!
Our room in the B & B was left on the back side upstairs
September 27
Our room in the morning - we are West of Hexham.
We head for the Roman Army museum, where Tom is almost convinced to join the Legion.
If you survive 25 years, you retire as a Roman citizen and given 25 acres.
Tile above the urinals in the museum - Roman scene
Next we visit Vindolanda, a very large Roman Fort with a village outside the walls with a great museum
Wet conditions have preserved many artifacts including these shoes - 1600 to 1900 years ago
It is even known who's shoe this is: Claudia Severa
She is also known for this wood tablet, about the year 100, that includes her signature - considered to be the oldest known female handwriting
"Claudia Severa to her Lepidina greetings. On 11 September, sister, for the day of the celebration of my birthday, I give you a warm invitation to make sure that you come to us, to make the day more enjoyable for me by your arrival, if you are present (?). Give my greetings to your Cerialis. My Aelius and my little son send him (?) their greetings. (2nd hand) I shall expect you, sister. Farewell, sister, my dearest soul, as I hope to prosper, and hail.
Leather remains of a shield for a horse - reproduction above.
Modern monument to the Roman units who served at Vindolanda
Reproduction of a monument found years ago, now preserved in a museum
A general view of the fort, village to the right.
They think it will take more than 200 years to complete excavations.
Next we visit Chesters Roman Fort and Museum
Bath House
Tom finally finds his niche
Tom with a story he read to kids as a librarian - Hildilid's Night.
The "Hills of Hexham" are mentioned often in this book and shown in the illustrations.
More of the hills...
Next we go to Steel Rigg, a parking area where we walk East toward's Mile Castle 39
Beyond the parking area we have several ups and downs
The cow stands guard above all the other cattle
Up the steepest part
Mile Castle 39 below, Sycamore gap is beyond but we are running out of time so Tom stops here
Craig Lough in the distance
On the way down before returning up to the parking area
Stone slot on the way down
Could that be Hadrian's head in the clouds above the mound of trees?
Taken from the window of Strand Cottage, our B & B.
More color later as the sun goes down
