DAY ONE: WALLS END

Ready to Take on the Wall!

And so it begins! 

Start of the Wall

We cheated. I don't like to cut corners but in this case we have justification. Because the Wall has been built over by the city of Newcastle we would be walking 12 miles of city streets. That ain't happenin'. But then I found out another fact, that the original Wall ended in Newcastle at what is now the smallest bridge, the Swing Bridge, and the part out to Walls End was a 3 mile extended afterthought, so it's really OK. By jumping ahead to Newburn tomorrow we skipped the beginning walk and spared our feet the pavement , plus the mile after mile of business parks and industrial estates on the west end where you can't see anything anyway.

But we went to the start because you have to be at the beginning. Newcastle's buses are loads of fun, especially if you embarrass David by sitting on top. 

Our first stop was the Fort at Walls End, Segedunum (means, not very original, 'Strong Fort'). The presentation, the artifacts, and how the history was explained was well done and capitvating. The mini model of the fort really helped bring the ruins on the ground into perspective. A highlight was the only stone toilet seat surviving from Roman Britain! Top THAT! This was a great introduction to just one of many Roman forts we'll encounter over the next couple weeks - there were 17.

Fight Your Friends! Kill Lions! 

We picked up our Passport, which we will need to get stamped 7 times along our way. 
The number 7 keeps coming up - 7 bridges to Newcastle, 17 forts, 7 stamps. H'mmmmm. 













Another bus ride back takes us to town where we look for and find the Vampire Rabbit.

 We couldn't miss the Black Gate and Castle Garth. The Black Gate was too altered to be interesting but Castle Garth, the 'New Castle' built in 1080, was a great surprize! Winding stairs, long narrow tunnels and passageways, peepholes, low ceilings, tiny rooms, hidden toilets, a rooftop tower, evil dungeon , a 100ft well with piping and water still in it, and a beautifully carved Norman chapel. Phil gave us a Gregorian Chant concert. The notorious King John of Robin Hood fame added the amazing Great Hall around 1207 making for a big gift in a small package.
I have to chime in here that local native Guide David hasn't seen the Vampire Rabbit or these sites.

Castle Garth

Norman Chapel, Check Out That Carving!

Climbing the 99 Steps to the Tower Roof

Rooftop Views

A Comfy Guest Room with En Suite Garderobe

Hungry again? A great find for lunch/snack - the Scrumpy Willow and Singing Kettle , an organic, locally sourced cafe that's a small oasis in the cement city. Zucchini- watercress soup, omelette, berry smoothie, espresso and Earl Grey. 

We're Always Eating! 

Tomorrow we set off on the first real stage of the walk.