I have been absent for some time from this blog and I do not know if my reader, (I believe that there is one), deserves an apology more for my absence or for my return. In either case, I have been brought back today by Hadrian. Hadrian???, I hear you ask. Who the hell is Hadrian?
Well, Hadrian was a Roman emperor, who, in the second century, ordered a wall to be built on his most northern frontier, to keep out the barbarians and to control the flow of people and goods into and out of, Roman controlled territory. Does this sound familiar at all? Are there echoes from history? Anyhow, Hadrian had his troops build a wall across the north of England, from the North Sea coast to the Irish Sea. It is located a little south of the modern England / Scotland border. The wall and it’s forts were occupied by Roman soldiers for over 300 years.

So I have come to trace it’s route, to walk it’s length and to see what remains of this fascinating historical monument. Over the next 6 days, accompanied by Vicki, Howi and Jutta, I will hike this route and explore the local legacy of Rome. I might also check out the local pubs and hostelries.  

We start out today from the Lighthouse at Whitley Bay, where the trail leaves from the England Coast Path. What better way to start, than with a couple of 99s? Are you coming along? Let’s go.