The day started with a light and misty rain. We stood in some shelter in Hedden-on-the-wall, fully dressed in rain gear and hoods up, and surveyed the damp surroundings. Well, rain or no rain, we couldn’t stand there all day, so buttoned up tight, we headed off. There is a large section of the wall still visible at Hedden, so that seemed like a good place to start. Some early morning dog-walkers stopped to wish us well.The route was a complete contrast to yesterday. It took us across beautiful pastureland, through fields of grazing cattle and sheep, who gazed enquiringly at us, as we passed. All the time following the wall. And although the stone wall itself was only to be seen occasionally and in small sections, (most of the stone was removed over the last 1,600 years for other building projects), the ditch or “Vallum” is very clear and is an integral part of the countryside, stretching as it does, into the distant west.

For those of you who thought that Robin Hood didn’t exist, or at least didn’t live in Northumberland, you have been proven to be wrong, as I found his pub. Indeed yes, the “Robin Hood” is right along the wall route and serves an excellent cup of coffee and a scone with cream and jam. The rain is gone. The way is clear. This Hadrian’s wall stuff is beginning to feel much better. We have arrived at Chollerford, for dinner and pints. I think an early night is in store.