Very broad landscapes and very narrow roads

Thursday evening, we stayed in a guest house in Greenhead between Hexham and Penrith along Hadrian's Wall.  In fact, the guest house was built on the wall (you'd never know it), out of stone from the wall (well, doesn't all stone look the same so who knows if that is for sure either). Arriving at the B&B was tricky - there was an option of a very narrow bridge or a ford over a stream before proceeding down the single track lane to the house.  We correctly opted for the bridge.  Later, we walked the 3/4 mile into the village for dinner - made interesting because we had to negotiate stepping over two cattle grids - so much easier when you do it by car!



Holmhead Guest House

The Ford - one option

The Narrow Bridge - the other option

The sign - which we saw later but the choice was obvious!

After we checked out of the B&B, we drove to Walltown Crags where we could hike up a hill (okay, not really a hike or a hill) to where there were remains of the ancient wall.  The wall, started in 122 AD, ran east-west across the northern part of England.  It wide enough for two centurions to pass each other shoulder to shoulder and it has a fort about every five miles.  From the English side of the wall, at least here, the wall looks pretty innocuous but, because it was built along the edge of a ridge, from the perspective of the Scots on the north side, it was pretty intimidating.  The following photos will give you some idea of what it looks like for the part we saw.  The photos also show how open and expansive the countryside is here in this area of Northumberland.

Ruins of Hadrian's Wall at Walltown Crags

Views across the Northumberland Countryside

Next, we headed to Cumbria and the Lake District.  Here, I think, my sister was out "to get me"!  Because there was a forecast of rain for the weekend, she was determined to make sure we saw all of the major lakes (at least the famous ones) in one day.  That meant about five hours of driving.  Yikes!  So, we saw Ullswater, Bassenthwaite, Derwent Water, Buttermere, Thirlmere, Crummock Water, and Windermere all in one day. 

Part of yesterday's journey took us through two passes - Hartside Pass over the North Pennines toward Penrith and then Honister Pass in the north Lake District.  The views were spectacular and the driving challenging, particular through the latter.  There were plenty of warning signs about the sheep that were often on the road but there should also have been signs warning about the myriad of hikers and cyclists which you also had to dodge.  They made driving through this pass, which is often a single track, even more challenging after you factor in the oncoming cars, many of which were large Land Rovers.  However, I love a driving challenge and rose to the occasion.  We got safely to Ambleside just after 4 p.m.

Views of north Cumbria from Hartside Pass
(heading to Penrith)

Ullswater from Pooley Bridge

Views across the countryside from near Honister Pass

The road through Honister Pass - narrow and winding!

Buttermere

As it turns out, our plan for yesterday was a good idea because this morning (Saturday) when we woke, there was heavy rain, low cloud and wind - not ideal for sightseeing or picture taking.  So, Kath was right.  We saw the lakes at their best!




Wet view from my bedroom this morning - it is not as bright as it looks!