The Walk - Day 4

Day 4 - Greenhead to Carlisle = 20 miles

After a tough walking day yesterday, we got to our accommodation at 4pm. It was really great. We stayed at Hadrian's Holidays in Greenhead. Due to a booking error we got a double room instead of a twin! Not going to share a bed, the owner sorted us out with a futon. No harm done and the particulars of the accommodation really made up for this. We had tea and cake with the owner and chatted about local surroundings. We had a table booked at a local pub and was taken and picked up. Result! We had a really nice chat with a fellow walker and left the pub feeling good for today. 

The alarm was set for 7am with breakfast being severed at 7.30. A hearty full English was an awesome start. 

There was beans too! 

We left by 8.15am and headed over fields and through gates towards Gilsland. It was not long till we passed that and were heading for Birdoswald. We got there but it was not 10 am yet so no entry. We came to some great parts of wall, always a good spot for a photo, likewise any bridge! 

We turned around the corner and there was a steep climb up the bank around Willowsford.

The day was mostly down hill after that, with only a few ups and downs in between. We planned to stop at Walton for lunch, and 30 minutes sat with shoes off really helped. Walton was at 10 miles and with 11 and a bit to Carlisle, I knew it was going to be a tough day. ( reflected in lack of pictures, after a while getting your phone out seems heavy!)

Large parts of the walk was across fields today, only the sheep for company. Some welcome woods broke up the morning and would of provided shade on the sunny days but today we had some cloud so were relieved by the lower temperature. 

As we came out the woods, an honesty snack and drinks "shop" was conveniently located. We stocked up on sweets and drinks and left our coinage.

As we walked on to Banks we met some other walkers and shared stories (as per) and remarked on people's next stop choices compared to our own. Everyone is doing it different and it's nice to hear of all the different spots people stay at, either camping or b and b's. 

As we walked on, it started. Just one drop, then two, soon it was really heavy with massive raindrops. Fortunately we had packed raincoats after staying at mine and we were able to quickly get them on and keep walking. Of course, within a few minutes the rain had stopped and they were already dry in the warm sun. Back in the bag and we carried on through some leafy tree lined tunnels.

The sound of traffic got steadily louder and we were very quickly striding over the M6. Carlisle was close, but it appears Hadrian or more likely the Council took us on a convoluted merry path into the city. 

Many of the bridges I photographed were over small rivers or streams, but the Eden was a more impressive beast. I have never fished it and only glimpsed it a few times, so it was nice to walk along it for a while.

We arrived into Carlisle at around 15.30 and sat on a bench to rest the feet. A short walk to the hotel and we are showered and recuperating.

The Walkabout in Carlisle may have to wait as these sore feet need to walkabout to Bowness tomorrow!