Tuesday 19th May
Tuesday 19th and the lie-ins are getting longer!!! Now we don't have so far to travel we can have the luxury of a slightly later start today left about 9.30 arriving at Birdoswald to continue our trek. Weather not too good so it was wet weather gear again. As we were getting ready and the scooters were being unloaded from the truck what did we see but a Roman Centurian in full regalia who very kindly agreed to having his photo taken with us. We also met up with another lady with ms and some of the team chatted with her.
Meet the Centurian
We set off for Lanercost Priory, a lovely ride through beautiful countryside again. For part of the journey we rode next to the wall as it is here that the road runs by the wall. We stopped for a break at Banks, the remains of a watchtower, and met up with some people from our own neck of the woods here in Kent! After a short break we continued onto Lanercost Priory. We visited the tea rooms for a spot of lunch and spoke with lots of other customers - our collecting box was well used! It rained while in the tea-rooms but by the time we came out the rain had stopped and after a quick rubdown the seats on our scooters were fine (we have waterproof trousers anyway). Close by the Priory there is a very picturesque bridge and we took full advantage of this for a photo opportunity
On The Bridge
Lanercost Priory is still in use but part of it is ruins currently being renovated (and we had to cross a cattle grid to get in the grounds - heaven) we spent some time exploring the grounds of the Priory and taking pictures all the time watching and listening to the swallows that were nesting in one of the houses in the grounds.
Lanercost Priory
Back on the scooters and on the road to Walton where we ended at a very busy 'A' road. It had been decided we would stop this side of the road today and start from the other side in the morning. The truck was loaded by the side of the road and we went back to the hotel earlier than usual but this did allow us to have a short rest.
We had a visitor later in the afternoon, Les Halliman, a volunteer ranger from the Bowness end of the wall, had been in touch with us during our preparations for the walk. He had given us much valuable advice for which we say a big thank you Les. He popped in to see us and find out how the walk was going and to arrange to meet with us on the last leg of our journey on Friday when we reached his patch.
