Aug 31, 2016 - Carlisle - Day 2 - More Hadrian's Wall Stuff

As much as I could, I won't bore you stiff with too much history about Hadrian's Wall...well, I might, but that's the price you pay for so much entertaining information, pictures, and humor!! First, a word about the B&B in which I am staying. It's an older farm house that the couple who run the B&B bought 5 years ago after they sold their hotel in Scotland. Christina and Bob are nice people, and their B&B is an excellent place to stay when touring the Hadrian's Wall area of England. This morning I met two German couples, one of which are on...

Aug 30, 2016 - Carlisle - Hadrian's Wall - Day 1

Today was a pretty cool day, not just due to the sunny weather. I went through some small towns with names that reminded me of friends, such as Pennyglen, Pennyvennie, and Clarencefields. I also successfully slipped into England unchallenged! Of course, there is no real border between Scotland and England, but who's counting? To introduce you to the pictures I'll upload, the first two pertain to my rented auto and the spacious roadway I traveled for part of today. Rest assured the road is officially a two lane roadway! I joke not. The third...

Jul 5, 2016 - Along The Roman Frontier

Yesterday was our longest driving day. Today was our most ambitious planned itinerary of things to do. I've always wanted to see the remnants of Hadrian’s Wall. Hadrian was a Roman emperor who built a wall across from coast to coast across Northern England to keep the barbarians out. Who were the Barbarians you ask? The Scots! After a hearty breakfast at Low Nest during which we met some lovely people and their dogs, we headed off. Oh and when I say lovely, they were very gracious and heartening. One woman, Julia, offered us the loan of her...

Jun 7, 2013 - Carlisle

After passing through the hilly and dramatic part of the trail we were back into a country walk. These pictures cover 2 days. Today is a rest day in Carlisle. We are going to the Tullie Museum and Carlisle Castle. This city is a border town and has shifted between England and Scotland.

Sep 10, 2012 - An update - York to Carlisle

It looks like we can finally access the site. Our trip to York took us through some gorgeous landscape comprising of green fields with thousands of fat sheep grazing happily on the hillsides, small villages and hamlets, narrow winding roads edged with stone fences and farms set out like a patchwork quilt. York is an ancient city, more than 2000 years old, that has been established by the Romans and conquered by subsequent nations/tribes (vikings, Normans). It has a lot of the original wall encasing the old city of narrow streets. Shambles...

Jun 6, 2011 - Some history from Scotland

Some history of Seil Island - it currently has approx 500 residents. Clachlan Seil is the name of the village immediately over the bridge as you enter onto the island, where you find the historic pub known as the Tigh-an-Truish which is owned by Chantal's (our next door neighbour's eldest daughter) new husbands family. The island itself was part of what was known as the scottish slate islands which are scattered between the mainland of Argyll and the south coast of Mull, some 10 miles south of Oban. All the slate quarrying has stopped now...

May 28, 2011 - A wet and windy day through the mountains

Once again we head towards the lakes area. Unfortunately overcast and drizzly. We return to Ambleside at the top of the Windermere Lake and head towards Borrowdale. From there we travel over the Honister Pass. Extraordinary scenery, even in the rain. Every now and then the sun does its best to break through. Unfortunately there are very few stopping places on English roads and, unless there is no other traffic, we can’t always take photos when we want. David does a good job of hanging out his right hand window clicking away while I am still...

Jul 30, 2010 - Carlisle, Scotland

Thursday 29th – Fine Left Invergarry and drove down to Fort William and caught up with Gary & Val at their camp. Then drove onto Oban arriving around 1pm. Unfortunately we were too late for tours to Islands of Mule and Ionia. Had lunch (Chinese) and then drove onto Taynuilt where we stayed the night. No tea that night. Friday 30th – Wet. Drove down to Carlisle where we were to stay the night, arriving at 4pm. Lovely drove around Loch Lamond and then through Glasgow and down to Gretna Green and onto Carlisle. Had a walk around the CBD and...

May 24, 2010 - Man in the Pub

Crossing into Scotland, a gentle land in the south with prosperous looking farms, we stopped at Wigtown and chatted with a Scotsman in the visitor’s information center; we understood about 70% of what he said as the accents become more guttural. Intrigued by the “Drumtrodden Cup & Ring” notation on our atlas we got off onto a smaller road and drove until we saw the sign. Often these archeology sites are in farmer’s fields but this one was most unusual. We drove up to the farm and parked next to the sign “Cup & Ring Parking, 50p” (for...

Aug 17, 2007 - Carlisle

Today Rach and I started our Hadrian's Wall cycle. Which actually meant catching a train from Leeds after picking a bicycle for me courtesy of Matt's lovely mum, Liza. The train journey was meant to feature lovely countryside and a beautiful, stunning viaduct but as all good planning done by me goes, we ended up catching the wrong trains. That's ok though, we made it to Carlisle. At least by 4pm. Enough time to ride 20 miles to our booked B&B for the night don't you think....