Day 5 & 6 Gilsland - Carlisle & Carlisle to Bowness On Solway - Written by Michaela

Ok, this is being written a week late, we had little or no wi-fi connection or the time on occasion to be able to update the blog. I do apologise.

We knew that Day 5 was going to be hard, hard on the group of John and the girls who had did the 11 miles the day before, but even harder for the guys who previously walked the full 21 miles - big respect to them for what was a very hard two days.

We set off early, and I must admit at quite a pace at times, we had an initial map/path reading incident which saw us head off in the wrong direction and a quick but frustrating back track to get us back on the right path again ooooops.

Today was a long decline down into the suburbs of Carlisle, the steep hills gave way to much gentler climbs and descents, gentler on the legs but no less painful for some of the walkers who were really beginning to suffer, swollen toes, infections and bleeding feet really took their toll, at this point the conversation did ebb away a little, with everyone concentrating on pacing themselves at what was comfortable for them, and we did our best hopefully to keep spirits up and get to the end of a very long day.
We met up in the evening for a lively meal at an Italian restaurant in Carlisle and headed back to our hotels for a good nights sleep after a few beers in town.

http://www.cambrohouse.co.uk/ and
Cartref Guest House. 44 Victoria Place, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1EX, England 01228 522077
Day 6 saw a positive start to the day, again an early fast pace saw us soon racking up the miles and everyone seemed to be coping with the painful feet quite well, i'm sure this trek has been sponsored by Compeed and Scholl !!!

We passed through some lovely villages, and the terrain was almost flat all the way, more pavement intersperced with trackway which wasn't too hard on the tootsies.

We stopped for a quick lunch at a pub just by the Edward 1st memorial statue and then headed down onto the Estuary pathway, wow what a breeze we got then, we could smell the sea and knew we were almost there, the mood lifted, the pace quickened and we were all intent on getting to the end, everyone focused, ipods set onto dance music or anything with a fast beat and we set off for the Bowness sign.

It was a great feeling as we reached the little porchway to mark the end of the walk, got our passports signed once again and took lots of photo's, congratulations and big hugs passed all around too then we headed off to the Kings Arms which seems to be the end destination for all walkers, it was heaving with Hadrian's Wall veterans all enjoying a celebratory pint or two, or several for that fact.

We had a lovely meal, champagne and played card games, spoons and silly jokes.
We all said our goodbyes and good lucks for the homeward travel and went our separate ways for a good nights sleep.

A great team - 9 friends, 84 miles, 1 wall and £6000.00 - AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday - Wednesday, Johnny's Angels are out!! by Louise and Kirsty

Bonjour a tous nos amis!

For those who'd like a little French test here are a few words to sum up our day:

1. Repos

2. Montangue

3. Plusieurs Montangues

If you didn't get chance to Babel Fish or google these words they basically mean loads of rest (repos) and hills (montangue) and many hills (plusieurs montangues). Although today was to be our rest day, some of us decided to split the 21 mile day into two - at least the reasonable ones! For those of us who choose to survive the rest of the trip (with the others to remain nameless), our first 10 miles were absolutely spectacular, not only in views, but our many giggles and awe struck moments with all the new life around us and all the itty-bitty little lambs. Thank you Pip!!!!

" Johnny's Angels" survived the most treacherous first 5 mins of a super slope that lead us to the first real view of Hadrian's Wall. It was also at a time when Kirsty discovered she can't eat a Mars bar and walk up a steep hill at the same time...tooooooo funnny!!! Disregard the multiple leaps over extremely large cow patties and Kirsty's sad attempt of pole vaulting over one that nearly made her plop straight in the centre of the pile. Again...a very funny moment. There was also a scarry moment of Pippa going head to head with a stubourn cow that refused to move off the path. Do we really need to tell you who won the battle????

All in all, it was the most spectacular day, with well rested ladies (including John) and splitting the days allowed 2 full days of lying-in. If anyone knows me well, I'm all about maxium sleep and as long as possible!

Ladies Day 2

We started Wednesday with another lie-in and breakfast in our jammies, happy in the knowledge that the guys were most likely already up, out, and being route-marched along the path we took yesterday by 'Shoulders' (Adam!!)

After a stop in the cafe by Chesters Fort and getting our passports stamped we hopped a cab to the spectacular Housesteads Fort where we stopped yesterday. It was pretty amazing coming out of a stand of trees, to see the wall, the ruins of a gate arch and then the fort itself in a on top of a hill.

The scenery all along this stretch of the wall is breathtaking and many photos were taken. Some of the paths had sheer drops just inches from our feet, but the pics we took of these just did not do them justice. Equally so the hills themselves as we went up and down them. If you want to know how steep they are,I'd recommend getting out and doing them.

Along the way we kept looking back to see where the guys were, and there was much waving and flashing of torches etc to see if the specks we could see in the distance were actually them...it was!!!!! It was decided that we would try to keep a respectable distance between us and them until we got to Caw Gap where we planned to stop for lunch and also be hidden by the dip of a hill and could time how long it took them to catch us up. It wasn't until they came over the hill and down a very steep path that we found out how close they had been, Shoulders being so relaxed he was juggling rocks on the way down.

With the boys back with us, the conversation soon turned naughty wth many giggles to be had which livened up the afternoon until we reached Gilsland and a pub.

The landscape started getting a bit gentler, crags and steepness being replaced by rolling hills and meadows.

Splitting the 21 mile walk worked for us girls, but all credit due to Eric, Shoulders, Mark and Patrick for doing it in one go. Respect guys xxxx

Dinner in the Samson Inn in Gilsland was just what we needed after a hard day's walking, in fact, the only time we were ever quiet was when food was placed in front of us!!

Monday 3rd May, Heddon on the Hill to Chollerford

We all met outside the Three Tuns, feeling a bit stiff from the day before. Heading off west along B6318, built upon the old wall, taking advantage of the original foundations in place. Weather was marvelous, sunny for nearly all day except two showers. One included hail stones causing a mad rush for additional clothes.
Michaela and Kirsty looked like twins except for different colour tutu's delivering on her commitment to wear them all the way as we achieved target before setting off.
Great to get on the grass after leaving Heddon Hill after a gruelling day on tarmac yesterday, but nobody warned us about the stiles, it felt like hundreds of the buggers by the end of the day. As the tutu's were very short we always insisted on Kirsty and Michaela going first, like true gentlemen!!

The four boys were still reminiscing about the night before in the Black Bull at Wylam, in the great company of Paul and team who graciously allowed us to eat chinese take away in his pub. What a great pub and Paul is clearly a landlord committed to fund raising and very proud of it. Eric is was still raving about Wylam magic!!!. Couldn't believe how much beer he can drink!
After 3 hours of spectacular scenery we arrived at the next Hadrian's Wall stamp point only to find someone had stolen the stamp. A strategy meeting was required in the Robin Hood, which happened to be selling Wylam Magic (Eric was like a kid in a toy shop). Over lunch we met more friendly locals like Zoe, Lauren and Michael who generously sponsored us.

We again bumped into our Dutch friends Vincent and Cor who also donated to our charity.We parted after a joint photo session.

At Whittle Dene Reservoir the girls were whittling on about their bladders again!!! After this wee stop we carried on west over stile and stile and stile and stile.

We have met many people coming the other way. It was great meeting Jackie and Mandy from the Hadrian's School who were walking to raise £200,000 for specialised equipment for their school for children with multiple learning difficulties. We wish them all the best and hope they raise the money as soon as possible.

After a total of 26 miles, from original starting point, we finally came across the original wall at Planetrees. We were really excited to at last put our hands on a wall constructed 2000 years ago to keep the Pict's out.

We then crossed the battlefield of Heavenfield with a beautiful church on top of the hill. This is where St Oswald had a famous victory in 734.

At last we headed downhill on the last stretch to cross the most amazing bridge with fabulous views up and down the North Tyne river.

We then separated to go to our B&B's and had a to wait in The George Hotel for a taxi
Our accommodation, turned out to be the most charming picture post card village called Simonburn where we met Ann Madison, our gorgeous hostess. Anne's Tea Room, Village Shop and B&B (all in one) oozes charm and character.

A great team meeting followed by dinner took place at Hadrian Hotel at Wall before Patrick tucked me in for night before sneaking downstairs with Eric and Adam for another bottle wine with Anne and Dave plus Dexter the teddy bear Westie (dog).

So we woke up, walked, eat and slept. Although this is true, we saw and experienced so much more.
We woke and had a fantastic full English breakfast together. After discussing the weather and deciding what to wear on our feet, backs, legs and heads. The anticipation for the start of walk was seen in everones face. We have prepared for this for months, and now we were minutes away from starting it. We packed up our bags with the Gatoraid that was kindly provided by Britvic drinks. This took everyones bags over the 16kg limit but we thought that would be OK.

Once packed and bags addressed to our next B&B, we all went down to the North Sea for a few pictures with Whitley Bay as the back drop. This seaside town was in it's heyday in the 50's and 60's as it was often visited by Glaswegian factory workers for their annual month off. A direct train link making this a popular choice. Alas, today, it looks like it has had it's own austerity measures for the last few years. It's a bit run down but was a great nights stop for us. Although we were by the water, we weren't at the beginning of Hadrian's Wall. That was about 5 miles away at the town called Wallsend. We didn't have the walking route and it was conveniently only a 15 minute train ride away.

Metro is Newcastle's own city railway. Not only did it let reveller get to the nightlife but were also able to see the morning after for many Hen and Stag parties. One guy was wearing the biggest black eye I had seen since reading Big Dan in the Dandy as a kid. Apperently we should have seen the other guy!

Wallsend is also a town that had passed its peak. We were met outside the station with the shell of a massive burnt out pub. Always a sorry sight. About 5 minutes walk away was the Museum that was built on the site of the Roman baths, barracks and burial site of 600 soldiers. After getting our Passport signed (get all seven stamps and you get a free badge saying you've walked the wall!) we walked along the River Tyne. There were remnents of the original wall near the museum but all of this days walk had sufferd rock borrowing over the years. Not until the end of the day did we see parts of the original wall again. More on that tomorrow as we shall start from there.

The river banks were strewn with derelict buildings. Company names I had heard of as a kid (Swan Hunter etc.) were still there but not producing the great ships that once left their docks. The pathway here was shared as a bicycle route and the continuel group cry of bike bike bike could be heard for the next few miles. Many riders were families from abroad starting or finishing their ride along the wall. We met a couple of Dutch guys walking the same route as us but only Eric and Adam could have kept up with them.

The only other people on the pathway were dog walkers. Mostly walking Pitbulls or other terriers. Boy there was a lot of fouling here. We all smiled when we saw three boys walking their Shetland Pony. We gave that mess a very wide berth!.

For about 3 or 4 miles the area felt very depressed. This peaked when we smelled a strong smell of tar. A sign on a railing didn't just say 'No Swimming' but gave the reason as 'Chemical contamination from local Tar works - Poisonous environment.' We didn't venture on to the banks but I thought what chance have we cleaning the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico if we can't clear up a tar spill on the bank of a river which has been there for decades?

Walking on at a moderate pace we did stop a few times for sock adjustment or application of magic creams to feet and legs. A couple of miles later we were entering the City area. I think locals call it the 'Toon'. As we cornered a bend in the river, we were greeted with the MIllenium Bridge just rising for an oncoming boat. After seeing it rise and fall, Pip decided to run across it as she thought it was one of the most inpiring bridges in the country.

Just after the bridge we had to walk through a market. Bratwursts, sweets , and doughnuts all around us. I knew in a few days time it would have seemed like a mirage. We made it through and then saw the New Castle high on a hill. I wondered what happened to the old castle.

Now I must say that from the museum, Mark, Patrick, Kirsty and Michaela had donned their Tutu's. It took some guts walking through the derelict areas like this but nothing prepared the attention MArk was getting walking past drinkers outside the pubs in Toon. He definitely needed a chaparome when visiting the gents!

Once we started to leave the city we started walking through many suburbs of Newcastle. Not a lot of green but we started to see tree lined walkways. This was great but everything we had walked on so far was tarmac or cobble. This is why many decided to use trainers rather than walking boots as this had been hard work on the Cambridge walk the week before.
Gradually the housing areas reduced and we felt like we were getting into the country. We kept seeing walkers and cyclists going in the opposite direction. With only a few miles to go, we could see that they had been through a lot of hardship to get this far. Three young soldiers were about to complete the walk in only three days. We felt very inadequate then, but boy they were fit.

We found a pub (The Boat House) that was right on the walk. The staff were inviting and even made a donation to our charity. After a pint and packet of crisps we ventured out for the last 5 miles of the day. In all we walked 13.5 miles but it was the last 2 miles that started to test us. I say us, but just before this, the other 4 guys decided to walk along the river about a mile to their B&B rather than to the agreed taxi pick up point (we don't walk from the wall to the B&B thank god). Many thanks to the kind young lady in the photo below for her donation to the BCRT.

This last 2 miles was up hill. Kind of 500 feet up hill. The girls did brilliantly but were adamant that the other guys should walk this bit as if they don't - they will be cheating as they didn't do the whole walk. I'm asking you all to text them or phone them to ensure they restore their pride buy doing the first uphill stage. They might just get a taxi to the top!!

Once the four girls and I got to the top, we were met by a taxi to take us to our B&B - The Bay Horse Inn. We ordered a Sunday Roast and received the largest plate of food I've seen in years. Great quality and fantastic value. Many thanks to Julie for kind donation to BCRT.

After dinner we all retired to rest our souls and soles to get ready for the second day of our Wall walk. THanks for reading this far and I hope it's given you a feel for what we have been up to.

Many thanks for everyones texts and FaceBook updates. It's nice to be in contact.

Bye 4 now
JOhn Hemsley

Accomodation - Bay Horse Inn - Stamfordham - Excellent food and lovely atmosphere.
Boys stayed at Bistro En Glaze - Wylam. What a fantastic restaurant and B& B

Saturday 1st May 2010 - Travel to Newcastle - Written by Michaela

Ok everyone, most of us have arrived safely, it was a very very long day and at the moment it's 9.35pm and 7 of us have arrived at our first B&B of the trek. Pippa and John are on their way and will be arriving a little later.

The drive up was ok, uneventful and traffic thankfully was on our side.

We stopped around half way up at Wetherby at the request of Patricks friends who are now also our new friens too after we spent a glorious lunchtime with them, Many many thanks for a lovely meal to Brian, Carolynn and Flick and also thanks or your kind donation to our cause.

We left this morning with our fundraising target around £60 short of our £5000 target but by the time we arrived in Newcastle we had reached our target which now means that I must keep to my promise to wear a tutu for the whole of the trek, but I will do my best to ensure that the rest of the 'TEAM' also take part, after all they have promised to support the cause to their upmost !!!!

As we drove up the A1 it was lovely to see that despite being May now there was still snow on the North Yorkshire Moors and also along the ridge of the North Pennines.

The scenery and landscape up here is truly breathtaking, dry stone walls that have stood for hundreds of years criss crossing the fields and the hilarious young lambs in the fields which are always a joy to see.

We are currently in the hotel bar enjoying a pint or two (honest just a couple!!)

Our accomodation for the first night was the Oaktree Lodge in Whitley Bay - Highly recommended.

About Our Trek and Hadrians Wall

This is our record of our trek to the Hadrian's Wall Path which will take place in the first week of May over 5 days of walking. This is a great walk along the historic line of Hadrian's Wall, built in AD 122 to mark the northern boundary of the Roman empire in Britain.

The 84 mile route takes you from Wallsend in the east, to the coast at Bowness on Solway in the west. The sites of several Roman forts lie along the route including Segedunum at Wallsend, Chesters, Housesteads, Vindolanda and Birdoswald.

This report contains full details of all stages, we hope that each night a different member of the team will write the report for that day and include pictures from the day. We will also collect together details of the accommodation we stay in. We hope it will be of some use to those who may be planning to do the walk themselves, or encourage others to give it a try.

Please enjoy our reports, and sign into our guestbook and leave comments.

Introduction to this blog.

Trek members:
Michaela Giles
Louise Dalcourt-Hague
John Hemsley
Pippa Hemsley
Kirsty Bostel
Mark Longstaff
Eric Smith
Adam Smith
Patrick Molloy

Bradley Mills over the space of 3 years endured much during his treatment for this cancer, 14 rounds of Chemotherapy, High Dose Chemotherapy, Stem Cell Transplant, Radiotherapy, Reconstructive surgery to both legs, resulting in a below knee amputation of his right leg, all of this following his initial diagnosis in October 2006 of a tumour in his tibia and subsequent metastisis in his jaw in October of 2008and multiple tumours found in September 2009.

Bradley passed away on the 29th October 2009 peacefully with his family around him and was buried in our local church in Abbots Ripton.

Our promise to Bradley was to complete this walk and to do whatever we can to try and make sure that no other child has to endure this treatment, lose or limb or worse, lose a life.

Our friends and family have been hugely supportive and are all willing to take part is this trek whether through the physical walk itself, help with the fundraising and with our training.

Above are photo's of our team, training is going very well, and we are all really looking forward to heading north on the 1st May.

You can also keep up with our training on Facebook page - Skeleton Trek
and sponsor us with a kind donation at www.justgiving.com/skeletontrek

Many many thanks to all those who have donated, either financially or with time and effort in the organisation of this trek.

We shall be using this page to update daily while we are away of our progress and antics i'm sure.

See you all on here in May - Skeleton Trek Team