Friday 25 July 2014

Roman Holiday

Where did that week go, I had every intention of writing this
at the beginning of the week but life has overtaken me--again.
It seems weeks ago that we were enjoying the last couple of
days our holiday in the Northumberland.

Our last day was fantastic as I forfilled  one
of my ambitions.  This was to walk along Hadrians wall
or at least part of it.

It is such a historic monument and set in such stunning scenery.




This is Crag Lough.  Looking down on it from the top of the Crag
the water was so clear you could see the Swans heads under the water.


Walking is not really for the faint hearted as
although , we only walked 5 miles  as the crow flies,
the up and downs added quite a bit more.







I love the fact that, in places, you can see the wall stretching
away in the distance, but the tree was our destination.



 I couldn't find a picture of the tree which didn't have me
lurking in a corner somewhere but any of you that
have watched Kevin Costner in Robin Hood
( A family favourite from years ago)
this tree is where Morgan Freeman utters the 
immortal words 
" is there no sun in this accursed country"
Mr T insisted on standing on the wall and shouting it,
luckily there was nobody else about.





 A late lunch and the rest of the day was spent in Vindolanda.

Vindolanda is the site of archaeological excavations
which have going on for over 40 years and will be continuing
for a few more years yet.
It is the site of a succession of forts, the first thought to have 
been built around AD 80's.





You can watch and talk to the diggers while they continue to
explore the secrets of the site. It has a great museum
(next to a cafe)
showing the finds and adding some background to
what has been done to restore some of them.
They have found everything from leather boots and textiles
to the Cerialis archive. These are a collection of
postcard sized sheets of wood which have been written on in
Ink. They cover a wide variety of subjects
from children's writing lessons, shopping lists, official forms
and letters home to loved ones.


I found myself riveted  by the whole place
but particularly with anticipation whilst watching the diggers.
Every time someone picked something up,
I found myself wondering what it might be but the only thing
I saw them dig out was a nail of some sort .
Nevertheless I would have loved to have had a go myself.


Luckily whilst we were there the weather was wonderful
but I'm not sure I would have been so keen to work there in the cold and wet.




Hope you all have a great weekend 
wherever you are and I'll see you again soon.

Gillx

8 comments:

  1. Total envy here, I would love to do that walk and look at the wonderful weather you had! I didn't realise that was the tree from that film, perhaps I need to watch it again as we've been looking for a film to watch again. Suzy x

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  2. Oh, lucky you. I have always wanted to visit Hadrians Wall and have/had hopes of walking the entire length some day although seeing your photos of the ups and downs,that might be a bit ambitious! I enjoyed your post.

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  3. What a wonderful history your li'l corner of the world has. Gorgeous photos. I love that tree; how exciting that you stood on the same spot as Morgan Freeman...love that movie. Such a wonderful holiday you have had!!

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  4. Wonderful, Gill. This is my husband's neck of the woods and we have visited these places many times. IN fact he did the actual WALK a couple of years ago - walking far more miles than you measure the wall to be, because of course they had to walk down from the wall to their overnight accommodation each day. Not for the faint-hearted - I didn't go!! And you are quite right, Vindolanda makes you imagine yourself back in time. Gosh, I can even remember the old photographs we took of the boys - they were quite little then! Happy memories, thank you! Lxxx

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  5. Archaeological digs are so interesting. We found one on Skye when we stayed a few years ago. The people working in it showed us round and explained it all.

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  6. Love your little jaunts, Gill. I've always wanted to go to Hadrian's Wall - it looks so atmospheric - especially so when your Hubby is shouting quotes from films at the top of his lungs!!lol That's a great shot of the tree against that blue sky! Wish this weather would go on forever - though today we were thankful for a little rain as a respite to the humidity - bad for the hair!!Hope you're having a good weekend.x

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  7. Hello Gill, I am so happy to meet you and delighted to have found your lovely blog. I have always loved traveling, but have never had the budget to do much of it. So, if you don't mind, I will tag along on your adventures. I find that my blogging sisters show photos of the true landscape and not just what you see in each and every travel brochure. I love seeing into the heart of a country and it's people. This wall is incredible and I love the little stair-steps going over the wall. I hope that you were wearing good shoes. That's the Mom or maybe the Grandma in me speaking :) Got to love comfortable shoes for walking.
    My life will probably seem very boring to you, but I would like to invite you to visit my blog and to follow me back. I have met so many lovely and talented people through blogging. It is wonderful how much we all have in common, even if we live on the other side of the world :)
    Have a wonderful day.
    Your new blogging sister, Connie :)

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  8. Such a wonderful place, we went there about 10 years ago when the kids were little.

    And, like your husband, I had to shout out a film quote - but mine was "Are you not entertained??!!" from Gladiator!

    Helenxx

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