Good morning from Walton, Cumbria, England! (And side note, doesn't this totally look like Mr. Darcy should be walking towards me any minute!?) swoon
Day 3 of Hadrian's Wall walk was a roller coaster of emotion. I started off with a wonderful breakfast and a packed lunch for the road. On my way out of Walton, I stopped at the church and spoke with some workers who all recommended a visit to Lanercost Priory.
So I headed out of Walton and within 5 minutes, my blisters were announcing themselves. So, of course the logical response, ignore it and keep moving.
I did venture off course to Lanercost Priory and it was.... alright. It's cool that it was made of wall stone so that was my first sighting. But I really just wanted to get moving so I hiked back up the hill to the trail and then I spotted it.... THE WALL! My first sighting and I was so excited. I had walked 15 hours to finally see the wall!
From then on, I was never far away from the Wall. Some parts are only a few courses high, but others, much more substantial. And you can see where they have removed some stones over the years to build fences between fields.
So today was a lot more of walking through fields but this time, following the wall. Now, when they built the wall in AD 122, they built with the best defenses in mind. So that means turrets or milecastles will be at the top of hills. I bet you can guess what that means? A lot of up and down for me and my aching feet. I was doing pretty good just ignoring and blocking out the persistent pain that comes from a third day of walking.
And then I hit a wall. Not Hadrian's but that pesky figurative wall where you question what the heck you're doing. So I was wallowing under a tree and seriously questioning my sanity when my walking companions from the morning (Laura and Julie) came across me. Now, I had other people to keep pace with and to talk to (which helped distract me from the brink of misery).
So we trudged up and down hills together, until we got to Birdoswald Fort. This is the first fort of our walk so we went in to explore. But very quickly I realized I should not be "wasting" my precious steps exploring a fort when I still had over an hour to get to my B&B. I was on fumes at this point. So I said farewell and carried on, up and down the hills with the Wall as my companion.
I thought I was absolutely crushing it when I got to Gilsland, where I was staying the night, until I realized my B&B was up a hill. For another 30 minutes. At this point, I openly wept as I climbed that hill. I cried for my feet. I cried for my back, sore from carrying a 25 lb pack of essentials (honestly, I don't have any way to lighten it). And I cried for the fact that I planned this accommodation and didn't consider the distance from the trail, like I had for all the other places.
But then I got to the B&B and it's a fortified 16th century house that looks like a manor out of those books I love! And my room is gorgeous and the views, swoon.
So I showered, did laundry, took care of my blisters (no new ones, just re-aggravated the existing ones) then had a wonderful salmon, roast potato, and veggie dinner. Followed by cherry pie with cream. And I feel like a slightly more "me" than when I dragged my dirty, weepy butt up that hill.
I felt all my emotions today on the walk. But I also learned a few things about myself. I need to take breaks to rest... I will be able to get back up after and keep moving. I also need to eat regularly... I've been so focused on moving along and seeing the sights that I forget to eat anything substantial. Today, between breakfast and dinner, the only thing I ate was a trail mix, a fruit bar, an apple, a chocolate bar and a bag of chips. Not the greatest fuel for this body.
So tonight, I will rest up. Because I do it all over again tomorrow but this next stage has the most ups and downs of the whole trail, but also some of the most amazing sights! And I'm here. I'm doing this crazy but awesome thing. And I know I can do it. #eatHIKElove
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