Hadrian's Wall Path: There & Back

Found the perfect place to park in Burgh by Sands -  a Village Car Park with a donation box.   Find it on the other end of the recreation ground next to the Greyhound Inn.   Today we set out on bikes to cover the long flat stretch of road back to Drumburgh.  We decided to head into the wind on the outward journey and coast back with it on the return.  A good plan. This three mile stretch of road follows a dismantled railway line which serviced Port Carlisle.  The road is open to marshes on one side and an embankment on the other.  I can imagine how bleak this section of HWP could be on a drizzly December day with the tide lapping at your feet but our day was bright and sunny with no fear of flooding. It was a huge feeling of elation returning to where we had arrived the day before:  a true sense of "we did it".   The return ride was far more leisurely with time to talk to the cows and sheep and admire Boustead Hill from the emb...

We dropped our bikes off near the village green at Glasson.  This location was perfect:  out of the way, under trees but in clear sight of passers-by and a few houses.  Then we continued to Bowness on Solway where we parked next to the sign at the start of HWP. Having got the first stamp in our passports we headed off along the shore line. chucks, coffee & our first stamp The Banks Promenade Seeds gave an enchanted feel to the path alongside the abandoned canal near Port Carlisle. The outer wall of Port Carlisle .  My other half, a keen sailor  found this old port & its Steam Packet Quay fascinating. . debris caught on the wire fence We followed the well signed path to Glasson then decided to continue on foot to Drumburgh with its C16th red sandstone castle.  We had intending to come back a slightly different way but unfortunately, although the stile was well maintained, it seemed someone had built a house on the footpath.  We resist...