BRAMPTON OR BUST
SUNDAY 7 TH MAY, 2006
Having bid a sad farewell both to our `wonderful weekend walkers` and our mascot goat Roger, we legged it over the town bridge and eastwards out of Carlisle towards Brampton, some 18 miles onward. A chilling wind soon brought with it rain, much to the encouragement of Dave. "Cor this is just wot it must `ave been like to be a Centurion in these parts two thousand years ago" he said, donning his thermal all-in-one Peter Storm waterproofs. " Fancy a rock cake ?"
We climbed steadily, following the course of the River Eden still strewn with dead trees and decayed undergrowth;testimony to the all too recent and devestating flood. Just prior to crossing the M6 motorway our pace increased; three women of a certain age and disposition who were also walking to Wallsend had caught up with us. We`d thought they`d move on by, but they seemed reticent to do so. "Let`s jog", whispered Dave, "I need to get away". "No" said Nick who was really rather shy. "Best thing to do is to tell `em we`re gay !". And so it was that with almost immediate effect, three very mature women decided to take an early lunch.
We pressed on past Linstock Castle and the village of Low Cosby, following`The Stanegate` Roman Road. Beyond we gained the first site of the `Vallum` that was to accompany us along our route to the North Sea. Dave, a former History Don at Stoke University explained its purpose as a defensive ditch and mound behind Hadrian`s Wall; a sort of Roman barbed wire marking the rear of the military zone. "I hope he ain`t going to be like this all the way", muttered Nick, a ballistics engineer with Wimpey, "it`s bad enough walking into this wind, let alone trying to cope with his".
Six hours and many miles later, Dave finished his talk and we settled down to a well earned pint at The Centurion at Walton. Debate focussed on how to reach Brampton, three miles south of the Vallum, and the location for our overnight stop. As we argued over the virtues of a taxi and the ethics of a `lift`, in strode the three women we had encountered earlier. Rarely can a trio of ageing men who`ve already walked fifteen miles have moved so quickly. Within moments we were out and off across country, following the back route to the village for fear of detection. Few if any ramblers will have been so pleased as we three, to reach The White Lion in Brampton. And after a night there ourselves, I think we knew why !
Ash and Nick get hot (it was a cold day). Those women were right to be concerned !
Further gripping yarns to follow shortly. For details on how to doanate, see Wednesday`s blog.
Having bid a sad farewell both to our `wonderful weekend walkers` and our mascot goat Roger, we legged it over the town bridge and eastwards out of Carlisle towards Brampton, some 18 miles onward. A chilling wind soon brought with it rain, much to the encouragement of Dave. "Cor this is just wot it must `ave been like to be a Centurion in these parts two thousand years ago" he said, donning his thermal all-in-one Peter Storm waterproofs. " Fancy a rock cake ?"
We climbed steadily, following the course of the River Eden still strewn with dead trees and decayed undergrowth;testimony to the all too recent and devestating flood. Just prior to crossing the M6 motorway our pace increased; three women of a certain age and disposition who were also walking to Wallsend had caught up with us. We`d thought they`d move on by, but they seemed reticent to do so. "Let`s jog", whispered Dave, "I need to get away". "No" said Nick who was really rather shy. "Best thing to do is to tell `em we`re gay !". And so it was that with almost immediate effect, three very mature women decided to take an early lunch.
We pressed on past Linstock Castle and the village of Low Cosby, following`The Stanegate` Roman Road. Beyond we gained the first site of the `Vallum` that was to accompany us along our route to the North Sea. Dave, a former History Don at Stoke University explained its purpose as a defensive ditch and mound behind Hadrian`s Wall; a sort of Roman barbed wire marking the rear of the military zone. "I hope he ain`t going to be like this all the way", muttered Nick, a ballistics engineer with Wimpey, "it`s bad enough walking into this wind, let alone trying to cope with his".
Six hours and many miles later, Dave finished his talk and we settled down to a well earned pint at The Centurion at Walton. Debate focussed on how to reach Brampton, three miles south of the Vallum, and the location for our overnight stop. As we argued over the virtues of a taxi and the ethics of a `lift`, in strode the three women we had encountered earlier. Rarely can a trio of ageing men who`ve already walked fifteen miles have moved so quickly. Within moments we were out and off across country, following the back route to the village for fear of detection. Few if any ramblers will have been so pleased as we three, to reach The White Lion in Brampton. And after a night there ourselves, I think we knew why !
Ash and Nick get hot (it was a cold day). Those women were right to be concerned !
Further gripping yarns to follow shortly. For details on how to doanate, see Wednesday`s blog.
posted by George Tortoise at 5:52 AM
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