Scotland Trip - Hadrian's Wall

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Friday, June 23, 2006

My parents (in their 60's) invited Sarah and me (in our early 30s) to visit Scotland with them.  As none of us had ever been we were very excited to go.  All of us had been to England numerous times and Sarah had even lived there for a year, but no one had ever gone north of Hadrian's Wall.  So, off we went!
 
Yesterday morning we arrived at Heathrow about 8 AM.  We drove all the way to Hadrian's Wall -- arriving about 3 PM!  What a long day's drive, at least the traffic wasn't bad.   We went to look at the wall briefly before returning to our B&B, Yew Tree Chapel. (The B&B is now a self-catering house called The Old Sunday School)

NOTE:  Both my father and I are used to driving after the transatlantic flight.  It is probably too far for one person to drive immediately after landing.  Especially, if you have never done a long drive after landing.

A view of Hadrian's Wall while standing on it

A view of the land north of Hadrian's Wall

Sheep grazing next to Hadrian's Wall

Another view from the wall

 Hadrian's Wall was built while the Roman Emperor Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire.  The wall was intended primarily to keep the Roman Britons separate from the natives.  Construction began in 122 and stretched from the Irish Sea to the west to the North Sea in the east.  Essentially, separating the modern day countries of England and Scotland.

Yew Tree Chapel is an amazing converted Methodist Chapel in Slaggyford, England.  We were served a delicious evening meal last night.  The breakfast this morning did not disappoint either.  If we return to this part of England, this is definitely where we will stay!
 

Yew Tree Chapel

Entry courtyard to Yew Tree Chapel

Front door of Yew Tree Chapel, Slaggyford

The sitting room at Yew Tree Chapel

You walk under the organ pipes to enter the dining room

Stained glass windows in Yew Tree Chapel

Sitting room at Yew Tree Chapel

This morning Sarah and I ran  about 3 1/2 miles on the Pennine Way which passes our front door.  It got muddy and narrow quickly one direction, so we turned around and on the other side of the road the Way opened up to a nice wide grassy track along the former railroad track.  The place was absolutely full of North American rabbits!  I can't wait to see Scotland today!

Scotland Itinerary - Day 1
Heathrow Airport to Slaggyford (almost a 6 hour drive)
Hadrian's Wall (about 30 minute drive from Slaggyford)