With the sun unusually shining on a bank holiday, we thought we should do what every boy should do, and go to the seaside.
Although not famed for miles of golden beaches the nearest place to visit is the Solway.
Dad decided that we should continue the walk we started a few weeks ago when we visited Drumburgh and came upon the Hadrian’s Wall Path. So we were off to visit Bowness on Solway.
Looking out towards the Solway
Officially known as the Hadrian’s Wall Path, some people refer to this route it as The Hadrian’s Wall Trail, The Hadrian’s Wall Walk or just the 84 miles between Newcastle and Bowness-on-Solway walk.
This got dad wondering what the difference is between a path, a trail and a walk… He needs his medication increased again!
Walk along the beach
To ensure we got a good bit of exercise, we parked the car near to Glasson and venture out onto the salt marsh.
Horse and pony enjoy the late morning sunshine
Ahead of us lay miles of mud, so we kept the the grass paths and worked our way along the coast to our left.
Occasionally Charlie would disappear below the grass line only to emerge soaking wet from a sand hole filled with water. We had to keep an eye on the path as occasionally these holes were covered in grass and just waiting to swallow us up.
Apart from the lovely view and the sea breeze, this part of the coast is quite quiet and free from many humans.
TV Cameraman and Haaf net fisherman
In a field to our left we came across a big white horse and a smaller pony enjoying some late morning sunshine. Mum initially thought the big horse may have been dead or ill, but it soon moved and looked up as we approached.
Haaf nets on TV
Away in the distance dad spotted a couple of haaf net fishermen trying to catch some fish in the main water flow.
Closer examination showed that one of the fishermen seemed to be doing a tv interview right in the middle of the Solway.
Remains of the harbour wall at Port Carlisle
In the picture the camera tripod can clearly be seen on the right and the fisherman, resting on his net is to the left. We wondered how long it would take to get all the sand out of the camera equipment.
Hadrian’s Wall Path
Our grass coastal path faded out as we approached the Cottage and Glendale Holiday Park and we took to the road for a short distance before spotting some signs indicating the Hadrian’s Wall Path continued to our right through a gate.
This path was well drained and had a loose stone surface so was ok to walk on or to push a buggy along.
Alongside the path were a number of assorted plants including an apple tree, a pale blue hydrangea, and some nasty knotweed as well as the usual gorse, broom and brambles.
Occasional gaps in the hedge gave glimpses of the solway beyond and in the air could be heard some new sounds of sea birds.
Port Carlisle
After what seemed a very long walk, our path exited on the outskirts of Port Carlisle, and the old harbour wall in the distance.
The Banks or The start or finish of the Hadrian's Wall walk
Port Carlisle, as it’s name suggests, was once a bustling area of trade and the sea end of the Carlisle Canal.
Port Carlisle, or Fishers Cross as it was once known, opened up trade to nearby Liverpool for the local merchants and traders.
The canal was around eleven miles long, 18ft wide and featured eight sets of lock gates.
In 1853, the canal company ran in to financial troubles and the canal was drained and filled in.
The end of the Hadrian’s Wall Path
We skirt around the edge of Port Carlisle and make our way towards Burgh-by-Sands using the road. We are kept on short leads to ensure we don’t venture too far out into the passing traffic.
After what would be around almost 90 miles for some walkers, the entrance into the village is a little bit flat and not what you may expect following your marathon.
Poem on the railings
A wooden fingerpost bids welcome and points in the direction of the finishing post, up a narrow ally behind some houses.
The bench seat will make a welcome feature as you gaze out across the bay and look back on your journey.
As is customary at locations such as this, a number of boards on the wall explain what you have just, or are about to, experience on the Hadrian’s Wall path.
A poem, written by Jim Eldridge, is carved into the hand rails as you approach the finishing line.
It represents the cultural influences on Bowness on Solway. The four lines of the poem are carved in English, Roman Latin Cumbrian dialect and Scots Gaelic.
Just starting the walk ?
Symbolism features heavily at this point of the walk. Nearby a wooden seat reflects the Haaf net fishermen whilst the planting features herbs available in Roman times.
Each end of the wooden shelter has a carved plaque above it. If you are starting the walk you are bid ‘Good luck’ as you arrive you are bid ‘Welcome’.
Bowness on Solway
We took a few moments to cool our paws and tummies on the mosaic floor featuring local animals and birdlife before we returned down the lane towards Bowness on Solway.
Our quest took us in search of a stamp. One of the notices in the shelter indicated that we should collect stamps on our walk, as proof we had done the assorted stages. It also suggested that we needed to try one of the assorted locations in the village.
The Banks - the official stamp of the Hadrian's Wall Path
The local pub, The Kings Arms was first. It was closed, well it was before noon, so the second place was the Lindow Hall.
Lindow hall is down the lane towards the church. Great, it was open and also it had toilets for the two leggers.
Mum spots the official Hadrian’s Walk Path stamp sitting on a small table in the entrance hall.
No doubt an official book exists for your collection of stamps however we currently don’t have one, so what to stamp, mum’s wrist or Charlie’s tummy?
Mum drew the short straw and is now marked. At least we will know if she washes her arms at all.
Port Carlisle and some gravy
After a quick trip to the church to gather some stories for gravestonepix.com, we make our way out of the village and back towards Port Carlisle and hopefully something to eat.
Outside the Hope and Anchor a number of seats and tables have been set out in the shadow of a couple of apple trees.
Cool shade, nice surroundings and the whiff of gravy in the air, we settle down in a corner onto the cool slate chip gravel.
Drinks arrive and so does some food after a short while. Scampi for mum and steak and kidney for dad. Resistance is futile and dad shares the occasional chip, dipped in licky gravy, with us.
With our legs rested and our tummies refilled, we return along the road to the car. Dad estimates our journey to be about 9 miles and just long enough for us to be worn out without being too sore.
Until next time
Buster and Charlie
