A Ramble in Compassion
In the second part of Laura Feinberg's account of her walk along Hadrian's Wall, we delve into the hopes attached to the trek.
A Ramble in Compassion
https://www.contours.co.uk/ramble-in-compassion
Laura Feinberg booked a ten-day trek along Hadrian’s Wall, from west to east, with Contours Holidays. In the second of a four-part series, with trusty companions she makes a start on the walk itself.
On day one a merry band of three met that auspicious morning to travel by train again, this time to Carlisle, and from there to Bowness-on-Solway, and the Shore Gate House Bed and Breakfast, the start of our adventure.
Walking along the Wall for its entire length is the realisation of an ambition ignited in my early twenties. As mentioned, it is particularly important to me as a mid-life personal challenge, a ‘reset’ linking back to a long-distance trek I did as a young adult, to reconnect with my determination and ability to succeed at that which I put my mind to.
Life has happened in the interim, and I’ve learned many hard lessons about the need to rest, take things easy and make time for self-care. Perhaps I will find there is a balance to be found when the pendulum swings too far in either direction.
I wonder if Hadrian’s Wall can morph from being a historical symbol of division, protection and conflict, to being a kind of ‘handrail’, a support to finding peace and balance in the twenty-first century.
As soon as we arrived, all boded well when we bumped into an inspiring and fresh-faced couple also arriving but on foot at the end of their walk. They seemed to be ‘in the present’, the ‘Hadrian’s Wall moment’, looking happy and fulfilled, so in fine company and conversation we got to hear more about the walk as we settled with a cuppa in the comfortable lounge.
“Don’t overthink it,” said David, the perceptive accommodation owner.
Feeling both reassured and flush with anticipatory thrill of the challenge ahead, we decided to follow tradition and visit the King’s Head pub for our evening meal, and good food and conversation.
The start of the walk is right there, so for the rest of the evening we explored, following the small path which led to the official start hut overlooking the Firth.
Although we were tracing the footsteps of countless others before us, this was the first time we could see the trail for ourselves.
The adventure had begun!
Interested in walking Hadrian's Wall Path?
Contours Holidays offer a variety of itineraries along Hadrian's Wall Path: the full-route option, highlights trail, half-route walks and a dedicated short break. Find your holiday here:
Sustainability Writer and Content Strategist
Laura is a writer and creative problem-solver who loves the meaningful things in life, such as coffee and cake in good company, nature, and writing and receiving postcards.
More of her work can be found on her website www.thestrictlysustainablewriter.com
