The birds woke me up around 4am this morning. I didn't fancy setting of that early, so went back to sleep for a couple of hours.

It was a lovely warm morning, and I set off around 07:30, heading for my first destination - the village of Wall. I remember going there in (I think) 1984. So I got a photo by the sign just like we did 42 years ago!

After that, it was pretty easy to get back on NCN 72 - the route I'm following at the moment.

It was pretty much all quiet roads today and I could see quite a few Roman remains off to the side. I think the hiking route is better for that as it pretty much follows the path of the wall the whole way. I did pass quite a few walkers though where the route is shared on the road.

I wasn't worried though as I knew there were some sections right on the road I was on, so I didn't detour - I think also quite a few places are all set up as sort of museum tours which I haven't got time for.

I stopped at a garage that had a shop to get some breakfast. Quite eventful as there was a bloke there who filled up, but then said he didn't have any money to pay! The back of his car was full of tools and what looked like half a tree! I was immediately reminded of the blokes who cut down the Sycamore Gap tree (very near by) as like them, this bloke didn't seem to be the sharpest. Anyway, they told him to leave the car and the keys or they'd call the police! Left with little choice, he shuffled off! Probably to try and blag some money to pay for his petrol!

After that entertainment, I carried on my merry way. I knew Vindolandia was coming up and I was soon there. I didn't go in, but the road goes right around it, so I had a good look inside. There was a fair amount of digging going on, so they're still looking for stuff.

I stopped for an early lunch at a nice tea room. I was hoping for some traditional Roman fare, but they didn't have any, so I settled on a Panini, which was as close as I was going to get!

A little while later, I came to a really good section of uninterrupted wall. I'm not sure how much work has been done to stop it completely falling down, but it was pretty impressive none the less.

I was starting to become aware of how slow my progress was what with stopping all the time to look at Roman stuff! It was time to press on.

It was quite hilly - nothing major, but enough to keep the average speed down. I knew once I got close to Carlisle it flattened out.

I had my eye on a campsite and even though it was a fair way, I knew I could get there at a reasonable time if I got my head down.

I found the site eventually and am the only camper here. One of the glamping pods is occupied, but that's it.

I had a cold shower as I was so hot when I arrived, then washed the stuff I was wearing as it should dry pretty quick in this weather.

I have the use of a little kitchen, so I put a big bar of chocolate that was in my bar bag all day and was completely liquid in the fridge! I also cooked a tin of Ravioli (Roman enough!) and smashed that down with some bread.

Once the chocolate was solid again it was fine. Although a very weird shape!

So I'm all done for the evening. I might have a little stroll into the village now. I could quite happily go to bed, but it's a bit too warm still!

Tomorrow is all along the coast, so I'm hoping for a sea breeze!