A year on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail - August 2012, part 8

My first visit to the Trail in August was later than usual in the month. This was due to me being away on holiday in Suffolk. I dressed for fine weather and left my gaiters and waterproof trousers at home. At Heavenfield, the early morning mist shrouded St. Oswald's Church and the ground was damp with the dew.

Fingerpost at Stanley Plantation - 10/08/2012.

It did not take long before my walking boots and bottom of my trousers were wet. I was regretting leaving my gaiters at home. Heavenfield's grass had been cut for hay, it was waiting for some sun, the recent wet weather has made this very late this year.

On the three and a quarter mile walk east, I stopped at all of the gates, stiles and fingerposts to cut back the grass and vegetation, the mist did not burn off until mid morning, at eleven oclock I met my first walkers of the day, as I was cutting back at the last stile of my section. One of the walkers was an American who was on the fourth day of his walk travelling east and the other two were Dutch who had just started their walk at Corbridge today.

Fingerpost at Stanley Plantation - 10/08/2012.

I had completed all of the maintenance tasks on the eastward leg of my walk in just over three hours. After packing up all of my gear into my rucksack, I set off back to Heavenfield and got back to my car in just over one hour of walking. By the time I reached my car, the sky was a brilliant blue and the sun was shining brightly.

The Trail needs a long period of this kind of weather to recover from the rain of recent months. Walkers get such a tremendous experience on the Trail, it does make all the difference when they get to do the walk in fine weather.

On the return leg looking west- 10/08/2012.

Weather for the week of my next visit was to turn to heavy rain and strong winds, this was to be for the end of the week, so I made my second visit in August when there was some sun and no rain. Looking back at previous years walking seasons, the numbers of walkers I have met this year whilst out on the Trail is considerably down. The wet weather of the last few months seems to have put walkers off from coming to Northumberland.

Walking west - 14/08/2012.

Whilst out today I did not meet any walkers completing the full Trail. The only people I saw were some locals out with their dogs. My visit to my section today was more of a gentle walk, compared with some of my walks of recent weeks. Last week, I spent a great deal of time cutting back grass and vegetation. There was no need for me to do any work beside and underneath the gates, stiles and fingerposts.

Going into Heavenfield - 14/08/2012.

 My early start saw me complete the round trip to Heavenfield lay by, in just over three hours. My only task today was to pick up some litter dropped along the Trail. I also had to get down into the bottom of the Wall ditch and vallum to remove some fertiliser bags that had been blown there by the wind. Today's visit was to be my twenty eighth walk of the section. During that time, I have continued to document 2012 on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail using my camera.

Beside the Wall vallum - 14/08/2012.

 With the weather forecasters predicting heavy rain for the Bank Holiday weekend, I collected all of my gear together and got out on the Trail again trying to complete my walk and get the photographs without getting wet. It took me just under three hours to do the walk of my section. Although the ground was still wet and waterlogged in places, I did not have to put on my waterproof gear.

August view looking east - 24/08/2012.

 The sky remained grey and threatening, at some points along the Trail, I felt some drops of rain. I only met two walkers today when I was out. They were walking the Trail from Carlisle to Heddon on the Wall. Compared with previous years, there seems to a large reduction in the amount of walkers this season. The weather seems to have put off walkers this year.

Walking west in Stanley Plantation - 24/08/2012.

Over the last few weeks I have had to cut back the grass and vegetation around gates and stiles. The warm wet weather is still making the grass grow and in some places, some time was spent tidying up. I even had to do a spot of dry stone walling near to St. Oswald's Tea Room, cows must have been in the field and dislodged the stones from the base of the wall, beside one of the gates.

Walking west back to Heavenfield - 24/08/2012.

 Saturday 13th March 2010, saw Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail illuminated with 500 points of light from gas burners and flares. In total, 1200 illuminators were stationed at 250 metre intervals along the 84 mile route. The 'line of light' started at Wallsend and travelled across the country until it reached Bowness on Solway.

The progress of the 'line of light' was filmed using a helicopter, the first beacon was lit at 5.45 p.m. and the last at just after 7.00 p.m.

Illuminating Hadrian's Wall 2010 - Steel Rigg, Northumberland.

Two years later, Hadrian's Wall will been seen in a whole new light on the 31st August and 1st September. Connecting Light arrives in Hadrian's Wall Country as part of the London 2012 Festival. The Wall will be illuminated by 400 - 6ft diameter weather balloons.

It is an interactive installation that will allow you to send messages in light over 73 miles. There are nine dramatic viewing locations where there will be help to get you involved.

For full location details go to www.hadrians-wall.org and click on 2012 Events.

You can watch it at home or on the move at  www.connectinglight.info

A year on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail - July 2012, Part 7

My first visit to my section in July was to be on the second day of the month. After the torrential rain we have experienced, I made sure I was carrying all of my waterproof  clothing and I was expecting to have to walk through large areas of wet and muddy ground.

Starting off, waterproofs were to stay in my rucksack and the Trail on the grassland was drying out and not as bad as I expected. It was not to last though, I had to walk through some showers and try to get through some large waterlogged and muddy areas.

Waterlogged Vallum beside the Trail - 02/07/2012.

 During my walk of the section, I am always on the lookout for litter and as usual, there was some to pick up! I also had to cut back the vegetation around the gates, stiles and fingerposts. The wet and warm weather certainly is making everything grow fast.

Being a Monday, I tend not to meet many walkers, today I met and talked to ten walkers completing the full Trail. Four were Dutch and two were Australian. Moving off the grassland, it was not long before I came across the rain affected areas. The Trail became waterlogged and very muddy. In some places there was no option but to walk straight through it.

Mud on the Trail - 02/07/2012.

The worst part of my section was found to be the Trail in Stanley Plantation. Walking up the slight gradient to the highest point was quite difficult because of the mud. You could see where the walkers have got off the path to avoid the mud. In my time as a Volunteer Ranger, I have not seen the Trail in such a poor condition. Worse was to come as I came to the gate out of Stanley Plantation travelling east. The heavy rain had made the path a quagmire.

Waterlogged Path in Stanley Plantation - 02/07/2012.

Before going out for my second visit of the month I watched an early morning weather forecast. The presenter after describing where the rain would be, said, "It was more like October than July!" It was again waterproofs weather as I started off from Heavenfield.

I had only walked about a hundred yards when the rain started to fall steadily and my walking boots were starting to get very wet and muddy. Over my last few visits there has not been a great deal of litter to pick up. Today there was a large amount of litter over the whole of the three and a half miles to The Errington Arms car park. I picked up four plastic water bottles discarded on the path. It surprises me how walkers can carry a full bottle, but are unable to carry them when they are empty!

View of waterlogged Vallum - 09/07/2012.

I had my section of the Trail all to myself for at least two hours. As I was walking east I stopped at each gate, stile and fingerpost to cut back the grass, nettles and other kinds of vegetation. It was while I was cutting the grass on the last stile that I was to meet five walkers with a large black labrador dog.

Finishing the job, I packed all my tools into my rucksack and set off on the return leg to Heavenfield. The rain had eased by eleven oclock and I made good time dodging the muddy and waterlogged areas.

View looking north - 09/07/2012.

If the rain continues, I suppose we will be on for the wettest July on record. It certainly is making the path hard to walk on. Stanley Plantation path is virtually muddy along its entire length. Even when you get out of the wooded area, there are other parts that are as muddy.

Another muddy section of the path - 09/07/2012.

What kind of weather would I experience for my third visit to my section? The week between my visits saw torrential rain again and we actually got some sunny and dry days towards the weekend. One thing for sure, I will make sure I carry all of my waterproof clothing, just in case. This time last year, the ground was dry and rock hard on the Trail. 2012 will probably be remembered as the wettest and muddiest!

Starting again at Heavenfield, the sky was full of dark clouds. It did not look as though I would do my walk without any rain. The path in Heavenfield had been cut since my visit last week. The ground was less muddy and further work had been carried out beside St. Oswald's Tea Room - vegetation that I had cut back to clear the path had been completely strimmed by the permanent lengthsmen.

Newly mown path in Heavenfield - 16/07/2012.

After I had been walking for half an hour the rain started, it passed over quite quickly and I was to complete the walk and work along the section without the need of putting on my waterproof gear. The path still continues to be very wet and muddy. At various points along the Trail you get small amounts of foxgloves growing in the Wall ditch, amongst the now flowerless gorse bushes.

Foxgloves on the Trail - 16/07/2012.

It was very quiet for walkers on the Trail today. I only spoke to four walkers in the three and a half hours I was out. As I was nearing Stanley Plantation, I came across the two lengthsmen from Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited. They had been very busy cutting back vegetation, relaying stone flags and laying plastic boards on the muddy sections.

It was a transformation from what it was like last week. Walkers will be able to walk on this part keeping their feet dry and out of the mud. Hopefully the heavy rainfall we have experienced has finished and we can finish the season with some dry and sunny weather.

Maintenance of the Trail - 16/07/2012.

It was great to carry out my last visit in July in dry weather. I did not need my gaiters, waterproof jacket or over trousers. The Trail was drying out and I managed to finish with dry and mud free walking boots. Reaching Errington Hill Head I looked to the north and saw a rainbow, I quickly got out my camera and the following photograph.

Early morning rainbow - 23/07/2012.

The warm and wet weather has continued to make the grass and vegetation grow fast around the gates and stiles. I have managed to keep on top of this over the last few weeks and it is a relatively easy job to cut back. A small amount of litter was discarded by walkers and I picked this up on my walk travelling east.

On the trail return leg - 23/07/2012.

On this visit, I met fifteen walkers all completing the full trail. Over the last few weeks walkers have had to deal with the torrential rain and waterlogged and muddy areas. The walkers I met today included four Dutch and three Irish. Most of the time I was involved in carrying out the maintenance tasks when they came up to me. The walkers are very appreciative of the work that we Volunteer Rangers carry out and how well the trail is marked and maintained.

My last maintenance task of the day was to cut the grass under the stile close to The Errington Arms. My next visit to my section will be in August after I have been away on my annual holidays.

Last maintenance task - 23/07/2012.

A year on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail - June 2012, Part 6

As we get closer to the longest day, the weather continues to be changeable and the number of walkers on the Trail are starting to increase. It is also at this time of year that the maintenance work we have to complete also increases, particularly cutting back the vegetation around the gates and stiles. 

A wet June morning, walking east on the Trail - 08/06/2012.

It was to be another early start for me as I started my first visit to my section in June. Full waterproofs were needed, as the rain was to fall steadily for all of the time I was out. The warm recent weather certainly makes the vegetation grow faster and you could see where the grass had needed to be cut on the Trail.

I was only to walk a few hundred yards before I needed to cut back the nettles beside the gate into Heavenfield. I was not really looking forward to my next task, even if it had not been raining! On my last visit the grass and vegetation was starting to encroach onto the path beside St. Oswald's Tea Room at Hill Head Farm. You could only just see the steps and I started to cut back, armed only with garden shears.

It took me about half an hours work to clear the path. At least the walkers can now walk through the area without getting their legs soaked in this weather.

Steps at St. Oswald's Hill Head Farm - 08/06/2012

As it was only a temporary solution, I had to report that the lengthsmen from Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited would have to make a visit with their strimmers to complete the job.

The major task for me was completed and I then made steady progress in the rain stopping to pick up litter, rake over some molehills and cut back brambles in Stanley Plantation.

On the six and a half mile round trip, I met ten walkers completing the full trail. It was not the day to stop and talk and it was heads down for the walkers in a wide variety of waterproof gear. The Trail was drying out, but this prolonged period of rain has made the path in Stanley Plantation very muddy and waterlogged in the dips and hollows out on the grassland.

The Trail beside the Wall ditch walking west - 08/06/2012.

My second visit of the month was to be on a sunny June morning, summer is not far off and of course the longest day. There was not any need for waterproofs today and the sky was blue, giving magnificent views of the countryside to the north and south.

On my last visit the wet weather made for a miserable walk and all along my section you could still see the effects of the heavy rain: Stanley Plantation was still very muddy, there was standing water in the Vallum and Wall Ditch and the grassland was still wet under foot.

Sunshine on the Trail, travelling east - 18/06/2012.

 On my last visit, I cut back vegetation around gates, stiles and fingerposts. It was to be more of the same today as the warm wet weather has certainly made the vegetation and grass grow quickly. Overall my six and a half mile walk of the section took me just over four hours as I was stopping frequently to use the shears on the growing vegetation.

Stile and fingerpost on trail, looking west - 18/06/2012.

Normally when I am out on a Monday, I do not see many walkers, today it was busier than usual, I met thirteen walkers completing the full trail and a dog walker. I am not picking up as much litter along my section. There is normally something that has to be reported to Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited, and on my eastward leg I had to take a photograph of a problem area.

The entrance to Stanley Plantation used to have a gate, before it was stolen. Now the coping stones and other courses of the wall are being taken. In this day and age nothing surprises me, but the cost of replacement and building work has to found.

Missing stonework at Stanley Plantation - 18/06/2012.

The forecast was for it to be calmer until midweek, but more rain was predicted before the end of what has already been one of the wettest Junes on record. This spurred me on to make another visit to my section.

Evidence of the heavy weekend rain - 25/06/2012.

The torrential rain of the weekend was still in evidence, as I completed my usual round trip of Heavenfield to The Errington Arms. The ground was waterlogged, muddy and slippery underfoot in places. This heavy rainfall is not the type of weather for a National Trail that consists mainly of grassland. The heavy footfall of high numbers of walkers soon churns up the ground and makes it very muddy. Cattle and sheep also make the path very muddy in places.

Waterlogged area - 25/06/2012.

It was to remain dry for my walk and the sun even came out at times in a cloudy and overcast sky. The round trip took me just over three hours as I did not need to do any cutting back of vegetation at any points. All of the signs and way markers were intact and I met eight walkers in total - three Americans were completing the full trail one walking it from the west and two walking east.

When we stop and talk to walkers, It does not take them long to see the logos on our waterproofs and that we are volunteers. I always ask if they have experienced any problems whilst on the Trail, if there are any, I pass the information on to Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited. One thing I do find is that the majority of walkers are very appreciative of the work that we do, this makes all of the hard work worthwhile. I consider myself very lucky and privileged to be able to be Volunteer  Ranger on this fantastic World Heritage site.

Muddy path in Stanley Plantation - 25/06/2012.

A year on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail, May 2012 - Part 5

The first day of May saw the start of the 2012 Walking Season on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail. It was to be a dry sunny day with a north easterly wind. After the wet weather of the last few weeks it was needed to help dry out the trail, before the walkers get out and about.

Beside the site of Milecastle 24 - 01/05/2012.

 The Trail in Stanley Plantation continues to be very wet, muddy and quite slippery in places. Out on the open grassland it is starting to dry out again, but there are still a great deal of waterlogged places for you to try and negotiate and keep your feet dry.

There is certainly more colour to be seen as you walk - the grass is getting greener and the gorse bushes are in full flower. On my walk today I cut back brambles and nettles, cleaned the stiles from mud and moss, raked flat a few molehills and picked up a small amount of litter.

On my way back into Heavenfield I noticed that an Acorn way maker had been removed, it was a two minute job to replace with one of the spares I carry. Someone must have thought it would be a good souvenir to take home!

The colour of the Trail - 01/05/2012.

It was an enjoyable morning and I met three day walkers and three walkers completing the full Trail. I also had to give three Australian visitors in a car, directions to Housesteads. They were taking the time to visit Hadrian's Wall whilst on their way up to Edinburgh.

Heavenfield in May - 01/05/2012.

My second visit of May was after a day of heavy rain and as I started there was still heavy drizzle. As suspected the ground was muddy and still waterlogged in places. It certainly is not what is needed for the Trail which consists mainly of grassland. The weather forecast for the rest of the month is for more rain and low temperatures for the time of the year.

Waterlogged Wall Ditch - 11/05/2012.

It was very quiet on my section and not the day to remain still for long. Full waterproofs were essential and although there were some areas of vegetation that needed attention, it was too wet! I would sort out them out on my next visit when it hopefully is drier.

Waterlogged Vallum beside Stanley Plantation - 11/05/2012.

For walkers on the Trail, this weather makes walking difficult and uncomfortable, it can take away all enjoyment of the historic site and the wonderful scenery in Northumberland. Looking back at my photographs of the 2011 season, I found the photograph below taken at around the same date. It certainly shows the contrast in the weather and the condition of the Trail.

Early May 2011 Season.

There was little let up on the wet weather and colder temperatures for my third visit. I was wanting to cut back the grass and vegetation around the stiles and gates but decided against it as it was just too wet. My work today was the normal litter picking and replacing some of the signs and way markers.

Trail walking east - 18/05/2012.

My early start was made under dark overcast clouds and I had completed about an hours walk before the rain started and became heavy enough for me to need my waterproofs. The Trail on the areas of grassland is coping well, close to and in Stanley Plantation it continues to be very muddy.

Wall Ditch looking west - 18/05/2012.

The majority of walkers met today were travelling east and whilst replacing a way marker near to the Military Road I had to give directions to three Dutch Visitors in a car who wished to see some of Hadrian's Wall. I suggested that they made a visit to Housesteads where they could see the Fort and standing sections of the Wall.

Close to St. Oswald's Tea Room - 18/05/2012.

For my final visit of May, I decided to try and make an earlier start because of the brilliant sunshine and high temperatures we have been enjoying. It was about 7.30 a.m. when I reached Heavenfield and started the walk in the sun under a bright blue sky.

Heavenfield was covered in a wide range of wild flowers including Buttercups, Clover, Daisies and Dandelions. It was such a colourful sight that I had to take a picture.

Wild flowers in Heavenfield - 28/05/2012.

With the recent rain and this spell of fine weather the grass and vegetation has grown considerably around the gates and stiles on the trail. As I did not get it done on my last visit, it was a job that needed to be done before it got too long. As well as cutting the vegetation, I cleaned the mud from the steps of the stiles.

This slowed me down and it was after 12 oclock when I reached the Errington Arms car park. Over the time I was walking east, I met 12 full trail walkers which included two Dutch and two American walkers. On the way I came across the site of the last accident, it was good to see the wall had been rebuilt.

Wall rebuilt at accident site - 28/05/2012.

The return leg back to Heavenfield took just over an hour and I met only one other walker. Normally on the six and a half mile round trip I pick up about two bags of litter. This is the first time I have hardly picked up any. The trail is looking in good condition and the colours today were magnificent to see. The year marches on and I hope we get a long spell of dry weather to keep my section free from the mud we have experienced in April and early May.

Heavenfield looking north - 28/05/2012.

A year on Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail - April 2012, Part 4

The first week in April began with a wide variety of weather: rain, wind, sleet, snow, ice and sunshine. It was a bright frosty morning when I undertook my first walk of the new month. There was still a great deal of snow in places on the Trail and in the Wall Vallum and Ditch. Over the course of the morning, the sun continued to shine against a brilliant blue sky.

Sun, gorse and snow - 05/04/2012.

By mid morning after a brisk walk and carrying out some routine tasks, it was getting quite warm again. Walking west, I was making good progress until I came to the path in Stanley Plantation.

The path was blocked in a few places with fallen branches. The wind and weight of the recent snow fall was obviously the cause. I managed to move the heavy branches and cleared the debris away to the side of the path. Further along the path a tree branch had fallen and jammed itself against a tree on the opposite side, forming an arch. I could not move it, so it was reported to Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited for them to arrange the lengthsmen to come out and cut it down with a chainsaw.

The path in Stanley Plantation - 05/04/2012.

I reached The Errington Arms car park after about one and a half hours walking and picking litter etc. I met no other walkers on the easterly leg of the trip and I set off back to Heavenfield.

On the westerly leg, I cleared some brambles and vegetation that was starting to encroach onto the path. At times it was very quiet and all you could hear was the calls of various birds: pheasants, curlews and crows.

I had just crossed the Military Road at Errington Hill Head, when I met the first two walkers of the day. They were walking east and they would finish their days walking at Heddon on the Wall.

The sun was still shining brightly as I finished my walk, it had taken just under three hours to complete the six and a half mile round trip. The Trail continues to be in good condition as we move coser to the start of the 2012 walking season in May.

Snow in the Wall ditch, looking west - 05/04/2012.

The 2012 walking season is just around the corner and I continue to get out on the Tail weekly to ensure that all is well for the walkers and visitors to the iconic and historic monument. April showers is the best way to describe the weather! The Trail continues to get a small amount of walkers, it will soon get quite a pounding by hundreds of feet.

As well as walking on my section, I try to get out and visit other sites of interest in the Hadrian's Wall Corridor. Walkers and Visitors alike have some great places to visit and take in the wonderful scenery. The following photographs were taken on some of my visits.

Cawfields.

Milecastle 39 - Castle Nick.

Sycamore Gap.

April started with snow and it was to end with the typical April showers! The dry warm weather in March dried the Trail and stopped the normal muddy areas from forming. The rain of the last weeks have created waterlogged areas and mud that makes walking quite difficult. Walkers are now starting to get out onto the Trail in large numbers and this weather shows the pounding that it gets over the walking season.

Gate into Heavenfield - 23/04/2012.

During this walk of my section I met four walkers who were completing the full Trail. The first two I met had started on the Sunday of the London Marathon. They said they had also completed twenty six miles and were feeling the effects of this, on their second day of walking.

Trail looking east - 23/04/2012.

 There was the evidence of the heavy rainfall in many places along my section. In places the Wall ditch and Vallum were waterlogged. There are places that get full of water and remain so throughout the year but there were places that I have never seen been so before. As usual my main task for today was picking up litter, I also cut back the grass and vegetation growing at the base of the gates and stiles.

Flooded Vallum - 23/04/2012.

The new walking season will begin on the 1st May. The Trail on my section will be very wet and muddy in places. I am hoping for some drier weather and sunshine to get the Trail back into a reasonable condition for the walkers. Over the last four months it has been very quiet on the Trail, this will start to change as the new passport season starts.

The AD 122 bus service is in operation again and the walkers and visitors will come to the area. It will be another busy season for all of those people involved with Hadrian's Wall Country.