I’d taken myself off to Housesteads Fort.

His name is Dan, I think he was French and he’s studying Architecture at Northumbria University.

It makes me appreciate just what a tremendous achievement this mighty Wall and all it’s milecastles, forts and turrets along the 84miles, was.

The jury is out on the views from Housesteads, depends on where they let people stand, see what you think.

 I’ve been looking through Google Analytics at the search questions that have brought people to my blog and thought I’d do a quick entry that covers some of those questions.

On the 13th of March 2010 Hadrian’s Wall will be lit by gas beacons, a once in a lifetime event that will never be repeated.
From Wallsend on the east coast to Bowness on the West, approximately 500 beacons spaced every 250metres will cover the 84 miles of the Hadrian’s Wall.
The first beacon will be lit at Wallsend at approx 5.35pm and lighting will progress in sequence east to west with a six second delay between each beacon firing up so, 50 minutes later the last beacon will be lit.
Beacons when lit will be about 10ft high.
They will burn for approximately 75 minutes. 
There is a plan to extinguish all of the lights at the same time to mark the anniversary of the end of Roman Occupation in 410AD

You can apply to be one of the team who light the beacons and will receive a certificate to say you were an ‘Illuminator’, to date there have been 1500 applications, Sign up here.

Audience  participation events are planned in Wallsend/Newcastle and in Carlisle Celebrations in Carlisle
Organizers are hoping the main visitor focus will be at these two events.
(But when you think about Hadrian’s wall Newcastle or Carlisle don’t immediately spring to mind do they?)

A lot of the Hadrian’s Wall Path is relatively flat and, in the dark, not terribly interesting but it’s not hard to see that the high crags part of Hadrian’s Wall from Sewingshields to Birdoswald is going to look spectacular.

On Hadrian’s Wall itself there will be three main viewing areas at Steel Rigg (NY750676) (NE47 7AN)

You must apply for a ticket to park at these points. Apply here for free tickets organizers anticipate 500-800 people at each viewing point.
Disability parking will be available at Brocolitia (not exactly an exciting view point!)

It is possible that all other car parks on Hadrian’s Wall will be locked and laybys will be cordoned off. (They cite health and safety reasons)
The roads are very, very narrow and the grass verges are boggy with hidden ditches so parking is going to be a problem if you haven’t got a ticket for the official parking sites.
Park and Ride may be available depending on demand.

The highest point on Hadrian’s Wall is Winshields Crag and that can be accessed from Steel Rigg, there is normally a parking fee but on the 13th tickets will be free.

There is no additional entertainment planned for any of the viewing areas at this point in time, for me it will be enough to be able to say ‘I was there when Hadrian’s Wall was illuminated’, but maybe you should think of taking a flask of coffee and extra warm clothing as there’ll be a lot of standing around.
At Steel Rigg you’re near to the Twice Brewed pub and there are toilets in the Once Brewed Visitor Centre. Housesteads has toilets and the cafe/toilets at Birdoswald may be open during the event.

Take a torch, the ground is uneven and the rocks are slippery.
Remember you are walking on farm land and as it’s lambing time, keep dogs on a lead and do close gates, please respect the countryside don’t leave litter.

Hadrian’s Wall itself is an ancient monument – don’t climb up on it for a better view.

Photographers – my website has a grid reference on each of the photographs that should show you, on the centre of the relevant multimap, where I was standing when I took the shot. Please plan well in advance how you are going to get to your chosen spot.
If I learn anything more I will blog it here for you.

Vindolanda will be open that weekend and in my opinion it’s the most interesting site on Hadrian’s Wall and well worth a visit.
NB The Vindolanda Museum is currently being upgraded and won’t be open to visitors.

For accomodation in this area try here. B and B’s are already filling up so don’t dither.

There are plans afoot to light up the length of Hadrian’s Wall on the 13th of March 2010, a spectacular sight that I doubt will ever be repeated.
http://www.illuminatinghadrianswall.com/site/
You can vounteer to be one of the illuminators, lighting the gas powered beacons,  and will get a certificate to say you took part.

I’d love to do that but I’ll be out there with my camera hoping to get a good shot of the lights crawling across the undulating landscape of the high crags, no doubt rushing backwards and forwards in my usual way.

I’ve heard from my friends at Willowford Farm that bookings for the weekend of March the 13th are brisk so if you’re thinking about coming up (or down) for the event please be quick.

It will also be wise to do a recce of the site beforehand.
The Military Road is very narrow, by modern day standards, with marshy verges so  you really can’t just pull over to watch the event.
Car parks along the Wall will be busy and you will need to allow time for climbing up and down to viewpoints.

The lake is big and birds know to stay away from the hides but with a good pair of binoculars you can see plenty.

Once again we were drawn to the beach, I love the sea air and it's the only thing I miss about living on Tyneside. Sandling were dashing along the incoming waves, as it was such a grey day I'd only brought a small camera with me and they were moving to fast for me to get a good shot of them.

northumberland coast birdwatching will give you more ideas on what's available on our beautiful coastline.

Now I know this is supposed to be a Hadrian's Wall blog but our journey today took us just over an hour from Gilsland and if you're coming to Northumberland for a holiday then  you might fancy a day off from walking on our Hadrian's Wall Trail.
Northumberland and all our treasures, is Englands best kept secret:)

Catch you later.
Joan

A new stamping station at Housesteads Fort has been added to the Summer Passport. Between 1st May and 31st October this year walkers can collect SEVEN stamps along the National Trail to qualify for the official completion badge & certificate.

Did you know that 2010 marks the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman Britain in AD410 – one of the greatest turning points in our history. So as well as celebrating a truly iconic piece of world heritage the line of light will help to mark this hugely significant anniversary. To find out more about [...]

Sorry to neglect you, I got very frustrated not being able to get out of Gilsland while we had the snow.
A Ford Focus does not do well on ungritted, hilly roads.
Then when things did improve I was otherwise engaged on a bird photography course at Caerlaverock. I wasn't very good at bird photography, they move about a lot more than a landscape does, but I enjoyed it.
I'm just going to post you some pictures of snowy Gilsland with a couple of Caerlaverock shots and hopefully I'll be back to normal shortly.
Catch you later.

Having launched our search for volunteers this week, we are absolutely delighted at the response. Clearly this event has captured your imagination. We’ve read some wonderful stories from you telling us why you want to be involved. Keep them coming, it’s fantastic to see this support.

Plans have been unveiled to create a spectacular line of light from coast to coast, along the length of Hadrian’s Wall. This once in a lifetime event will take place on Saturday 13th March 2010 and will follow the route of the 84 mile long Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail. There will be around 500 individual points [...]

Illuminating Hadrian's Wall - A Line of Light from Coast to Coast - Saturday 13th March 2010 ... dusk. Hundreds of people will have the chance to take part in this spectacular event.