Monday was a rest day for the legion – so naturally the company went walking! A reconnaissance mission around Chollerford discovered the following:-

1 the bridge has fantastic views of the trees mirrored in the water of the Tyne (that were not visible the next day due to higher winds).

2 The town has the most beautiful range of trees and the autumn leaves are an inspiration

Another reccy to Chester’s Fort was very valuable for the legion to see how a fort was set up as there were visible evidence of the barracks, the bath house and the other buildings in the compound. Further evidence came from the comprehensive collection of artifacts accumulated by Mr Clayton (the archaeologist you have when you’re not having an archaeologist).

Petermus Maximus thought that more of the fort should be visible and that it should be built up again as it was during dear emperor Hadrian’s times. The English Heritage lady explained that it was their policy to leave things for future generations. A debate ensued which ended with Petermus casting aspersions on the quality of their tearoom’s carrot cake and the company was forced to make a retreat.

The next day orders came through that the legion was to advance another ten miles east to East Wallhouses and the Robin Hood pub where a chariot would be waiting to transport us to camp.

Sunny skies saw the company move on. After leaving the small town we marched through a wooded area widely believed to be the source of fairy tales of wizards and tree spirits…

After successfully navigating any sorcery the company was charged to climb St Oswald’s hill

It was quite a steep climb but the company was now used to much steeper gradients and they were quite soon at the top to see the beautiful church …

And of course the famous St Oswald’s tearoom run by the same lady for the past 18 years and soon to close forever. Naturally we were honour-bound to partake of the chocolate cake and date-and-walnut-scones on offer. Best not to show you those, better you should see the lavender in the garden…

Did I mention it was a beautiful day? And oh the sights we saw – as we walked hills, field paths and farms…

The camp that night was in the picturesque village of Wylam…

home of many a steam train pioneer, including the late, great George Stephenson.

Today there was a westerly wind blowing which helped the legion progress and it was reported that the only sunshine in Britannia this day would be found right here.

And so it was – but not until late morning. The path was more level than previously but also muddier …

The mud did slow the legion down and, on more than one occasion centurions became bogged. Petermus Maximus had to assist one of his fellow travellers out of a very sticky situation when she fell foul of the gravitational forces of the path. Since the importation of a large crane was not feasible, brute force was required. As both centurions were laughing hard this was made more difficult.

As the legion progressed eastwards the wind dropped and the path followed the road, thereby underlining the fact that each step brought them closer to the urban environment. Still though there were signs of the country – abandoned farm buildings …

Strange and unusual wildlife…

Wooded paths filled with dappled sunlight and softly falling leaves…

Bucolic scenes of great beauty….

And friendly natives – these little fellows were extremely tame and came up to us for a pat…

All too soon though the countryside disappeared and we were on the edge of Tynemouth, although there were still some aspects of the countryside…

So we are almost at the end of this campaign. Tomorrow we march on Newcastle. Until the next despatch…

Kaye