Hadrian's Wall was built on the orders of the emperor Hadrian, who visited Britain in AD 122. His biographer states that its purpose was to serve as a separation between the Romans and "the barbarians". It was 73 miles long, and crossed east to west across northern England.
We began our tour at Chesters Roman Fort, first checking out the museum and then heading out to tread all over some ancient Roman ruins.
Yes, he is on his cell phone. Sad, I know.
I think all of us loved this area of the fort, and could have stayed here all day. The River Tyne was so relaxing, and was just what we needed after our rough night of camping.
Then it was time for a picnic lunch (one of many to come!) and then we were off to our next site: Housesteads, another fort along the Wall.
Housesteads dates to AD 124, and is one of the best-known of the forts along Hadrian's Wall; over 1,000 troops were garrisoned there. It is perched high on a ridge (that made for one tough climb!), and has the distinction of having one of the best-preserved stone latrines in Roman Britain. Pretty cool, huh?
It was quite a climb up that long path, but we made sure to take a few minutes at the museum at the top; I think Josh looks rather fierce in his Roman soldier outfit!
It was so nice to be out wandering around in the sunshine; who knew we would need sunblock? Scotland is not necessarily known for its sunny weather...
Now it's on to our base for the next few days--Edinburgh!
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