Pirton, Hexton, Barton le Clay, Sharpenhoe, Streatley, Telegraph Hill
Our final walk before Sam's walk along Hadrian's Wall. The plan is to do 17 miles today and we set off on a very windy and actually quite cool day. The first five miles are gone in a blink as we talk about 'The Third Man' or the prince of darkness and the audacity of the man. Easy to dislike but you have to respect him for the impact he has had on Labour and the political scene over recent years. You don't like him but grudgingly respect what he has been able to do and the way he has survived. Agreed you would not want him as a friend and now will watch the replies. Blair we expect to be a smooth rose coloured own view of history with him at the centre. The most interesting will be Brown if he can find a way of telling his tale. Fascinating stuff.
As we approach the outskirts of Hexton we need to go through a cutting in a hedge. Rob leans down to go through when all of a sudden what seems like a pack of rabid barking teeth nashing dogs appear from nowhere. I would like to think that Rob did a great job of protecting me from what might come but I think actually his arms were just waving in blind panic. As our hearts settle we see we are confronted by two muzzled labradors, one black and one golden. Their owner follows behind saying don't worry they won't do you any harm. Rob breathing fast and checking he has not had a heart attack and rubbing his thigh from a pulled muscle thinks differently.
Through Hexton and in to Barton le Clay for a tea and bad boy cake for Rob at Scoffers. Beside us local lads eating the biggest breakfast you ever did see. All that was missing was a copy of the Sun and an update on Ashley Cole's love life. A little talk about football where Rob predicts Man City will win the league and he is coming to terms with Liverpool in the qualifying rounds for the Europa League.
Up a short steep hill which now seems easy versus our Offa's Dyke experiences and we get to the top of Sharpenhoe Clappers. We get lost a couple of times and go in circles but the views are stunning and it is lovely walking.Along the way we are pleased to meet George and Elisabeth French and Jack and Anita Blackit (apparently up north a name meaning sheep stealer!). They can help us with directions as they know where they are and we are not sure.
Rob meets their dog Boot and is soon serving up stick throws and becomes a life long friend. They know Hadrian's Wall well having had a caravan called Halt Whistle near to the wall. They increase our enthusiasm for the walk starting Tuesday and their main advice is take waterproofs. We have been warned.
We come upon a marquee set up for a wedding at Holtwood Farm tomorrow night. There will be a pig roast as the main event. Looks like a great event surrounded by wheat fields and in the middle of nowhere. We asked them to keep the noise down.
As we hit the final stretch we realise we are going to walk more miles than planned. We get tired and notice we are both quieter. In the end we have completed over 20 miles making this our longest walk so far.
Easier than the hilly walks but at the end you do notice the distance we covered and the legs and feet do ache. Ready for Hadrian now. Rob the Greekling is ready to march on Hadrian and his mate Len will be watching out for savage dogs appearing from surprising places.
Tell your friends about Sam's walk and follow us from Newcastle on Tuesday morning.
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