Hadrian’s Wall Day 6 Heddon-on-the-Wall to Wallsend

I woke up prepared for Greg to say he was done with the walk. Instead he was determined to finish. "I want to walk as far as I can." I didn't marry a quitter!

Last night it rained all night, and stopped as we packed up to leave. It was a pretty darn exciting day for us - the last day of our walk!

Excited for the start of our last day along Hadrian's Wall path!

Today the path signs change from Hadrian's Wall Path to Hadrian's Way. It avoids the actual line of Hadrian's Wall through the urban areas of Newcastle and instead runs along the river. It is so easy to follow that you can walk it on autopilot; I never even pulled out my map.

At least the first few miles make for a nice walk alongside greenery and the river

Today we are walking Hadrian's "Way"

In Lemington, near the glass cone factory that you can see from the trail, is a ramp taking you straight down to Lidl market. It was quite convenient to stop for a sports drink. And a toilet.

The path today was nothing inspirational to see but we are driven by the thrill of finishing. It is actually a really nice walk that you would enjoy on any given day, like a Saturday morning out with the pup.

Entering Newcastle along its quayside 

We had a quick change of plans for lunch. Our host recommended the picnic tables past Newcastle at the Tyne Bar.

The Tyne Bar is a local favorite

My happy place: In another country, enjoying a picnic of fresh bread, cheese, cold cuts, and beer

The last 2 1/2 miles, walking through the outskirts of Newcastle, the overgrown path covered in graffiti was sketchy at best.

The last couple of miles of the walk is through a rough part of town

Then, all of a sudden and 16.22 miles later, we were done. We had reached Segedunum Fort - officially the end. Right before it on the trail, I almost walked by the signpost, which isn't marked on the book's map. I have to admit it felt like a letdown to be done. No fanfare. No one around to take our picture. No friends who walked it with us to celebrate. (Though we did talk to a familiar walker when we got off the metro back in Newcastle, which was a bit of consolation.) It's over. At least if we hiked the trail in the other direction we could've all met up at the one pub in town to celebrate our achievement!

The signpost marking the end of our 84-mile (plus) journey at Segedunum Fort in Wallsend

The heavens opened with a vengeance just as we finished - the great finale of uncanny timing the rain had on our walk, always seeming to come at the most convenient time for us.

Did we enjoy it? Yes. The road running alongside so much of the trail was a constant reminder how quick and easy it would be to drive it instead - which isn't appealing to me at all. Walking it you see more and feel more and you get to enjoy its rewarding accomplishment!  It was tranquil and remote - completely away from hordes of people.  It is just cool to walk. As an alternative what I would recommend if you don't have 6 days and 7 nights is to spend 2-3 nights using Twice Brewed Inn as your home base and bus AD 122 as your shuttle. One day walk east, the other day you walk west. That way you'll get a good taste and see the best of what the trail has to offer!

As a reward, tonight we went around the corner from our hotel to the Newcastle Theater to see The Book of Mormon - a first time for us. It was hilariously fun!

Newcastle Theater - finally seeing the Book of Mormon!

Now I'm ready for some sunshine and good ol' vitamin D - and to be done with the rain clouds hovering over us and threatening us all day. But I don't think the weather is going to get any better this next week - as we explore Scotland.