Vindolanda

I must confess I did wonder what I was letting myself in for volunteering to lead a walk during the festival. Risk assessment forms, contingency plans, an up-to-date First Aid Certificate, pre-walking the route, all of which I knew were necessary, but they did cause me a few sleepless nights beforehand!

The day finally arrived and so did all the walkers at Vindolanda car park. In perfect weather conditions we walked up to Crindledykes Lime Kiln, then on to the signaling station on Barcombe Hill and the Long Stone where we stopped to admire the wonderful view over Vindolanda and Hadrian's Wall whilst enjoying a coffee break. An RAF Hercules on a training exercise performed some overhead manoeuvres to entertain us as well. Then we headed down Thorngrafton Common to Bardon Mill where we had our lunch break - some of us at the picnic tables on the green, and the rest at the Bowes. There was time to browse around the pottery before crossing over the A69 to hike up to Brockalee and Parkside, then up the west side of the Chainley Burn and back to the Vindolanda car park.

For me the highlight of the day,and I think for the other walkers,was Justin Blake's talk at the dig site. His enthusiasm about his work as senior archaeologist at Vindolanda, and the tales about what has been found, brought to life what it must have been like living there in Roman times. And, just as we were about to say thank you and farewell, one of the volunteers, with a huge beam on his face, presented to Justin a tiny gold-leaf bead he had just uncovered.

The perfect ending to a perfect day - and I need not have worried!! I didn't lose my way or, even worse lose a walker, and I didn't have to write anything in the " Incidents" section of the walking log!

Christy Henderson

(first time Festival walk leader)

Click here to see photos from the walk

Vindolanda walk and visit - Tuesday April 27th, 2010

The walk leader’s account