Hadrian's Wall Path - Day 4 - 12 miles

Weird donkey and alpaca petting zoo (?) right next to our campsite. Why? I have no idea. Maybe the idea of a giraffe was too weird. 

After a spectacular stay at easily the best campsite we've yet to pitch a tent in, we headed back onto the Path to spend the remainder of the day in Northumberland National Park. Today was much like yesterday, with stunning views to both North and South, walking along the crags ever Westward. 

Gazing out into the distance. Always wondering. Wondering where did my mars bar go...

It seems that Day 4 is the day. The day when I have completely left home behind and truly reached travel zen. It's a liberating feeling, this journeyman's nirvana, a feeling of total separation and disentanglement from the trappings of modern life, best achieved by consecutive days spent with your life in a pack. 

Enjoying the last few shreds of shade before climbing up mountain number 2 for the day. Why are there no nice pine straw laden trails while climbing up mountains? Hah. 

My wee little tan line. If you know me, you know I don't tan so this is like...a first! Also in the background you can see the destroyed curry chicken and stella. Exactly what you need after a long day's hike. 

You couldn't ask for a more surreal way to enter that phase of travel than to be marching along the wall, high in the crags, the world spreading out before you in all directions like ripples in a sea of young green wheat grass.

More and more rocky crags. On the other side of me were rock climbers going straight up the rock face. I held my breath while they jumped (!) and one finger climbed their way up the crag. 

It is here I come to the same realization I've come to many times before: to be a good traveler you must not only be able to leave home behind; you must be able to find it anywhere, everywhere.  

Happy trails.