Photos

Driving from my Scottish holiday back to Newcastle to get the ferry back to the Netherlands, I had to cross the impressive Hadrian's wall.

Something like 2000 years ago (in 122 AD, to be more precise) the Roman Emperor Hadrian started what will be an almost unbelievable undertaking: to mark the northernmost boundary of Roman Britain (and probably of the whole Roman Empire) with a fortified wall.

Skirmishing tribes from the North (being "the North" approximately what now is known as Scotland) were kept behind it for over 350 years, writing Hadrian's name indelibly into the history of the UK.

Nowadays, quite some large parts of Hadrian's Wall are still visible, stretching from Wallsend in the East to Bowness-on-Solway in the West.

This incredible work of fortification offers spectacular views and some very interesting examples of Roman construction skills. This particular stretch is located near Cawfield, where also some interesting remains of a walled military settlement can be visited.

It's a pity it had been raining the whole day, but even so it was a very impressive visit.

PP: Levels and contrast adjusted in PS7. Sharpened in NeatImage.