Once again we checked the weather forecast before deciding where we would go for the day. The weather looked as if it would be marginally better further south so we decided to visit Wallington, another National Trust property. Whilst we were sitting in the car plotting the route and programming the Satnav we heard a tap on the window. We looked up and realised that it was Gavin, one of the Aussies. He had come to say goodbye as they were leaving the Coach House that day. He said that he had very much enjoyed our company and sense of humour and hoped we would meet again. He added that we must look him up if we were in Brisbane so we could get together. He then changed that to, ‘when you visit Australia next year’ 
After this little exchange we set off on our way to Wallington. When we we arrived I suggested that we visit the walled garden whilst the weather was fine. It turned out to be a good option because it started to rain while we were part way round the garden, but not enough to spoil our enjoyment of it. Whilst we were having lunch the rain became rather heavy and set in for the rest of the afternoon. After lunch we went round the house, but decided against exploring the rest of the grounds due to the rain.
We then went on a ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ trying to find a bit of the stone remains of Hadrian’s Wall. This took us along very quiet, narrow lanes and through fenced off fields which meant leaping in and out of the car to open and close the gate. Eventually we found a bit of Hadrian’s Wall and braved the weather to take a photograph or two.
Dinner was much quieter as the Aussies and some other guests had left. We spent the evening chatting to a couple who at one time had worked for the National Trust. It was interesting to hear what happens behind the scenes. After that we decided to retire and have an early night.
The garden looks lovely, shame about the rain.
The garden was wonderful, I will definitely go back when next I am in that area.
Lovely photos of places I have never visited. My attempts on passing Hadrian’s wall have always just revealed just ditches and mounds, but I should persevere with a dedicated trip to a known good area rather than just a quick and hopeful look. I believe I have enjoyed rather rich Traquair Ale, but have never visited the place. Old houses make me feel very sad about our fragile-quickly passing lives and the doomed hopes and dreams of those who lived there, especially the sad French graffiti of prisoners in Edinburgh Castle – it is an annoying personality trait that I need to tackle. The last old stone window ledge I leant on looking out was the very one Mary Queen of Scots looked out each day to offer prayers not long before her neck was severed by the executioner. That didn’t cheer me up. And neither did visiting Strirling’s clearly rutted from use “Beheading Stone”. Historical Happy House might be the place for sensitive me, or just stick to the woodland walks and the golf courses where the tragedies are less permanent. As I followed a slightly inebriated young lady to the toilet at a wedding recently (innocently) i heard her chanting ‘old stuff, old stuff, old stuff’ as she pointed out everything we passed. I think she had a touch of my gloomy gene syndrome, but could not pursue the issue with her as out paths soon diverged to separate rooms, before the young men regained her attention.
I have had many visits along the Hadrian’s Wall are over more than 15 years and like you, all I had seen was ditches and mounds, despite the best efforts of my companions on those journeys.
On this visit it was one of the things I had listed that I wanted to do, rather see!!
I had gone off the idea because it was too difficult, but Mr C was determined to find some wall stones for me. How sweet was that
Old houses provide me a reference, they are living history. They educate me more than books. The history behind the old houses is sad and we humans should learn from the mistakes made… But will we ever??
Enjoying woodland walks and tuning into nature is a sure way to get of ‘gloomy gene syndrome’.
I think the best preserved stone parts may be over near Carlisle
May be wrong about that though, having just looked online and found a list of good places to target next time I pass that way
What has captured your imagination for next time you pass that way?
Not sure exactly but I found a website listing various stone parts and stone fort remains and so forth. Will get more specific when I have (or invent) a reason for travelling south.
He he… You know you can never trust the British weather. ;p
I am usually prepared for all eventuallities
You must have put some miles in on this day as your base, Wallington & the wall are all well spaced out. I managed a photo set of the gardens at the end of last year but unfortunately it wasn’t at its best.
We did do rather a lot of driving that day, but it all worked out in the end