Drove to Golf, Car Park 2, had to have a pass which you get with tickets, can't buy one there. Car Park 3 ok but large field....one motorhome and lots of cars, we tried twice but grass very boggy and we just skidded and turned the grass to a big muddy hole. So that was out.
Plan B cultural day of Roman Town and Hadrians Wall. Drove to Corbridge Roman Town, but it was closed for renovations. We got information and map to other sites.
Decided on Housesteads Fort, so glad we did, it was fantastic, we arrived in time for 2pm tour, the guide was excellent he had an amazing memory and good amount of humour to make it very informative and put the flesh on the bones of the ruins and almost made it come to life. He said close your eyes and imagine.......he described the noise, hustle and bustle the smells and activities. The pub with beer brewing, the bakery, soldiers quarters, sauna, steam room and hot and cold baths. Toilets, complete with description of close encounters with a 'wiping brush' that was shared and kept in a tub of vinegar solution, to kill any germs.....eekkkkk. The General had his own house with servants and underfloor Heating! incredible technology they got mostly from the Greeks, and when the Romans left all their knowledge was forgotten and England went backwards for hundreds of years.
Sycamore Gap Hadrians Wall 
The fort was re-used over the centuries and in the 1700s extra buildings were added for corn drying as there was a mini ice age and down in London the Thames froze over and people would ice skate on it....so our weather patterns are certainly not new.
For £6.50 each it was well worth it for the 2 hours.
We had climbed up about half a mile to the fort, and the full description of the many buildings. After the tour he recommended we walk another little way and along the only part of Hadrians Wall allowed to be used to the Mile Fort 37, about another half a mile.
So we did, quite steep in parts as it climbed and meandered over the hillside. The wall had nothing to do with deviding England and Scotland as back then there was no Scotland, they think it was to protect the minerals around there and to collect taxes from people selling their wares into the fort. Most of the soldiers were Belgium but could come from all over the Roman Empire.
They had a Bank, savings and pensions funds and when soldiers left they got no more income, so they saved it for when their 25 year service was up. Fascinating.
After the walk we went into the museum to watch a little film and we got an ice cream then back to car park.... £5... which we thought was a bit steep, but hey overall it was excellent and the weather was perfect...the guide said it was the best day all year..,it was even quite Warm! He said it often is blowing a gale and usually very cold up at the fort, so we got it right to come today.
Drove back to free woodland park and Stocksfield, rang NE Caravans the fridge panel was flashing again No 6 this time which was not working on 12v which is when we are driving, and as you are not supposed to drive with gas on....this could be a problem.
Spoke to Ian, Malcolm had the day off to go to the Golf. He said bring it back and they will have a look tomorrow late morning. Ian said it won't be the Thermaster that just controls the temperature.
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