Date: Saturday, 1 August 2026
Day: 8
From: Easton To: Bowness-on-Solway
Start Walking: 636am End Walking: 830am Walking Time: 1h48m
Distance (Planned): 7.1km Distance (Garmin): 8.6km
Ascent: 21m Descent: 16m
Progress: 142.7/138km
Weather: Cool with patchy cloud.
Stayed At: Howard Lodge, Carlisle
General Comments:
• I am done! I was so excited to knock over these last few kilometres that I hardly slept last night. Seeing I was awake far too early, it made sense to get up and get going.
• There isn’t anything too startling to report about the trail as it was the usual farm back roads and edge of road walking.
• All that improved dramatically once I hit the coast path and was dazzled by the early morning light over the Solway Firth.
• Even Scotland, across the water, was bathed in beautiful light. Unlike yesterday when it was raining over there and yet we were bone dry.
• It felt good to walk into Bowness-on-Solway knowing I had reached the end of the line, if not the end of the Wall. Apparently there was a Roman fort here too, but any sign of it is long gone.
• It has been a fascinating walk and I have loved all the history as well as the gorgeous views. A walk that I highly recommend and will remember for a long time.
Thanks to everyone for your interest and support over the past month. I’ve really appreciated all your likes, comments and generally following yet another of my nutty adventures.
Thanks to my English friends for organising such amazing weather and allowing me to wander around your fair isle. I feel I have a much better understanding of your country although I still haven’t got my tastebuds around your warm beer!🤣
Time for me to head back Down Under to the dark and cold of our Winter. That will be a bit of a shock.
Take care, everyone. And happy walking to you.
Life...one big adventure 
What an excellent blog, thank you for making the time effort to share it with us all, safe and pleasant onwards travels 👌👋
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Brian. It’s been a blast!🎉
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Such a shame you couldn’t stay longer and explore more of the UK whilst the days are long and the sun is shining. It has been lovely to accompany you on both you walks / treks / hikes I hope you didn’t mind the extra weight on your shoulder. Where to next I wonder… is there anywhere else in the world with paths left for you to walk? Of course you could do the South West Coast Path (630 miles of stunning scenery) and pop in to see me. I will happily oblige with a cream tea and a bed.
Safe journey homeward bound.
Jude xx
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Thanks, Jude. Yes, it would be lovely to stay seeing you are having such a fabulous Summer, but I had better go home and be responsible for a change!😅 And Yes, hopefully our paths will cross one day and I will have an opportunity to take you up on your kind offer. The South West Coast Path is definitely on my radar, but first I have a few Aussie trails to complete. Thanks for being part of my UK strolls. I appreciate your support and input. You are a plant whizz!🌻🌷🌿🌷
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What a perfect way to finish, Mel! That final coastal light over the Solway Firth is the kind of memory that stays forever, clear, golden, earned through your own two feet. I’ve loved following this journey with you, and what strikes me most is not just the magnificent walking and the history, but the friendships that formed along the way (Jude’s offer of cream tea is the beautiful human touch this adventure needed). You went to walk Hadrian’s Wall and you found community. Safe travels back Down Under, and thank you for letting us walk this with you. 🥾✨
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And all the lovely comments I have received on my posts have made it extra special too. I will head home with a full and happy heart. Thank you.💕
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Oh my, you almost finished the day’s hike before breakfast! But you had such lovely early morning colours. That’s it – a month? I can’t believe you’re done (I was barely warming up for your hike here on my couch 😁). Well done, another one to tick off on your crazy hiking list! And don’t worry … it looks like our winter down here in the Southern Hemisphere is starting to lose its cold and dark grip! Safe travels back home.
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It does seem to’ve gone fast, Mel. I think you promised us some Edinburgh too? (no satisfying some people, is there?) I enjoyed seeing old haunts and some bits I hadn’t seen. Thanks very much for trailing us along with you. Have a wonderful rest of the year xx
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Congratulations on another crossing and safe travels home! I’ve enjoyed following and seeing places I love through your eyes.
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