Victoria Tunnel, Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne

Just imagine! Not only have I walked along part of Hadrian's Wall, today I walked under it! Oh yes, the Victoria Tunnel runs under the line of the Wall. I must admit when I was at the mouth of the tunnel donning my hard hat and grabbing a torch that worked it did cross my mind that this was not a good idea. What if I get halfway along and can't cope? However, I was with a friend so pride demanded that I go ahead with it. In the event it was OK, and the guides said from the outset they would be happy to take back anyone who didn't feel comfortable. We walked down the slope and into the tunnel. The guides took us through the tunnel's wartime history and the story of how it was originally built. How scary it must have been to crowd down there after the air raid siren had sounded and not know quite what was going on above you. If you are of average height you can stand comfortably in the tunnel and although the ground is wet in places I never found it slippery. The final slope up (and down on the way back) was very steep though. What did we see? A Roman spring Clay pipes embedded in the wall Wartime blast walls A wartime toilet bucket A signalling system used to let the pit at Spital Tongues know when a waggon was readey to go on its way back up the tunnel. Patches of paint(?) which would change colour in the event of a gaa attack No doubt I've missed out loads. This is a unique walk. As we strolled back to Ouseburn Farm it was amazing to think that minues before we had been strolling right underneath. And under Hadrian's Wall too - I'm going to remember that.

Prayer walking

Here's one I wasn't sure I would ever write about - prayer walking. Something I didn't envisage being involved with again, but when I'e been curious to see how the little mission church I know went about these things and as I had a spare Saturday I decided to join in. And then worried about how I would feel if we clustered on street corners to pray aloud. In the event, I was late on the day and hurried round the corner to see one of our number walking slowly along the street alone and not looking at all out of place. So, it was silent prayer, I could manage that. After a quick discussion about where I should go, I began zigzagging along the streets. At the end of each 'zig' I was rewarded with a glorious view of the mouth of the Tyne. And each 'zag; took me along another row of fine brick built houses. By now I was in my stride. The rhythmn of the Jesus prayer (Lord have mercy) was in my feet and my intention was carried with them. This left my mind free to take in and appreciate the well-tended flowers, the new curtains, sparkling brass, garden ornaments, children's toys. The men working to repair roofs and to repaint while the weather held. The people talking on the front step. The whole multicultural feel to the area, the ancient history on our doorstep. No wonder the north east is known as God's Own Country. Did it make a difference? Reasearch has shown that transcendental meditation can make a difference to the crime rate in an area. Buddhists 'earth walk' to connect with the natural world. Maybe if we all just walked for walking's sake and appreciated what and who is around us things might just be that little bit better.

Enforced walking

I've done a bit more walking than usual lately because I've damaged my elbow and been unable to drive. It's taught me over again that a lot of things we feel we have to do by car can be done on foot. Example: I wanted to visit Whitburn Windmill at Heritage Open Days so I had to make an afternoon of it, approximately an hour's walk each way but perfectly do-able. Ok it helps that I'm not working either, so I have a bit more time to spend walking to the shops etc etc but in the great scheme of things I could walk more in my daily life. Other life lessons? 1) Thank goodness Asda delivers cat food - I can walk for miles but can't carry! 2) I stopped driving when I needed two hands to get the car into first and to put on the handbrake. It seems that not everyone else did. Be careful who you accept lifts from! On a medical note: elbow improving, so the walking idyll will end soon.