We are trying to write our own History of Britain [okĀ mostly England] journals as our homeed project with FrB whilst she is here. It will be a lovely thing to take back to France with her, and will be personalised education of her time here. We take extracts from a variety of history books, read some relevant stories, watch some relevant DVD’s and then visit places associated with that time. I buy a postcard and they get to stick it in the journal too. I had planned to do arts/crafts and cooking of the time, but haven’t quite managed to have that much time! For the Roman period, I would very much like to visit the roman baths at bath – done, hadrians wall [now done] , fishbourne palace – might not get to, verulamium museum in st albans – definitely on the list. I think these are significant romans-in-britain icons to visit. We might catch other places, but TBH, there are fab roman places in france too…
SO, Hadrians wall had us driving straight after the Kentwell open day as North as we could get – Durham-ish – to stay in a travelodge. Again I ended up with the 3 girls whilst DH had his own room. BB and FrB fell asleep in the car so were a bit waily tired, easier just to stay in room to get them all asleep! A big breakfast and we were on the road. I love going North, I love Northumberland. The weather was beautiful, the views lovely, and when we cut west from Newcastle, we followed Hadrians wall along until we got to housesteads. I have visited Vindolanda with the girls and deependers before, and think I prob preferred it, but housesteads was really worthwhile visiting. a bit of a down and up before you get there, and then a bijou museum to look around. We read, looked and watched their video. I think they took a lot of inspiration from Game of Thrones because there was a lot of snow falling on the wall, and moody music .
We then had a great time investigating and exploring the fort, the hypocausts always a hit, the moody imagining looking out from the wall daring those wildlings to attack… BB loved visiting the most in shape roman loos in britain [and that is what is on her postcard!] , and we did some good self timers.
Finally we ended up geocaching on the wall, but BB hurt herself, so we went back to the museum for icecream . eventually we were all on our way to Budle bay and the next segment of our holiday.