I am waiting for some favourable weather before going on photo recce to the more photogenic parts of the wall. I am presently re-reading Sawley's "Oxford History of Roman Britain", and this gives a good broad brush picture of the military and political activities leading to the construction/modification of the wall. The book strongly conveys the idea that one can consider the areas to the south of the wall being offered "shelter" by the wall to prevent unwholesome combinations of tribes ( internally within the Brigantes I wish to emphasise , though not excluding others as the Brigantes seemed to be present almost into Caledonii territory) , whilst "natural" romanisation progressed healthily.The whole tone of this scholarly work leaves no doubt that although Britain was a fabulous wild frontier it had , by trade ( and by the Roman destruction of the Venetii) inoxerably drawn itself into the outer framework of the Empire even if the very consumers of those goods opposed Rome.An interesting side issue is the consturction of fortifications and the concentration of personnel for a possible Hibernian campaign.

Glannaventa (Ravenglass) of which you may find photos in my "historical sites" gallery is strictly the western end of the fortifications considerd as a functioning entity.Lugovallium (Carlisle) is the modern western signifier of the built wall , (and was the key site for senior military presence on the wall).A chain of defences and forts connected these two localities.

The advance to the Antonine Wall is a very subtle and interesting change, indeed this activity displays the shrewd nature of the eponymous Emperor.That occupation of the two walls (and the Gask Ridge) ebbed and flowed thereafter seems more related to the fortunes of the Empire and the position of the incumbent Emperor.This is not to denigrate any of Hadrian's work, though we see how "experimental" the layout work was in its earlier forms .

The Vindolanda tablets , which I am also reading, are truly fascinating as they give an idea of the extreme normality of daily garrison life and logistical activity, a direct insight into the excellent communication skills of the time and the quality of produce consumed by ordinary rankers.

Guy de la Bedoyere's "History and Guide " is the other useful book to read, this is in essence where to walk and what you will see on the way.

Bedoyere makes the very telling point that the Wall was a forgotten entity until the mid 1840s -a millenium and a half of anonimity-just imagine if our cities, works and roads dissapear under such a fog of unknowing-though such is the fate of man.

I might try a brief trip to Carlisle and put up some shots of the Castle and associated earlier items soon.

Sawley by the way very scholarly but a little dry, you can hear the thoughts of a learned man processing carefully to the page.

My Roman Frontier Map in the Gallery refers.(Miscellenia album). This has some additional notes.