Vindolanda was the site of multiple Roman forts over the 400-year period of Roman occupation in Britain. Situated close to the wall near Hexham, Vindolanda has been under excavation since 1970 and there was still some work being done on parts of it during our visit. The ruins are quite extensive (as shown in the photo) plus there is a very well presented museum. We spent most of our time here in the museum, They have literally thousands of leather shoes, timber and cloth remnants and even hundreds of small thin wooden tablets on which the romans had written letters, inventories etc.
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The fantastic state of preservation is because of the damp peaty soil and the fact that multiple layers of fort construction had buried and entombed one layer on top of the next.
We then headed into Hexham to have a look at Michael's small house at 4 Ethel Terrace - his place is one of 4 in a small row of houses with multiple levels connected by a steep stair case. The floor plan is small but enough for him. This is why we are staying with Barbara in her spacious house in Brampton.
Michael and Barbara then generously took us out for dinner at a local french restaurant (Bouchon). The meal was fantastic. Michael and I had the same dishes; Onion Soup followed by Duck Confit. We washed these down with, first a Chardonnay, and then a Pinot Noir both from the same vineyard (Les Tempiers); very nice indeed. Barbara had Chicken Liver Pate and a fish dish (Hake) while Miriam had a Caramelised Onion and Goat's Cheese Clafouti followed by Rib-Eye Steak with sauce bordelaise and duck fat 'Pont Neuf' chips. I finished with a Creme Brulee while Michael and Miriam shared a cheese board. We ended up very well fed. Barbara then had to drive us the 40 minutes back to her place so she was our sober driver.