THE WALL ON PEEL CRAG
Investigations on Peel Crag and Winshields have gone to show that, in Severus's reconstruction of the Wall, most of the turrets in this neighbourhood were not restored, but, on the contrary, the insets where they had been recessed into the Wall have been filled up level with the face.
Ten years ago the positions of only five or six turrets were known along the Wall. Since then, over thirty have been found and six excavated. This leaves many which are still awaiting their turn to be opened.
Peel Crag ends abruptly, and the Wall, after bending southward, as usual at every gap, strikes steeply down into the gap, as is shown very clearly in the picture facing [page 142]. The advancing enemy would be subject to a flank attack from the Roman defenders hidden in the safe shelter of the Wall.
The Wall then turns slightly northward, in order to gain the top of Winshields. It is in excellent condition on the low ground to the north of this gap, about 6 feet wide and nine courses high, and makes a good "road" to walk upon. The Wallditch recurs here, as always, whenever the Wall leaves the heights, if only for a few yards.
The road which runs north and south through the gap will take us down to "Twice Brewed," the Inn on Wade's Road, if we are wanting tea. I never found "Twice Brewed" very anxious to give me tea; I fancy they thought it a lot of trouble for one. There is "only one pair of hands to do everything," so they said. I asked if I could stay there for a week while I was painting, but there were many good reasons why I could not. First, it was the food; so difficult to get. I said I could live on bread and butter and eggs—"and bacon," I added, looking at the "backs" and the "streaky" hanging from the ceiling behind her.
"But we want all that for oorselves."
"Well, bread and butter and eggs will do."