If you didn’t make it to the Illumination of Hadrian’s Wall (for instance, because you were attending the AD 410 – Then End of Roman Britain conference at the British Museum) you can (after you’ve read Sean’s and Sam’s tweet updates live from the light up of the Wall) still marvel at the sight of the Illumination by browsing the images that are one by one (processing takes time) posted to Flickr.
Here’s my preliminary Top 10 of Hadrian’s Wall Light Up Flickr Images – in no specific order.
Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall – Cell 22
An awesome shot of the view along the lit up Hadrian’s Wall from Cawfields by HybridUK (Chris Boundey). He writes: “This is the point where the helicopter was flying low and all of the flares where set off. The atmosphere was fantastic! Well done everyone!”
Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall – The Romans
A less contemporary approach than the gas-powered beacons to fire things up for these Roman solders, beautifully captured by Keltic Rose Services. Definitely check out the overview shot as well, showing the lit wall in the distance. Shot at Bowness. Fi captured the same scene, a bit more grim-looking, which makes me question if those Roman will manage to fire their arrows all the way up to the wall. But well, maybe shooting down possibly returning tourists isn’t the intention of the event. If I’m not mistaken, the soldiers in the scene are part of the Legio VIII.
Hadrian’s Wall – Beacon
When looking at this shot by Mickyboyc, it is not hard to imagine how it would be like to spend a cold, dark night along the wall, with nothing to keep you warm but the beacons. A splendid capture!
The Writing on (Hadrian’s) Wall
For those who were still in doubt if this was actually Hadrian’s Wall, Paul Alsop decided to clear things up. ‘Writing with light’ is almost always astonishing, but the combination of the beacons in the background with this non-invasive (but very original) tagging of the Roman Wall, definitely deserves a listing in my Top 10.
Hadrian’s Wall from Once Brewed
“Let’s not even bother,” must have been the reaction of possible invaders when faced with a sight such as here in Nige_B’s photograph. It’s a bit to steep to get over, and a bit to long to go around. A great capture of the ‘magnitude’ of Hadrian’s Wall. (I’m just glad I’m on the right side of the Wall! ;)) Kenrum obviously visited the same spot.
Re-enactments at Housesteads Roman Fort
Jinn’n Tonic captured a fraternization that looks a bit dodgy – from a historical perspective. Can someone identify the warrior on the right, and tell me why the Roman should not throw him off the wall?
The ‘Line of Light’ in Northumberland
I’ve always imagined the area around Hadrian’s Wall to be barren, and definitely not a nice area to live. (It must have been that way in the time of Roman Britian, when those areas did not have villas with floor-heating?) This photograph by CaldbeckBlue forces me to change my mind. I might not want to live there (still, to cold), but the eare near the Brocolitia Roman Fort would definitely do for a one-week holiday! Great shot from the northerly part of the wall in Northumberland. If you click the photograph above, and then on the Flickr page click ‘all sizes’, study the beacons still visible along the horizon. Wow!
Looking West in Northumberland
You wouldn’t say on first look, but this is actually (almost) the exact same shot as the one above, taken by the same photographer. With this one I imagine – quite wrongly, I know – smoke rising from fired cannons and muskets. Despite my misconceptions about the era, still a great photograph! 😉
Illuminating Hadrian’s Wall North of Hexham
This photograph by jjp9000 shows clearly what a success the event was, with people as well as cars lining up to attend. 😉 The semi-steep climb through the fields, near a road with lots of cars in the distance reminds me of our walk to Stonehenge’s Summer Solstice. No beacons for us there, though. 🙁
View from the Wall
My final selection is – another – photograph of MickyboyC (he has some more splendid ones, check out the set here). I would love to make a motivational poster out of it: “Ann, next time they light up Hadrian’s Wall, attend!’ 😉
These photographs (and Nicole’s three ‘phone snaps’) definitely make me look forward to our Ancient World in London video that will focus on Hadrian’s Wall (a bit far off? tons of good arguments as to why to include this event)! I’m terribly curious what footage Sam, Sean and Nicole brought home from their trip.
(I did a quick ‘camera make’ count on my Top 10: 6 Canon images, 2 Nikon images and two of uknown errr… provenance. Which obviously proves that Canon still rules the English photography landscape! Despite what my colleagues at Heritage Key might say. ;))
