David Chappel

The section between Milecastles 15 and 17 is much more interesting than it first appears. Not only is it the only section of wall that still has a military garrison (Albemarle Barracks: you can’t get in!) but it also crosses the first public clean water supply to Newcastle (Whittle Dean reservoirs, 1845).

The wall itself lies directly under the military road (and in a few local buildings), so its route is clear even if no stones are visible. This section diverts North, away from the Vallum, to place Milecastle 16 on top of Harlow Hill. I was keen to use the excellent views from here, although I never found quite the one I wanted, so put together an imagined one from several different photos. I have used woodcut as it is all I have learned to do so far! I tried to get the effect of carved sandstone by using buff coloured paper and brown (burnt sienna) ink.

I picked out the reservoirs in light blue paper (Chine-collé) to emphasize them, even though it slightly detracts from the ‘stone’ effect.