Erasing the Desire Lines

It is important not to walk single file instead fan out, walk side by side. Displace the burden of your weight. There may be gods under the grass. Or chisels and pots. We must not disturb them.

David McGlade designed and now is tasked with managing the path that moves along Hadrian’s Wall and protecting the archeology that is beneath it. He looks for desire lines, worn paths and then works to erase them. He observes any natural barrier that constricts movement by narrowing the path such as gorse bushes and accumulated stones. Along with the ranger and the volunteers he makes free a wider path to protects what is below. It is endless, invisible work. Through his diligence and tireless effort, when he retires there will be no mark of him ever being there.