March to the lowlands

So we left you with jam less scones and re-conditioned mother (she wishes!)

The catalogue of mini disasters expanded when; dad got up out of his chair at the pub and took the arm with him, mum weighed herself for the first time since Easter and found no change, and dad lost the business end of his battery operated toothbrush.

Well every cloud has a silver lining - he was able to mend the chair without anyone noticing, mum has reflected the sun all day, we were able to get the last toothbrush in the co-op (although the original was later discovered at the bottom of the pack), the coffee time mars bars has been banned (profit warning), and hopefully if we walk a bit quicker some weight might be disposed of.

As you can see I started the day with a quick check over. We are staying on a campsite tonight, near to Ingliston Showground, where there is a major dog show going on - a girl has to look her best.

Well, guess what, we started with a hill. But a very different one. For some days now, the scaly heights we have reached have been green and pleasant meadow and pasture. Today we have moved back into more hardy territory, with heather moorland forming the vista. We reached the top just in time for a late coffee break, perched on some logs. When we resumed, we walked over the top to a whole new world. Before us lay the central lowlands, an almost flat area of ground, quite well populated and not a hill in sight for miles.

As we neared Edinburgh, we could see the Forth Rail Bridge in the distance. That was near enough, so we headed west for our destination. The Linwater Caravan Park. Our abode for the night, not a pod, but a timber tent. My word, how different to the pod at Bellingham. As well as a heater and lights,  has raised beds with mattresses, a fridge, a kettle, and electricity. The facilities are better than any we have experienced anywhere. And more than anything it has the wonderful Jean, who has been a guardian angel. Thank you Jean and thank you for your generous contribution.

Dad had a new experience tonight, he ordered a pizza - can't wait to see what arrives!

Keep spreading the word

M
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The drovers route

Bye bye to the Tontine who looked after us very well and even posted a picture of us on their Facebook page. The hotel is so called because it was financed by the Tontine principal - too complicated to explain here - google it - very interesting. Peebles is yet another Borders town oozing charm and fascinating architectural features, it really is a lovely region with some great walks

Today was no exception, and as usual, we climbed up hill, to join an old drovers route (some of it was very straight, were those pesky Romans involved?). It wasn't long before dad and I met a farmer and his dog on their ATV, and we struck up an interesting conversation all to do with sheep whilst we waited for mum who had been taking photos (again). A little later, we met the same farmer driving ewes and lambs between fields and we were able to help him (says dad!).

At night, dad spends a lot of time going over the next days route to make sure he can't find some dastardly way of making the mileage shorter. He does this whilst I dictate the blog to mum (you didn't really think I typed it did you? I accidentally on purpose lost the  contraption that they attached to my paw very early on!). So last night all was quiet whilst we got on with our jobs, when there was a cry of anguish. Dad has 58 Ordnance Survey maps for this trip, and for today's walk he was 2 miles shy of a complete trip. Of course, we still had the satnav, and the i pad, and the instructions from the Tourist Centre, but surely all sorts of things will go wrong to prevent us getting from A to B. As it happened this was the best marked route of the entire trip and it is a walk I would recommend to any walker. It's about 13 miles long, and undulates 150 - 200 meters all day long, with spectacular views and good going underfoot.

Mid-morning we met Bruce. Bruce is the nearest we have come to a fellow 'Ender' walking from the north to London. He had the smallest of backpacks and ma and pa were so envious they photographed his retreating form as he left us. Good luck Bruce.

Dad managed to purchase a new hat in Peebles, and I suspect he is lucky not to have had it confiscated (that's the polite version). It's just a cotton walking hat, but it has a zipped compartment that contains a flap to protect his neck, and he's done nothing but play with it all day. Well I suppose it has been a beautiful sunny day, there's a price to pay for everything.

When we got to West Linton we stopped at a cafe for tea and scones. Whilst we waited for them to arrive we witnessed a rare phenomenon - the cafe was next to a children's playground - and do you know what - it was full of children - playing - not an electrical device in sight! Anyway when tea arrived, dad said he had asked for jam but had been told they only came with butter. So they munched away and after finishing the scones, mum poured a second cup. She asked dad if he would like sugar (he doesn't always) and on taking the lid off the sugar pot - lo and behold - jam!

Our B&B is very comfortable, and includes - yeh - a bath. In she jumped Radox at the ready, and had a lovely soak. After which it's always nice to apply a good layering of moisturiser. So she dabs moisturiser in vast quantities all over the place. When she comes to rub it in - it's hair conditioner! Well she's nice and shiny and smooth all over now. Should've gone to Specsavers!

West Clinton tomorrow on 'the thieves route' and another pod in which to rest our weary limbs.

Keep spreading the word

M
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The Peebles - specially for my cousins

This morning, we left Melrose and the tender care of Jennifer at the Braidwood B&B, after 3 days of relative calm, and headed out for Peebles.

Last night, dad found 3 tics on me, which he duly removed. This is a bit of a worry because he doses me with some stuff that's supposed to deal with them for a month. When he read the instructions, he found that it can take up to 48 hours before they drop off. Out came the i pad, and on to the internet. So now, apparently I have this electronic device coming, that will go on my collar, and it will send pulses that will stop them coming anywhere near me. On top of that he has added to our nightly paw inspections, tic inspections. These are very very thorough and yet another invasion of my dignity. Mum wants to know if they will work on humans - I'll keep a very close eye on my device when it comes. In the meantime, it has proved an excellent way of persuading her to leave the shorts in the pack - result!

Dad was a bit giddy this morning, when Altberg called to say that they had re-soled his boots and they were winging their way home. The current pair aren't too bad, but you would think he'd won the lottery - which unfortunately, none of us did last night.

For most of this morning, we walked through forest, carpeted with bluebells, and the perfume was almost overwhelming. After a while they decided to play a game which mum invented, called 'If I had one of these I would......'

The idea is that an object is selected, and players take it in turns to say what they would do with it. It may be converted by amendment, using tools, but new materials may not be introduced. These two know how to live! Today's object was a pallet, and to make it tougher they decided the turns had to be alphabetical. Dad came up with some crackers, like; H for headache (when one lands on your head), mum went for glockenspiel until she realised she was going to end up with X and rapidly changed it to gate! Well.... It kept them quiet for 10 minutes, and it meant I could have a good old sniff round uninterrupted.

Mid-morning, dad lost his hat - heartbroken. He said he thought he could probably make do with a knotted handkerchief, and looked forlorn when he realised we only had tissues and that this solution might prove difficult.

Lunch on the high street in Innerleithen was interesting, and a tad noisy. But this afternoon we have been on an old railway track, easy walking and more wonderful views. The Tweed continues to produce charming offspring, and sightings included a heron, and best of all, a yellowhammer.

When we got to Peebles, we received a wonderful reception at the hotel, and were asked to pose on the steps for a photo for their Facebook page. The hotel is a proper hotel, which understands everything about service, and they couldn't do enough for us.

Tomorrow, we head for West Linton over an old drovers route - could be challenging.

Keep spreading the word

M
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Pilgrims progress

Melrose is a lively Borders town, complete with its own abbey and it marks the start point for the St Cuthberts Way. It oozes charm and has no end of lovely places to eat. The surrounding scenery isn't too bad either, with the Eildon Hills standing guard, and visible for miles around.

When we got here, once more, those wonderful people from Burns had sent my rations through, and I will have an abiding memory of mum sitting on the loo seat, dividing up days supplies.

At breakfast this morning, we were joined by 4 folk undertaking the St Cuthberts Way pilgrimage to Lindisfarne, and our grateful thanks to Tony, Laverne, and Shirley for their generous contribution to our charities. Laverne, I know I have probably spelt that wrong, but should you happen to log in, I would love the name and author of the poem you showed us - it was so very apt.

Once more we have encountered difficulties in finding me-friendly accommodation (humph) so tonight we are returning to Melrose. Dad did his usual; come on you two, let's go, bit. And had to return 4 times for things he had forgotten - me (can you believe that), my harness, my water bowl, and the satnav. More haste less speed methinks, but daren't say.

It was a beautiful morning, so much so that I regret to sy that mums shorts made it out of her pack again - a little crumpled maybe, but she insisted and we all donned our sunglasses to shield our eyes from the brilliant white.

We set off down the road, bypassing Abbotsford the former home of Sir Walter Scott. After a while the path ended with a barrier, due to the development of a new railway. Good old MP referred to his trusty map, and formulated a diversion that took us alongside the Tweed for most of the day. It was a wonderful walk, through sheep filled pastures, woodland and easy track.

At one point we were fortunate enough to see a Grebe, with her 5 chicks. Grebe chicks have a special trick of jumping on their mum's back if they are disturbed, a great sight.

I also had a very exciting moment when we came across 3 fire engines and their crews all kitted out in waterproof gear, preparing to practice rescuing people in the fast flowing Tweed. They asked if they could have their photo taken with me and I agreed.

All too soon, our days walk finished, and we had only a short wait for our taxi to scoop us up and take us back to lovely Melrose. A cup of tea and a piece of cake at a pavement cafe, and
then dad asked mum to get lost (in so many words) so that he could go and get her birthday card. There's nothing like a surprise!

Then it was time to take the tent down to the recreation ground, to put it up in order to dry it our after last week's torrential rain. With bright sunshine, and a gentle breeze, it took about 15 minutes - job done.

Tomorrow it's Peebles.

Keep spreading the word

M
x

The missing days!

Over the wall we go

Mum and dad's kennel

Over the border - phew, those Scots can pick a fight!

Through the Cheviots and down Dere Street - amazing

Aromantherapy

So we left you as we were about to embark on establishing camp at the Camping and Caravanning Club Site at Jedburgh. First of all I must say that the wardens were wonderful, but which goon selected the wettest piece of grass furthest away from the facilities, for the tents. Having received an inferred OK to use a bit of cardboard to keep down the mud, he then went to extremes. Talk about cardboard city. There was so much cardboard around that people were beginning to throw their loose change at us! However, mum and I have to admit that it did the trick and our gear came off site in a very reasonable condition given the circumstances.

Many thanks to the gentleman from Carry Lite for his donation.

For most of the day we have been following the St Cuthberts Way along Dere Street (with the odd MP diversion), and The Borders has come up trumps again. We spent quite a lot of time walking through woodland where the wild flowers are fighting each other for the most over powering aroma. First of all a cloud of the white balls of the wild garlic, throwing out their pungent smell, and giving mum and dad yen for an Italian meal. Then a mass of blue as we hit our first full bloom of blubells. As we moved up the hill (thre always seems to be one of those), we hit the almond perfume of the gorse (there's always some in flower somewhere!).

We also spent some time following the River Teviot, which after all the rain this week, was in angry mood. Eventually we had to cross it on a swing bridge. Mum isn't good with swing bridges. I think she watched too many films of trains going down into gaping chasms when she was small. Anyway, dad was messing with his maps, and so she grabbed me and climbed the steps, determined to go across without dithering. Just as she was about to set foot on the bridge a group of people started crossing in the opposite direction. Of course, this was a good excuse to dither, and they set up conversation when they reached our side. Apparently they were 9 ladies from America, clergy and congregation, who are on a pilgrimage to walk the St Cuthberts Way which finishes at Lindisfarne. After they'd gone dad set out across the river, saying that if 9 people can cross the bridge it must be OK. Mum thought, yes, but they might have weakened it, and your in front now, and your making it swing all over the place!

We had coffee at a lovely garden centre in the middle of the forest. Just as we were leaving, dad spotted a huge wicker rabbit (about 9' high) and thought it would be a great idea to have it freighted home to put in the orchard....mum didn't.

A quick stop in St Boswells for lunch, and here we are in Melrose (Trimontium). Mum had a shock when she looked in the mirror for the first time since Tuesday, hair needed a bit of attention - dad and I had a pact not to tell, because we knew there was nothing she could do about it. Nothing's been said...yet!

Rest day tomorrow. We've a lot to do, but if we get time perhaps we can put some photos on from the 'missing' days.

Keep spreading the word

M
x

The invasion gathers steam

We had a wonderful night at Pennymuir, the legionnaires were very quiet, in fact once the birds went to sleep all we could hear was rabbits munching grass. There was a fantastic sunset, which sadly did not fulfill the dream and we awoke to pouring rain. No matter, we found an old building in which to brew up and eat our nourishing breakfast of instant porridge and Burns.

Just a short trot down to Jedburgh - and it was a trot - 11 miles and in for lunchtime! Dad was on a mission - trouble is we don't know what - worrying!

Once more the scenery was wonderful if not as dramatic, and it struck us that the trees and hedgerows were at exactly the same stage as they were when we walked into Nanstallon, all those weeks ago. Must be something in this 'spring moving north at walking pace' theory.

Jedburgh is a charming little borders town, sporting it's own ruined abbey and lying on the Borders Abbey Way.

We managed to pitch the outer tent in the dry (weather, not ground) and went off to get a cup of tea in order to make sure the tent was thoroughly dry before putting in the inner tent.

Dad hit an all time low when he started scrabbling about in the skip behind the restaurant. Mum said hobos normally steal scraps of food - dad said he wanted to make a doormat to keep down the mud being trodden into the tent so he had rescued some cardboard.......mum apologised.

Melrose tomorrow. I expect we will have to inspect the remains (some mounds in the grass) of the Antonine Wall and then I think we've done with the Romans.

Keep spreading the word

M
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PS sorry, still not a strong enough signal for pics