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
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