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
x
Those pair always want jam on it! Conditioner what luxury they have, hope you are getting plenty of Burns. Love jean xxx
ReplyDeleteAnd some!
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back - hope you had a brill hol and that the weather was kind