We're in

Poor signal again, but I will do my best.

Forest View, is 3 terraced houses in the forestry village of Byrness, that have been joined together to provide accommodation for walkers, principally on the Pennine Way. As well as rooms they have a restaurant, and a bar, and a small garden where you can pitch your tent, with a nearby loo and shower. We had a good dinner and breakfast, and Colin even made sure everybody's boots were brushed off and put in the boiler room to dry. On the way in, dad asked mum if there were any spare rooms, she could have one with all the facilities and he would stay in the tent with me. I think he was looking for a bonding session, but mum was so shocked, she said no, and then regretted it for the rest of the night. They had no TV mainly because there is no reception in the village, and no papers - what bliss.

Some other walkers, had a little dog called Daisy. She was only a tiny terrier, doing the Pennine Way and the poor little mite had such sore paws she could hardly walk. Anyway, mum gave her some of my special butter balm, and the man said she was a lot better this morning.

This morning, we were awoken by the loudest dawn chorus we have ever heard, it was incredibly loud and testament to the massive forest nearby. As we walked in last night, we spotted a cross bill - what a beautiful bird, his colours are not given justice in all the reference books.

Well, since we left Lands End, we have seen daffodils and primroses every single day. It will be interesting to see how far up we continue to see them in Scotland.

Yes, they sent me across the border, to make sure the Coast was clear and then over they came, there were no guards on the border. Mum did a little dance  and waved her make believe flag in the air (Yorkshire Rose - of course). I looked at dad, dad looked at me...mum deflated. Me I had my own Burns celebration.

Marco Polo did his bit again, devising a route that broadly followed the Pennine Way, but avoided all the bog. Still uphill (of course) but through some wonderful forest scenery at a reasonable gradient. Halfway up we came across a wee (see I'm getting the lingo already) bothy - a small mountain hut traditionally used by drovers but now providing emergency accommodation for hill walkers and the like.

After a long journey on the PW, today we left it for the final time and joined Dere Street - the old roman road which used to connect York with the Antonine Wall (forerunner to Hadrians). The scenery has been absolutely stunning.

Tonight, we are wild camping near to the remains of a Roman marching camp - I hope they are not going to make too much noise with their swords and shields.

Tomorrow we continue to follow the way of the Legions.

Keep spreading the word

M
xx