Tuesday, 12 June 2012
An explanation!
An explanation has been requested for all the snogging photos! Well, very simple really, our group leader Ronnie seems to have made a habit of choosing a walk which has several kissing gates on it. So when we reach one, by some strange coincidence his wife Julia and him just happen to be passing through at the same time. And on Sunday's walk there was a double kissing gate and as it had been Donald's birthday... Sandra did the honours. Apparently there is no truth in Ronnie's comment that there are hundreds of kissing gates on the WHW! Can't imagine it being very romantic trying to kiss through a midge net anyway.
Sunday, 10 June 2012
It's getting close!
Seven weeks today we will be in Glasgow and about to set off on the first leg of the West Highland Way! Gosh doesn't time fly! Hopefully all the training walks will have been worthwhile and we will be raring to go. And with a bit of finger crossing the sun might be shining. Here's hoping.
Sunday & Selkirk to Melrose
Driving over to Selkirk mid morning, things, did not look very good. Ahead of us it was dark and very wet and the distant hills didn't appear very inviting. However, by the time we had deposited passengers in Selkirk (they made for a cafe and bacon rolls!) and we had deposited two cars in Melrose and driven back, things were on the up and the coats came off. The first part of this Abbey Way takes you up over Selkirk Hill and with wild flowers in abundance, it was a really pleasant start to the route. But then we were in Selkirk! After leaving the hill and passing a beautiful garden, we headed along a track before going up the side of a field to a seat which afforded us grand views looking back towards Selkirk and the Yarrow and Ettrick Valleys. From there it was up the road to Half Crown Corner before an old drove road led us down to Cauldshiels Loch. Having stopped for lunch at the top it was a miracle there was anything left in the rucksacks but luckily we managed to rustle up a few crumbs for two swans and their beautiful 6 cygnets. Just Magic! From here it was a short walk downhill to Abbotsford House undergoing major work at the moment. Exciting times when you see the large visitor centre taking shape although it did mean this was about the muddiest part of the whole day as the diversion took us down past the new building. There were some lovely stretches through woods on this walk and before too long we found ourselves taking another break underneath the red viaduct. A short stretch along the banks of the River Tweed saw us passing in front of Lowood House before joining the Southern Upland Way. Passing the back of Waverley Castle Hotel we learnt that this was Skirmish Hill where the last battle in the Borders was fought in 1526. Obviously what goes on on the rugby pitches nowadays or downtown on a Saturday night doesn't count as a battle. The cauld looked pretty wild as we passed by before we reached our destination. - Melrose Abbey. It really was a very enjoyable walk with no rain. Just how we managed that was a bit of a miracle as no sooner were we into the car for the return journey home than on it came. It didn't seem like 10 miles, maybe we are getting fitter or perhaps just well fuelled with flapjack and birthday cake. Yes some folk keep telling us they did the West Highland Way and lost weight. We might just be the exception! Great walk, and good crack, so roll on the next walk. Now time for a bath!
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Sunday's Walk
Well it is June, but who on earth would believe it looking at the weather!
This Sunday June 10th, providing everyone has recovered from Hawick Common Riding, the plan is to walk from Selkirk to Melrose along the Abbey Route. Somehow looking at the forecast don't think we will need the suntan cream like a fortnight ago when we were in the Jedburgh hills soaking up the sunshine. But, looking forward to this 12 mile stretch which is supposed to be pretty nice. When we mention our plans, or badger folk for sponsorship, it is amazing how many have done the West Highland Way and assure us we will enjoy it. But it is also kind of scary how many mention the midges when we tell them it is the end of July/August when we are walking. So... what we need now are all your ideas on how to deal with them! Maybe gin will be the answer. With a bit of luck won't be any out this weekend.
This Sunday June 10th, providing everyone has recovered from Hawick Common Riding, the plan is to walk from Selkirk to Melrose along the Abbey Route. Somehow looking at the forecast don't think we will need the suntan cream like a fortnight ago when we were in the Jedburgh hills soaking up the sunshine. But, looking forward to this 12 mile stretch which is supposed to be pretty nice. When we mention our plans, or badger folk for sponsorship, it is amazing how many have done the West Highland Way and assure us we will enjoy it. But it is also kind of scary how many mention the midges when we tell them it is the end of July/August when we are walking. So... what we need now are all your ideas on how to deal with them! Maybe gin will be the answer. With a bit of luck won't be any out this weekend.
Monday, 28 May 2012
The Towford Walk
Sunday was the first time it has been a heatwave for any of our walks and what a fantastic walk it was. The hedges and trees had suddenly appeared to come into full leaf as we drove up through Oxnam and down to Towford and already the paddlers and sunworshippers were parked up at the ford.
The water did look very tempting but we knew our mission and it was straight up the hillside or rather Dere Street. The sheep faulds at the top was next to a surprisingly grassy field but the views were already breathtaking. One of the features of this walk seemed to be the number of sheep pens and stells dotted about this "Cheviot" countryside and all well maintained. From there we contoured round for a welcome rest and snack at Standard Knowe with Buchtrig Farm away in the distance.
Refuelled we ambled round the hillside passing an overflowing bath before another wee climb onto the top for a panoramic view with a distant Ruberslaw and the Eildons looking grey in the haze of the heat.
The days of the Border Reivers quickly came to mind when we found ourselves looking down into a huge basin near Peelnick. Thankfully it was peace, perfect peace with skylarks our only company.
It wasn't until we got up onto the top and took a break at the Mountain refuge hut on the Penine Way that we encountered other walkers and cyclists. No doubt the hut has been a welcome sight and refuge for many a person on other days when the weather has been anything but welcome.
A stretch back along the Penine Way took us to Black Halls and was good going with some paved bits on the way before we turned again onto Dere Street for a really beautiful stretch looping back round to Blackhall Hill and the faulds which was at the top of our first climb.
Then it was downhill to the ford and a hot car which thankfully cooled down while we paddled in the burn! It was great knowing after 10 miles we had really earned it.
What a day. As someone said when it felt like we were on top of the world looking down on a picture postcard." If only we could bottle it!" How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country and be able to pull on the boots, load up with plenty of water and go walking.
The water did look very tempting but we knew our mission and it was straight up the hillside or rather Dere Street. The sheep faulds at the top was next to a surprisingly grassy field but the views were already breathtaking. One of the features of this walk seemed to be the number of sheep pens and stells dotted about this "Cheviot" countryside and all well maintained. From there we contoured round for a welcome rest and snack at Standard Knowe with Buchtrig Farm away in the distance.
Refuelled we ambled round the hillside passing an overflowing bath before another wee climb onto the top for a panoramic view with a distant Ruberslaw and the Eildons looking grey in the haze of the heat.
The days of the Border Reivers quickly came to mind when we found ourselves looking down into a huge basin near Peelnick. Thankfully it was peace, perfect peace with skylarks our only company.
It wasn't until we got up onto the top and took a break at the Mountain refuge hut on the Penine Way that we encountered other walkers and cyclists. No doubt the hut has been a welcome sight and refuge for many a person on other days when the weather has been anything but welcome.
A stretch back along the Penine Way took us to Black Halls and was good going with some paved bits on the way before we turned again onto Dere Street for a really beautiful stretch looping back round to Blackhall Hill and the faulds which was at the top of our first climb.
Then it was downhill to the ford and a hot car which thankfully cooled down while we paddled in the burn! It was great knowing after 10 miles we had really earned it.
What a day. As someone said when it felt like we were on top of the world looking down on a picture postcard." If only we could bottle it!" How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country and be able to pull on the boots, load up with plenty of water and go walking.
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