Day 47 - well deserved rest day!
After 10 days of travelling, think I've thoroughly deserved a break! No porridge or full breakfast this morning unfortunately as it was DIY so muesli and bacon sarni had to suffice. Weather forecast predicted rain but it was bright sunshine when I set foot outside. Decided to visit Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's home (for those of you who are uneducated, he was a 19c poet / novelist who wrote such classics as Rob Roy, Ivanhoe and Lady of the Lake to name just a few). Travelled by bus to Tweedbank and then walked the 1/2 mile or so. Very impressive mansion and the inside was fabulous. Many historic relics and weapons of the bygone era, together with a tiny little library containing over 9,000 books. It was set right next to the River Tweed. After returning to Melrose I decided to walk the 2 miles or so to Leaderfoot Viaduct via the Borders Abbey Way which ran next to the ruined Abbey and onto Newstead. Whilst wandering on the footpath I was amazed to see a tiny bundle of fluff rumaging in the grass at the side : a stoat kit (at least I think they're called kits...?) - he was soooo cute and clearly had no idea I was watching him. Again he was a little too quick on his feet and wouldn't stay in one place long enough for me to get a decent photo of him but I was transfixed just watching him playing around before he disappeared into the longer grass and I lost sight of him. Another tick in the box! Newstead is supposed to be the oldest continually inhabited village in Scotland (didn't actually see anyone in the village so I have to take their word for it!). A short way from Newstead was the 'famous' Trimontium Roman settlement. An amazing fort, ditches and village was built and later excavated here...trouble was, I couldn't see any sign of any of it - just looked like a few fields to me but again, I'll take their word for it. Now the viaduct, that was impressive. I lost count how many arches it had and I have no idea how high the tallest columns were from the ground but what I do know is that it was built in the 19c to carry the railway at the time. There's now 3 bridges that span the Tweed at that point : ornate stone footbridge and a boring road bridge being the other two. Retraced my steps hoping to find my friend Pop the weasel but no sign unfortunately although a little further on there was definitely another one that shot across the path and into the grass : were they having a party or something? Stopped and sat for a while, camera poised just incase they'd forgotten anything and decided to head back home but no more sightings so headed back into Melrose to the tea shop and the best caramel apple pie I've ever tasted! This is actually the first time I've found an internet since Edale so this is actually me updating the blog this time rather than my faithful PA, John to whom I must pass on my utmost love and thanks for all those long evening calls dictating my diary so that he can update the blog on my behalf :o)
Only 3 days of running left before I reach the mighty city of Edinburgh and yes, another day off. Then I head over to the west coast where the delights of the various lochs await me. Hopefully the sun will continue to shine on me as my tan is coming along nicely (although the lines look pretty stupid!). Please keep the comments coming as I do pick them all up and they make me smile...record for one day is 8 so let's try to beat that! It's great to know what's happening at home and what I'm missing (or not missing as the case may be). And Paul W, I'll run away from any helicopter you send in to pick me up and take me back to work early....7 July is the soonest you'll have me back as I'm having way too much of a good time!