Biggar and Better

In fact much better. The rain stopped early this morning, I slept well, again, with no pee breaks. I did it in the sleepingbag- boom boom – laughing again. The tent dried in the early morning breeze and I got up reasonably early. Almost had a shower but it’s only been 5 days so I’m not over-ripe yet. I haven’t taken my clothes off for 3 days, in or out of the sleeping bag. 

A longer than anticipated walk today, 18 miles as I found a path off the road along the riverside for much of the way. Innerleithen to Melrose. 

The sun was out as the early clouds scudded across the sky and all was well with the world. Walking was made for days like this. No, that ain’t right. Days like this were made for walking. And that’s just what I’ll do. The river was still in flood from yesterday’s rain.

The path crossed the Tweed and joined up with the old railway line again. Brilliant. My foot was really good. I strapped it up with plasters and blister plasters across all the painful bits and round the little toe, which particularly suffered. My boots were soaking still from yesterday so I wore my Salomon walking trainers and the pain throughout the day was much less. As the blisters affect my small toe and the front of my sole I tend to walk with my right foot pointing out rather than forwards. This doesn’t help so I consciously walked faster and pointed both feet forwards whilst walking, almost bobbing along. It worked today.

My foot was much improved by the end of the day, with plasters largely removed.

The sunshine took over and the villages scooted by on the other side of the river. My side was for posher ones as the railway track intersected with the road once in a while.

The air was not too warm, breezy but ambient, perfect for walking. The sun was hot but covered periodically by clouds, perfect for walking. The smells of dog roses, gorse, wild honeysuckle, wild garlic and the rushing water were a really lovely cacophony, perfect for smelling.  I missed breakfast and only had a small mouthful of fresh water in my flask so I was getting quite hungry by noon, I’d set off at 8.30. 

Fishermen were stalking the banks and trying to find a clear and quieter spot, before giving up and drinking cups of tea in fishermens’ sheds by the riverside. I was offered a cuppa when I asked for directions as the track fizzled out into dense overgrowth.

Up to a quiet country road and I put my foot (left one) on the gas. 

The road dropped down to the river and I followed another track down the banks, crossing an old bridge with a beautiful view upstream.

By this time, 13.00, I was starving. Almost jogging with my rucksack on my back I covered 3 miles in less than an hour and found a hotel with a decent cafe/restaurant and with reasonable prices. I stuffed myself and rolled out at 15.15 with only another three miles to go. The countryside was classic Scottish Borders. Look at this shot below. Just gorgeous. Not spectacular, not exciting, not breathtaking. Just gorgeous.

And the hill behind Melrose began to get closer.

Eventually the town where the heart of Robert the Bruce was buried came around the corner.

I put up ma tent and had a shower. Five days and I smell good, like I know that I should now! Good, so good, I smell good! Clean clothes. Yes. Early night tonight my matey boys and girls. 

Night night.

Thanks for reading. It makes blogging worthwhile. I hope you like it. Home late tomorrow. Night kids.