Fording every stream on the Borders Abbeys Way

Well I brought it on myself I suppose - part of my Resolutions for 2012 was to 'ford every stream' - which all sounded fine and good as it was being belted out by those nuns in the Sound of Music...but in reality....well, it's kind of wet fording every stream...

As part of my mission to conquer the Borders Abbeys Way stage-by-stage, I set off from Edinburgh on a dreich Sunday morning to meet Dad and Andrew in Kelso. The weather did just about everything on the drive down, but as always it was a lovely drive. Dad and Andrew got to Kelso shortly after me, and we then took one car up to St Boswells - or actually just outside, in Clintmains, future village idyll.

We set off along the road initially and then into the woods. It wasn't long until we stumbled upon our first minor problem:

There's been a fair bit of rain recently, and the path literally disappeared into the torrent in front of us. However, as Andy pondered over the best place to jump, Dad and I spotted a bridge. Over we went, feet still dry. Andrew was still tempted to jump though...even though the bridge was clearly the sensible option...

Thankfully, he made the right call and took the bridge, but it certainly wouldn't be our last stream to ford.

The path took us through fields, and onwards alongside the Tweed. The river was very high, and very fast. We passed a wee angler's hut, but there was no chance of fishing today. Dark clouds loomed ahead of us, but the rain stayed off, for now.

It was great walking along the Tweed, but it wasn't long before the path twisted away from the river, through the fields once more.

It was here we stumbled upon our next problem. I'm sure normally at the point above there is a small stream or trickle of water or boggy bit to cross ... not for us. The field was very muddy, and the fast flowing stream was very wide as it cantered its way down in to the Tweed. How on earth were we going to cross this one?

As Dad pondered shimmy-ing along the fence (a sight I wish I'd seen actually) I managed to find a narrow part of the stream. With the biggest leap I could muster, I went for it. Thankfully I made it, but with a bit of a squelchy landing. Now I was on the other side, I was in the perfect place to catch Andrew's and Dad's attempts to ford. Unfortunately - oops I mean fortunately - they both made it safely:

From there we meandered our way up, through and over fields. There were a few small hills, each effort rewarded with panoramic views all round. After a few miles we reached the small settlement of Makerstoun, where we took a short break for lunch and a breather. Previously there had been a clammy sweaty mugginess in the air whilst walking; now sitting brought a distinct chilly breeze and our jackets were soon back on again.

Buoyed by our sandwiches and pork pies (best walking fodder), we were soon striding back out again. Again, the clouds looked ominous above us, and it wasn't long before they turned to rain.

Andrew had had his waterproof trousers on from the start of the day, but as the rain started to get heavier, Dad and I swithered about - and then stuggled with - getting our waterproofs trews on. By the time we eventually had managed, the rain had stopped.

On we went along paths, skirting round fields, trudging through long, wet grass. From what I've seen of the Borders Abbeys Way so far, this wasn't the most exciting stage. That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable, as it certainly was. But once we'd gone past the Tweed and the views, there was a fair amount of trudging to be done. This wasn't helped by the fact it was very muddy, and very wet. My feet were wet from quite early on, and it really is time I invested in some leather boots for wet walking.

Whilst some of the fields weren't all that exciting, there were some nice ones to be seen:

More trudging, each left turn through the fields making us feel like we were going further and further away from our destination, Kelso. Of course we were getting closer and closer, and after a sweeping tree-lined downhill section, we were alongside this famous landmark:

After we'd past the amazing intertwining of the Racecourse and the Golf Course, we were out onto the outskirts of Kelso, and there was a bit of discussion whether to take the 'quickest' route into town, or the official route of the Borders Abbeys Way. Well, with two votes to one (sorry Andrew) we were following the official way into Kelso town centre - past the ice rink, through a housing estate, and then out with a great view of Poynder Park and the North Parish Church:

We then continued to follow the official path down to 'the Cobby', which now holds memories for me - Dave taking me down to Kelso to show me where he'd grown up; and then last summer with many of the Keith clan, including Dave's brother and his family over from Australia, seeing their old house Falcon Hall - the former home of the falconer for the Duke of Roxburgh.

We didn't spend long - the rain was starting to get heavy again - and the town square was moments away. We'd arrived - ten miles later - and lovely though Kelso is - we were wet and ready to head off.

Happy Father's Day daddy!

We drove back up to Clintmains to collect the other car and then re-convened at the Buccleuch Arms in St Boswells - for what was supposed to be a celebratory cup of coffee. But the 'Free pint for all Dads on Father's Day' sign soon put paid to that plan - pints all round.

It was then a lovely drive up from St Boswells on the A72 towards Peebles and to West Linton for a much-needed shower and a delicious dinner.

More great times on the Borders Abbeys Way - 3 stages done, 3 to go....

a run, a walk, and a hop over the the Misty Isle!

Wow - what a fun-packed and active past week it has been - not just a walk but a run too!

I have to admit I thought my running days were well and truly over...I used to be a keen runner but now I'm not so sure...it has been four years and a wee bit since I last attempted to pick up the pace:

Cape Wrath Challenge 2008

Edinburgh 10k 2008

Both these events took place in May 2008, and I haven't run since. I certainly became lazy, and walking became my new friend in the latter part of last year.










But behind every former-keen-runner who is happy to hang up her trainers, there is a former-triathlete-hockey-player-badminton-player-golfer-plus-every-other-sport-going-and-still-so-very-active mother, keen to push - I mean encourage - her children into the next crazy event.

After visiting Glenturret Distillery in February, Mum got an email about the Perth Kilt Run taking place on the 2nd of June. It sounded like a fun event, as well as a chance to be part of breaking a World Record. But I was worried I'd be unable to run after four stationary years. Thankfully, my mother forced - I mean encouraged - me (and Andrew, Ross and Dave!) to enter - paying our entry fee to ensure we had no choice in the matter!

With a week to go, training was a word that never crossed my mind. I'd have to fluke it and hope for the best. But I certainly was nervous. We arrived in Perth early to check in, and there was a distinct Jubilee-related buzz aboot the toun. The nerves increased as 2pm got closer and closer...although a pre-run crisp roll went down a treat.

We began from the North Inch in Perth, and the park was filled with lots of happy people. It was amazing to see so many runners in their kilts, and soon we were powering our way through the park, being cheered on all the way. The atmosphere was incredible, and I ran most of the way with a smile! Now if all running could be like that....I'd be far more keen. We ran alongside the river, round the South Inch and back up to the North Inch for one more lap. It was a lot of fun!

Sadly we were 16 runners short of the World Record but that didn't take away from the success of the event. Already looking forward to next year!

Faith was slightly restored in my running ability, as I did enjoy it. Given my lack of training and the warmth of the day, I was pretty pleased to run 8k/5m in under an hour (definitely room for improvement though!):

Although I'm sure the times are correct, I have to say that the most accurate part of the above shot - which certainly summed up my feelings following the event - is the part that says Status: Finished.

Days of agony followed...and my wee legs were glad to get back to walking (hold on - does 5 miles an hour count as running? It's faster than ambling, that I know...). But inbetween the run and the walk was a fortunate hop skip and a jump over to Skye - which was just what was needed at that moment!

Dave and I left Perth just before 4pm and got to Skye just after 8pm after a beautiful - but quite slow - drive on a sunny evening. It was my first trip back to the Misty Isle since the beginning of November, my last tour up there. I was itching to get back, and as always, it didn't disappoint. We had some great weather and I found myself literally jumping for joy...

 

We got home on Monday evening, both of us with sore legs and the end (for Dave) / beginnings (for me) of a cold. Tuesday brought yet another day off work (ta ERII) and a chance to rest...

But rest was not to come yet...myself and my awesome colleague Jenny had planned to use the extra Bank Holiday to climb Ben Vorlich but my achy legs were struggling to get on and off pavements. A Munro was just impossible. We decided to do a shorter, flatter, and more relaxing walk - and where better do so than the Borders?

We rendezvoued in the car park at Tesco Colinton, stocked up on supplies, and talked over the route plan. We then took a lovely drive down to Melrose, and left a car there. Together we drove to Selkirk, parked the other car, and attempted to find our way out of the town. This proved more difficult than it sounds, as the Borders Abbeys Way takes you steeply out of Selkirk towards the fields beyond.

Given that we've been planning walks for other people for over three months now, Jenny and I were more than a little bit excited to be heading out ourselves. We were proper kitted out and everything -

 

The walk was lovely - the scenery was incredibly relaxing, and it was so nice just to stroll along and not have to think about much at all.

Most of my anxiety was focused on getting through the fields of sheep, the fields of cows, and worst of all, the fields of sheep AND cows. Especially when they stared us down...

We had a yummy lunch on the shores of Cauldshiels Loch, although we moved on fairly quickly due to the yucky flies that were everywhere!

I enjoyed the latter part of the walk the most. Once we've figured out how to get round the building site at Abbotsford House (including conquering a peak...of mud) we were onto the river-side path, and followed the Tweed all the way to Melrose. It was lovely. Again, relaxing, straightforward and thought-free.

After 10 miles we reached Melrose, with the Abbey in view ahead of us. The rain was beginning to fall and it was great timing on our part, as the heavens opened not long after we got into the car.

I've done one and a half stages of the Borders Abbeys Way now, and plan to do the other three and a half in the coming months. I look forward to seeing - from a walking perspective - what Jedburgh, Hawick and Kelso have to offer. So far, St Boswells to Melrose was wonderful, and Selkirk to Melrose was also fantastic!

Ye just cannae beat the Borders.

And now - a week since the Kilt Run and my muscles have finally forgiven me. However, I'm still choked up with the cold and taking it as easy as possible. I'm genuinely excited about the walks and Munros that are still to come, and I hope you are still ambling along with me as I go...