A real feeling of being in the right place at the right time...not just once but numerous times this week. It has been busy, fruitful and rewarding. You could almost say it was the right week at the right time...
It started on Monday (as weeks tend to do). Monday was a big day in my wee Borders village - it was the day the rail track was laid down here on the very exciting Borders Railway project. It will be September 2015 before we can board a train to Edinburgh, but the 24th November 2014 was a big milestone on the way to that happening.
There was a real buzz about the village, and I was lucky to have the time to go and watch the track being laid. I was surrounded by many railway enthusiasts - including some who had travelled from as far as Perth and Rosyth to watch the reinstallation of the Borders Railway.
I spent a good couple of hours out there, chatting to visitors and locals, watching the track going down. It will be amazing to travel on the railway next year knowing how the process happened. I would've missed this moment if I'd been at work, and I couldn't help feeling like I was meant to be there.
Eventually my feet got so cold I had to head for home, but later that day I went back out and managed to catch the track laying train returning to base. I also managed a short run (I almost typed "enjoyed a short run" but I'm not sure that would be entirely accurate!).
Tuesday brought a great walk with my Dad on the John Buchan Way. I can't really claim this as my latest long distance trail, as it is a one stage walk, 13 miles from Broughton to Peebles.
It started off with an uphill pull towards Broughton Heights, before the path levelled off and we enjoyed a stroll between the hills.
After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing to rejoin the path we were supposed to be on, the next section of the walk took us to 'The Glack' and towards Cademuir Hill. We arrived in Peebles just as darkness descended, with muddy boots and tired legs. A reviving cup of tea and piece of cake followed before we both set off for home - all in all an enjoyable walk and definitely recommended.
On Wednesday I had a number of things to do in Edinburgh, and I decided to take my pedometer so I could see how far I walked across the city. By the time I'd made all my appointments and completed all my errands, from Leith to Haymarket to Stockbridge to the city centre to Lauriston Place, I'd walked 10 miles. With sore feet, and less a pint of blood (chuffed to have given my 18th donation at the Blood Donor Centre), I got the bus home, feeling tired but feeling good.
Thursday brought a lovely wee trip to Yellowcraig beach near Dirleton in East Lothian, and North Berwick. I always feel better when on a beach!
I also had a pleasant visit from a pheasant, which was another moment I was happy not to have missed!
Friday was the quietest day of the week, but Dave and I managed a wee 3 mile run as part of our training, and both felt better for it. We risked "Black Friday" in Tesco at Galashiels (since when was Black Friday a thing over here?!) and managed to come away with a fake Christmas tree and some cheap neeps...nae bad.
The forecast for Saturday was looking good at that point, so we planned a walk with friends Gibson and Col, to Dunsinane Hill and King's Seat in the Sidlaw Hills. Sadly the forecast we'd seen - that the cloud would lift and the weather improve - didn't happen, and instead we had a very foggy trudge with very limited visibility.
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| Top of Dunsinane Hill! |
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| Gibson admiring the views! |
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| Dave, Gibson and Col, top of King's Seat |
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| Top of King's Seat |
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| Back at the start of the walk; Collace village beyond |
A walk that we'll have to return to in better weather - but even despite the conditions, we all enjoyed the day out, the company, the challenge, and the hot shower when home (separately, obviously!).
Today, Sunday, of course brought St Andrew's Day to our beautiful wee country. The sun shone and it has been the nicest day of the week. Dave and I spent a lovely day at Dryburgh Abbey, which is such a peaceful and tranquil place, particularly on a day such as this. We paid our respects to Sir Walter Scott, who is buried in the grounds of the Abbey, and stopped at his favourite viewpoint - Scott's View.
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| Scott's View |
On our way home over Lauder Moor, we got lucky with another stunning sunset. Superb!
