Morning run. Glorious morning, a little bite in the wind, but bright and dry. We took a route through the woods. and then over the old railway track and back via the Teviot.
8/4k, mainly tracks with half a k of road. I got back to see that it really has sprung. The Kats basking in the sun, and the rockette who has been up and about for a few days making one of her regular breakouts from the garden.
We used the tracks through the #windfarm near #Eyemouth to get around. What started as a bright morning had moments of threat in the sky, although we didn't get wet.
It's a Sunday, which means another day in our bookshop! 2024 has been a patchy year so far, so I'm hoping the better (?) weather brings bookish types out! #bookshop#scottishborders#books
Hermitage Castle, in a remote corner of the Scottish Borders south of Hawick. This is a castle with a truly forbidding reputation and atmosphere, and in our picture is oddly reminiscent of the figure in Edvard Munch's "The Scream". More pics and info: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/hawick/hermitagecastle/index.html
The 14th international programme gilm - more than 70 films across cinema screenings, moving-image exhibitions, live performances, and a Festival Ceilidh. Fun, friendly and challenging. Kicks off May 2.
It is just as well that the seeds of Dandelions are so infertile!!! But having deadheaded a great number, we have enough for the first couple of batches of Dandelion ‘honey’ of the season. Goes very well with lots of things, although I love it in yoghurt and porridge.
We have a series of author events throughout the year. Our next features local #ScottishBorders favourite, crime writer Ed James on Thursday 2 May. Book now as this one is almost fully-booked!
Our events are free of charge. Book via our wesbite.
A great talk by Mary Craig in #Fala about the facts and fictions around the Witch hunts in the Scottish Borders. New (to me) was the high rate of suicides amongst convicted men (if executed the Kirk got their inheritance, if suicides then they were just damned) and the last (1941) conviction for Witchcraft - still sealed!
As a pre-emptive strike we also picked up an extra copy of her book to prevent our daughter filching ours…
And the troglodytes win. With help from the media - Guardian INCLUDED. No one ever looks at the very successful roll out in the Scottish Borders (Conservative council). Grumbles maybe, but I know of no one who wants to go back from safer, more pleasant towns and villages. But what can you expect from a Starmerite?
A lovely day, bright but a bitter northerly breeze. We ran along the road before climbing up to Fatlips Castle and from there cross country to Minto, over the Mintos and back along the old Borders railway. Damp, but relaxing. 24.5k, lots of climbing.
And better still, partner has been out for some emergency this morning, so we’ll meet in St. Boswells later this afternoon and get out along the Tweed. And a coffee. 🥳
Witch Trials were one of Jimmy Vi's better known exports to England. Mary Craig is worth listening to, Fala is just into Mid Lothian along the A68 (mid way between Pathhead and Lauder) . Easily accessible, and you can get a bus north or south as the hall is a short walk off the road. Warning - the hall is small.
Mainly small roads, took us past Lindean Glassworks where we took a short break to ogle some of their lovely work. Now now only open by appointment (unless you are lucky) until June 18k, road with some tracks.
Back to Scottish sunshine (the liquid sort). Ran a new route near Stow. Only 11k, but a good loosener and the dug loved it.
Mobbed by lambs (who knew no better until one of their ma's told them off), the dug took advantage of the situation to address a group of the unrulier ones. He lectured them on paying attention to their local dug and reminded them that the twilight barking informs him any unruly behaviour.
The imposing James Hogg Monument, overlooking St Mary's Loch in the Scottish Borders. It was unveiled in 1860 to commemorate the author often known as "The Ettrick Shepherd" who lived from 1770 to 1835. The image shows the setting before the trees in the background were blown down in a storm in January 2022. More pics and info: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/selkirk/jameshoggmonument/index.html
I'm sorry, I know I've picked this song for various hashtags on a fairly regular basis - but if the #TuneTuesday theme is songs that give you #goosebumps, then I can't possibly overlook it. It's a piece that gives me goosebumps upon goosebumps.
The Unthanks - Mount the Air (live, with the eleven-piece band they were touring with at the time) https://youtu.be/9atpx-u1juI
Friday, April 5
Hawick Common Haugh 10am
Denholm Village Green 12.30pm
Jedburgh Glebe car park 3pm
Saturday, April 6
Peebles Kingsmeadows car park 9.30am
Innerleithen Red Bull car park 12pm
Walkerburn Bridge 3pm
Sunday, April 7
Coldstream Bridge 9.30pm
Tweedmouth Queen’s Gardens 12pm
Kelso Mayfield Garden Centre 3pm
Pheeew. Made it on Sunday with a last run from Galashiels, up to Maigle Hill, Torwodlee Broch and return. The Broch is one of three in the Borders and is overlooked by one at last weekends run.
A gorgeous day and a stiff run 480 metres of climbing and steep with it. Slowest run of the month. 2 hrs 5 mins.
A fundraiser with two colleagues (one cycling, one swimming) for the Borders Food Banks.
We drew lots to swim 1k open water, run 1 half marathon a day, and cycle 50 miles every day for March, to raise funds for Borders food banks.
I hate food banks, an indictment of the callous barstewards in Westminster who can not even be excused of knowing the cost of everything. Funds matched by our company (we are employee owned) and as of last night a total of £41000 and a few pennies).
The amazing Norman carving on the Edrom Arch near Duns in the Scottish Borders. This is all that remains of a church that was built in the early 1100s and demolished in 1732. More pics and info: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/duns/edromarch/index.html
Visiting Bow Castle Broch we took advantage to have lunch in the #Cloudhouse Cafe as well as getting a book fix at the wonderful Wedale bookshop in Stow (rhymes with Wow not Toe), perfectly situated for the walk and close to one another in Stow.