January – Walk of the Month!

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Otter on the River Tweed!

29th January 2017

Hello

I’ve decided this one is ‘walk of the month’ for January.  We walked it yesterday, having been confined to the house by the truly miserable January weather for a few days.  We convinced ourselves that once we were out and about, all would be well – and it was.  The sun came out followed by all manner of birds and beasts!  I think there was more variety of wildlife on this walk than we’ve ever seen before in one walk!

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Blackadder Water, Blackcastle Rings and the Mountain Sheep of Deil’s Neuk

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Blackadder Water

22nd January 2017

Here we are again!

A shortish riverside walk from Greenlaw through a beautiful glacial valley, a climb up to an iron age fort and a cup of tea at the Deil’s Neuk. There was mist and drizzle, sleet and snow.  We saw deer and dippers and lots and lots of sheep. Continue reading

A Mist Descends over The Cheviots

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20th January 2017

Hello people…

We ventured out to The Cheviots today intending to walk about 7 miles exploring some of the hills, on what our instruction book (The Scottish Borders – 40 Favourite Walks by Robbie Porteous) tells us, is a ‘rolling ridge walk’.  Probably we could have chosen a better day to take to the hills.  It was one of those grey days when you don’t quite know what’s going to happen to the weather and, because we’ve never walked in these hills before we don’t know them at all.   Continue reading

The River Tweed and Tweedbank

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15th January 2017

Hello again!

Just returned from a ramble from Abbotsford House – home of Sir Walter Scott you’ll remember – along the River Tweed which was grey and murky today.  It was a grey and murky day……no sunshine, and the tracks were back to mostly mud rather than mostly  snow and ice – shame really – mud’s not so pretty! Continue reading

Duns Law and The Colonel’s Walk

14th January 2017

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Hello

I’ve recovered from the the dastardly mud and the humiliating tumbles on the Eildon Hills and, having been confined to the house for a couple of days by gale force winds, was keen to get out today and make up  some miles. We decided to make for Duns and have a ramble through the grounds of Duns Castle and a climb to the top of Duns Law.  It was cold and, as you can see the snow is still lying on the ground, but thankfully the wind has dropped and the sun managed to put in an appearance.

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I’m not doing that again!

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8th January 2017

Hello

I’m not sure this was the best walk so early in the #walk 1000 mile year – especially uphill, especially 300 metres (that’s 984 feet in case you were wondering) uphill and most definitely not 984 muddy, claggy, slippy sloppy feet back down again – some of it in a very undignified position.  My knees are sore, my hips are sore, my feet are sore (we won’t talk about other sore parts of me!).  It’s ok though….I’ve had a hot bath……and wine!  I can smile about it now….. Continue reading

Waterloo Monument on Peniel Heugh

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5th January 2017

Hello!

It’s been a good first week of the year for walking – a bit on the chilly side but very little wind and clear skies.  I’ve managed several local walks since I last wrote and today Mr RR and I took ourselves off to see the Waterloo Monument which is at the top of Peniel Heugh, and at 48 metres high can be seen from quite a distance.  We’ve often driven past commenting  that we must go and see what it is one day – and now we have! Continue reading

Happy New Year!

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1st January 2017

Happy New Year Everyone!

It’s the first walk of the year and the first walk of the 2017 #walk1000miles challenge organised by Country Walking magazine.  It’s all gone a bit mad this year with badges and Facebook groups (there’s even a special one for us ramblers living in Scotland) and progress spreadsheets to download and questions about the right trackers and boots and all sorts of other kit. Personally, I shall be aiming to walk 1000 miles over the year, using my trusty pedometer to measure the miles and wearing my usual walking gear plus waterproofs when I remember to bring them! Oh….and I’ll be writing about some of the walks on here.  So……lets get on with it! Continue reading