After an enjoyable evening and good nights sleep in Kelso, we had a hearty breakfast and leisurely start to the day.
Despite the forecast cloud, the early mist cleared and were soon cycling under clear sunny skies, but with a welcome slight breeze.
Heading out of Kelso we were again on quiet country lanes passing through rolling beautiful countryside. Unfortunately we were both feeling sluggish after a tiring day yesterday and after about 5 miles and a few hills Thomas decided he had had enough, that he was too tired and decided he didn't want to cycle anymore. Took quite a bit of gentle persuasion to get him going again and we set of at a slow pace. If social services knew what I was putting him through I'm sure they would take him away from his cruel father!
We made slow but steady progress and soon Thomas was feeling better and moving a bit quicker. Unfortunately, my legs remained like lead. I am sure someone is adding stuff to the panniers each night because they are becoming heavier every day.
We crossed the Tweed several times across some great bridges, some of which swayed as we crossed them. At one spot we watched the salmon anglers out in boats with their gillie holding the boat in the current as the angler cast. There were 4 boats at regular intervals and I am sure they were paying a lot of money for their weeks fishing on the Tweed. On one bridge were we rested Thomas spotted a barbel holding in the current under the bridge. Never seen or heard of barbel in the Tweed before.
Now we were running along the beautiful Tweedale valley. Cycling along forest tracks ( sometimes so rough we had to push the bikes to avoid punctures) and at other times high up looking across the valley with amazing views.
We missed stopping for lunch because there were no villages along the remote route so had to be content with consuming the snacks we had left in the rucksack.
Getting tired we were glad when Innerleithen came into view further down the valley and soon found the small hotel. About an hour after we arrived the heavens opened and it poured for about 2 hours, the first rain we have seen all trip. How lucky was that!
Tougher day tomorrow: 38 miles and a 1200 ft climb up to Edinburgh, so early to bed.
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