March 11th - Lammermuirs

A mercy-dash to Cranshaws to sort out the Aussies’ dead oven gave me the chance of a more interesting run. Did the needful in their house, then set out across the hills to Greenhope to photograph Bill Landale’s sun-house and then on to Abbey St. Bathans along the Whiteadder. What a gorgeous spot Abbey is, tucked away in its own little valley and time-zone. Full of bohemians and Dobies, and a lovely atmosphere about the place. Flagging after an hour and inexplicably sore feet. Forgot to carry food, and Landales and Dobies all out at church so I couldn’t scrounge any. Waddled back through the woods along the Southern Upland Way and up over the hill to Cranshaws. About 1 hr 50 in all, but would have been 5 or 10 minutes quicker if I hadn’t wobbled so much on the way home. Lovely run, and a joy to be on old fondly-trodden trails again. Fancy getting the guys up for an ultra later in the year. Either an individual attempt on the St. Cuthbert’s Way record (62 miles from Melrose to Lindisfarne) or a relay along the Southern Upland Way, 212 miles coast to coast, for which Carnethy hold the record at something like 27 hours, I think. Any takers?