Our last weekend staying at the SYHA in Kirk Yetholm to complete the Pennine Way and we couldn't have had better weather.......well perhaps it could have been a bit less windy but that's being very picky!
35 of us and Eamon took the smaller coach to Kirk Yetholm and Kelso. I stayed in the hostel in a jolly group of 18. As it was a Scottish hostel it was all self catering so it required a bit of forward planning in the food department. Its quite amazing how the group sorts itself out into early risers and later risers in the morning. I always seem to have my breakfast early with Harry and Stuart and Peter and then get out of the way and have a peaceful hour or so before its time to set off.
We travelled up on Friday evening after a day watching (or trying to avoid!) the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. I wasn't going to watch but got drawn into it and actually really enjoyed it.
The walk we had left to do was 27 miles with very few places to leave the Pennine Way but Ray had devised a cunning plan to enable the 'B' walkers to do it in three sections and the 'A' walkers to do it in two sections. It required several more miles and much more climbing than the 'B' walkers would normally do but we're made of sturdy stuff and it had to be done to complete the walk.
Eamon dropped us off at Byrness and we set off up a steep track through a wood and out on to Byrness Hill. The sun shone as it did all weekend and spirits were high as we were all looking forward to finishing. We made our way steadily upwards and stopped for lunch with splendid views of forests and hills.
Eamon dropped us off at Byrness and we set off up a steep track through a wood and out on to Byrness Hill. The sun shone as it did all weekend and spirits were high as we were all looking forward to finishing. We made our way steadily upwards and stopped for lunch with splendid views of forests and hills.
A large part of this walk was beside the border fence between Scotland and England and we kept crossing from one to the other.
The 'A' party went ahead after lunch and then the 'B' party split into two for a while in the area of the Roman Camps at Chew Green. All of us had to descend to Cocklawfoot to catch the bus and the 'B' party left the Pennine Way at Windy Rigg and made our way downhill. The 'A' party and those who had gone ahead walked a bit further and took a very pleasant track down the other side of the valley and we all met up at the same time and on time to leave at 6.00 pm.
It had been a very tiring day 14 miles and 2800 ft of climbing and there were some sore feet and legs in the group.We all had a good meal, some lucky people got a piece of rhubarb and apple pie and custard at the hostel! Most were in bed fairly early to get ready for another hard day tomorrow.
