TACamino

A gentle drive through the English winding roads to the Stirling Castle. On the journey we visited the Kelpies. The Kelpies name reflected the mythological transforming beasts possessing the strength and endurance of 10 horses; a quality that is analogous with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland's inland waterways. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area. The park is named Helix which is a very beautiful community park. We moved on to the Falkirk Wheel which is a rotating boat lift in central Scotland, connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. The lift reconnects the two canals for the first time since the 1930s completed in 2002. We travelled ... read more

Awesome day again. We were picked up perfectly on time by our Scottish Friend Dave in Lindisfarne. We drove across the Causeway on to Bamburgh Castle which is one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK. It was an important strategic placed to protect the island in medieval times. It was the capital of the Northumbria Kingdom. It has an awesome armorer and a grand hall. Rooms filled with artifacts from a variety of eras. We drove back through Jedburgh and revisited the Abbey and Mary Queen of Scots residence before her escape to England and eventual demise by Elizabeth the first. A quick drive back to Melrose for an grand dinner. Relaxing great day Cheers. ... read more

38,800 steps, 28.5 km. We woke to a morning of hard rain and our thoughts quickly moved to being drenched for the day, wet and miserable. By the time we finished a bit of breakfast the hard rain had passed and our spirits were relieved and hopeful of a better day. We started off in a steady drizzle which over the next few hours became less and less. Through the morning we took off the extra three layers we started with and by mid day we’re were in short sleeves. Initially the path had some elevation gain and the whole day was filled with up hills only to descend shortly thereafter until we reached the North Sea. Through the day we had narrow paths through fern covered forest floors and through pastures of cows and sheep. ... read more

16,350 steps or 12.2lm. A shorter day again as we headed up the mountain to the highest peak of St Cuthbert’s Way. We shared the pathway with cattle and sheep. Some unwilling to move, unthreaded and unthreatening. It was a little steep on both the incline and the decent but a very pleasant day in all including the weather. We are just inside Scotland near the English boarder. Staying at the Boarder Hotel with a nice little pub and dining area. Again great staff. Cheers ... read more

They lied. It was only to be 23 km and it ended up 34 km and 44000 steps. (As per Fitbit.). Ok.. we did get a little lost in the forest coming down from the saddle out from Melrose but that was well less than “1” km. I’m Tired!! Feet tired!! It was a grand trip up the hills out of Melrose. There were about 130 steps to climb and many more Km’s To the saddle. All fantastic. Going down from the saddle was nice as you are walking through forest. The markings need to be clearer, larger and bold. I need to share that signage on this leg was less than perfect. This part of Scotland and England are often wet. They really need a little tender loving care to put small gravel in the ... read more