Before I recount the travelling to the start of our grand walk, I need to cover a couple of items from before we left…. This last week has been frenetic for Tricia and me, getting items ‘tidied’ before we left, but it has also been a busy week for Ellie. Her prom night was last night, and as of Monday she didn’t have a dress to wear that she was happy with. Fortunately after a torturous visit to MK, they came up with something Ellie was pleased with. On Wednesday she want into London with some friends to ‘get some make up’… Not sure why a trip to London was necessary, but seems like they had some fun. Friday Ellie was at an heightened level of excitement for most of the day. Nikki came over at lunchtime to do her hair, then at 4:30 I had to drop her off at her friends where they all got themselves dolled up.

She had a wonderful time. The pictures above are Ellie with some of her year 11 friends, and one of her with her friend Tom. She stayed overnight at her friends house, she and Charlie were off to a gathering of a group they will be doing work with as part of the NCS (National Citizen Scheme – I think).

Yesterday evening, after I had finally managed to free myself from work, Tricia and me went to Pat and Clive’s to watch the recording of the play we performed in Feb for MADS. In parts I was pleased with what I had done, in other parts I cringed :-). As usual it was a good evening, plenty of laughs. When we got home I had to finish packing… So it was late to bed (after an early start to look at the post EU Brexit  carnage on the TV).

This morning we were up at 7, and actually ready when Clive came and picked us up.  A leisurely drive to Amersham station, and we were on platform 10 minutes before our train to Kings Cross. We were at Kings Cross 40 minutes before our train departure, and so used the ‘Virgin first class lounge’. Wow, posh or what ! The train left on time, we were fed and watered whilst on board as we flew by the countryside. Stops at York, Darlington, Newcastle, before we alighted at Berwick-Upon-Tweed. It was dry, which was good, and a little unlike the rain we had passed through around Newcastle.

We procured a cab and headed for Kirt Yetholm… This is the ‘end’ of the Pennine Way, but we are doing it the other way, so it is our start :-). As we had time to spare before we could get in the B&B, we did the sensible thing and drank some cider.

I am not normally a cider drinker, but have to say I enjoyed this one. Once in the accommodation, we decided on a look round. I was a bit grumpy as I felt the rooms were not quite what I had expected, but I will reserve final judgement till I have seen and tasted the quality of the breakfast tomorrow.

We walked the first couple of miles out on the Pennine Way, just checking the route. It was a lovely evening. Back in the village we went to see a rather beautiful local church. Kirt Yetholm itself seems to be in general need of an uplift, but the church itself was lovely. After a cup of tea, and a quick viewing of Wales robbing NI at the Euros we went to the ‘Border Inn Hotel’…. The food was absolutely fantastic. It is nice when something exceeds your expectations. Tricia had chicken with haggis, and a rather lovely cheesecake, I had some lamb, beautifully cooked, followed by cheeses. We had better not eat like this every day or despite the walking we will come back significantly heavier!

And so the day ends… A pleasant day, mainly restful. Tomorrow the hard slog begins.

Yup … We will be heading for them thar hills! The one in the picture above on the left is the first one to tackle in the morning. Weather forecast looks ok till about 4:30pm, when we will probably get some rain. We have around 12 miles to walk… But that doesn’t include any deviations Tricia may introduce 🙂