One month! (19th August 2016)

After a rest day I wanted to make some good progress and get close to the English border.

Friday 19th August 2016

Today marked a month since taking the sleeper train to north of Scotland – and today would be the final full day in Scotland. I walked to Melrose, which is barely a different place to Galashiels.

I then followed St Cuthbert’s Way towards Jedburgh. This had a remarkable number of benches, presumably a route aimed at an older crowd. After passing some villages, the Way followed Dere Street (a Roman road from York to Scotland).

The section I walked is no longer what we think of as a road – but is still there as a footpath and like most Roman roads, was perfectly straight! Like the Romans a couple of millennium ago, I was able to make swift progress.

I left my stuff hidden by Dere Street then walked into Jedburgh, ate an Indian curry and stocked up on food. Walked back in dark and slept under a large oak tree in bivi.

At one point that night I awoke after hearing a loud screech. It was a horrific, inhuman sound. I was a little afraid despite knowing that there are no animals known to attack sleeping humans in Britain. I thought it might be a fox, but then realised it was coming from the tree above. Later the sound came from other trees nearby. As far as I can tell it must have been an owl. They may cute but don’t sound cute!

Distance: 25.6 miles [view on map]

Spending: £21