From Kelso to Innerleithen (Day 9)

Day 9

Distance: 33 miles Elevation gain; 1,995 ft.

We felt sad at saying goodbye to our amazing hosts, Lisa and Colin at Inglestone Guest House in Kelso who had treated us as friends of the family. Such a lovely couple. We were also full of apprehension at what the day might bring. The Met office had forecast 95% chance of rain from dawn to dusk all along the route we were to be following. We saw the forecast on TV before we left and this again showed a swathe of blue, indicating rain from Kelso to Innerleithen. Well, the Weather Gods were having none of it!! Those sacrifices you all made at the beginning of the trip worked wonders today!! It was a truly glorious ride all the way with only a few spots of rain (and it really was a few) until we reached our accommodation for the night. We felt really lucky and so privileged to be able to enjoy this ride without being soaked.

There was a lot of climbing throughout the day but our legs are stronger now than at the start of this trip and we managed them all with relative ease. The downhills were again exciting and adrenalin creating... for me, but Bob understandably struggles to keep control with all the weight he is carrying (on the bike, I mean.. lol ) The route took us through the Tweed Valley, such beautiful countryside. Half way through we stopped at the delightful little town of Melrose, famous for its abbey. We stopped at a cafe/wine shop which was amazing.

For Annette, the wines

And for Bob, the whiskeys!

You can imagine our disappointment when we realised we couldn't carry any of it home on our bikes! So we consoled ourselves with cake and coffee.

Annette enjoying this so much!

Truth be told, we were only a couple of miles from our destination and were feeling weary. We came to a small village called Walkerburn and were surprised to see several washing lines on the village green with washing hanging from the lines.

Washing line on village green

Talking to a local man who was exceptionally friendly, he told us that he has a photo of these houses from 1912. At that time they were inhabited by the workers from the woollen spinning mill on the hillside behind the houses. Hanging the washing on the Green was common practice. On average they had eight inhabitants in the two bedroom houses! The gentleman also told us that the Tour de France would be passing through the village when the Tour starts from Edinburgh in July 2027.

Riverside just outside Innerleithen.

We arrived at or destination, happy but tired and hungry. We are staying at the Traquair Arms. An unpretentious pub with really kind and lovely staff, where we had a truly scrumptious and inexpensive meal. Tomorrow is our last day. We will have a 14mile hill climb followed be an exceptional descent into Edinburgh. Can't wait!

Lots of love

Annette &Bob