Wednesday- Melrose to Jedburgh

Here we are in Jedburgh after a very long day of something in the region of 20 miles! Jedburgh is slightly off the st Cuthbert's way, which added a little extra to our journey, but is an interesting place to have seen.

It has been a lovely varied day of hills, riversides, bridges, steps and the odd boring road, with everything underfoot from firm grass, trail or tarmac to extremely sloppy mud.

Back at Melrose Abbey, so we could officially start from the start of the trail.

Leaving the town of Melrose

Bit of a shock to the system first thing, and immediately after a cooked breakfast. 133 steps (according to the book, we didn't count!)

Two of the Eildon Hills, from the third hill, Eildon North. The route goes between two of the peaks, but we thought it would be rude not to pick one! This one was home to hundreds of circular huts in the bronze age, which are thought to have been the sacred site of seasonal festivals. We didn't see any though!

Eildon North as we descended. There are lots of local stories of these hills, including one of a wizard's demon servant being kept busy by being tasked with carving one big mountain into the three we are today. Another tale tells of a poet being kept beneath the mountains for seven years by a fairie he wronged, who then released him with the 'gift' of only ever being able to speak the truth 

In the woods beneath the Eildons we had a few obstacles, but also enjoyed listening to the quiet stillness and birdsong .

Spring flowers popping up everywhere

An unexpected rusty frame of a recliner chair that must have been there a very long time!

Bog ahoy!

Some lovely lambs that were on the path, Eildon Hills in the background.

Many wooden bridges were to be found.

Looks like a rock, but is actually some metal wreakage- maybe towed downstream in a flood?

A detour to Dryburgh Abbey, which sadly like Melrose had a metal fence around it while they investigate some potentially hazardous masonry 

This Abbey had more walls to its outer buildings than Melrose, and though the overall scene was perhaps a little less impressive, it was very secluded, far from a town and very peaceful.

Even has some glass windows in tact

Pretty yellow crop with a less pretty cabbagey aroma

The crystal well! The building above has a very modern (in Victorian times) water pump, which was operated by a donkey walking in circles, and pumped water to the house above. They also built this lovely water feature.

Maxton church of St Cuthbert. His name is upon many churches in the area.

A final abbey to end the day at Jedburgh. We didn't get here until well after closing time, but with aching feet and limbs we were happy to quickly view from outside before picking up some food!

Another view of maxton