A Gala Walk (At Last)

After a break last week due to bad weather we were due to head for West Cumbria this morning to do an 8 mile circular at Cleator Moor but on looking at the weather forecast at 7.00am this morning we decided to head East to do this Galashiels walk postponed last week. It was a good decision as when we reached Gala the sun peeked out for a wee while. We did have about 30 minutes rain but it was not very heavy and soon cleared. For many years we have avoided Gala for no particular reason except that to all Borderers Gala is the common enemy or the rugby team everybody loves to beat. It is a great source of humour especially in Hawick where the love/hate relationship is at it stongest. They say they would rather be a lampost in Hawick than the provost of Gala. Any way we had a lovely walk and decided that we will soon be back as there are a few more walks in the portfolio of this nice Border town. It was good to have Niall back with us after a 3 month absence in Western Australia. He has had to get used to a 20C reduction in the temperature but will soon get used to it. The photograph above is on the Southern Uplands Way route out of Gala.

This is taken from the Old Tweed Bridge looking west up the River Tweed to Yair.Tom was on good form today but his boots are in a delicate state and it's doubtful if they will last much longer. Having done a remarkable repair job Tom is keen to get every ounce of usage out of them.

Abbotsford House in the foreground with the familiar Eildon Hills in the background.

Another view of the River Tweed

This white sheep has 4 black lambs

Lunch on the Tweed

A closer view of Abbotsford with the Visitor Centre now open but the House wont open until July.