Day 68 - Kirk Yetholm to Kelso - 8 miles

Total distance walked so far = 890.3 miles
Total ascent so far = 107 229 feet

With the prospect of a shorter walk today, I decided on a more relaxed start and after breakfast, enjoyed sitting outside The Plough in the morning sunshine.

The shortest off-road footpath I could find didn't even lead to Kelso so I decided to walk on the road instead - probably not the best decision but at least it'd be over with quickly. 

The attraction of walking is that it gives an opportunity to look and appreciate beauty in the details.
..and sometimes the ugliness in other people's misfortune.
Fortunately, there wasn't too much traffic and 7 miles later I arrived at the Tweed bridge leading past the abbey in to the centre of Kelso.
Apparently the bridge at Kelso was used as a prototype for Waterloo Bridge designed by the same architect a decade later in 1811. When the Waterloo Bridge was eventually replaced over a hundred years later, two of its lamp standards were salvaged and brought back to Kelso.
The roads led straight past the abbey
and in to the attractive town square.
I'd intended to use my spare ime to some sketching but the town square is effectively a car park so it was impossible to find somewhere to sit without cars being the major subject.

Donald picked me up from the square and we headed back to Nenthorn for a great evening.


If you'd like to leave a comment, correct me on any detail or just nudge, it'd be great to hear from you. If initially it comes up as Anonymous, please just add your name at the bottom so I can see who it's from.

email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com
mob: 07850109100

If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.

- Just Wheels UK  - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.- 

- Parkinsons UK   - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-thomas215


- RNLI   - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there 

https://www.justgiving.com/

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