Day 74 - West Linton to Livingston - 13 miles
Total distance walked so far = 941.7 miles
Total ascent so far = 112 522 feet
The pub didn't do breakfast so their recommendation was to go a few yards down the road to Pyet's deli.- What a popular place - an oasis?!
There we met Ryan who was helping out.
There we met Ryan who was helping out.
Jackie had recently acquired Raven, a beautiful black labrador - who had a leg sprain - so she was trying to contain his puppyish enthusiasm by keeping him on the lead for the time being. Not easy! All he wants to do is enjoy those tantalising smells and be off chasing those wabbits!
Jackie lectures in nursing and had originally trained as a paediatric nurse at the "Sick Kids" hospital in Edinburgh. It turns out she recalled working there with Consultant anaesthetist Richard Burtles - the small world continues!!.
On leaving West Linton, my route, the Cross Borders Drove Road, rose gradually from the busy A702 into a calm arcadia of mature trees and sheep pastures.
The last of the large houses on the left was Srongarbh. - a real beauty and a Grade A listed building.." of National and international importance"
The metalwork and gates are beautiful too. The boot scrapers outside the front door are profiles of Scottie dogs.
I could just make out the inscription above the door
NISI DOMINUS AEDES STRVXERIT FRVSTRA STRVIS
Apparently this is from Psalm 127 and translates into: 'Unless the Lord built the house, you who build it labour in vain'
Apparently this is from Psalm 127 and translates into: 'Unless the Lord built the house, you who build it labour in vain'
Just up the the road I caught up with Neil. He was out to enjoy a long walk - part of his physiotherapy, only his third time out after having a pacemaker fitted just a few weeks ago. He was setting a cracking pace!
Neil used to head the clearing section of Bank of Scotland.
A keen rugby player and prop as a younger man, he'd played against some of the big names of his generation. He's still a fit man. All the best Neil, Long may your lum reek!
A keen rugby player and prop as a younger man, he'd played against some of the big names of his generation. He's still a fit man. All the best Neil, Long may your lum reek!
We were then caught up by a group of young walkers from Gillespies School on their Duke of Edinburgh Siver award exercise. They were being supervised by a group of teachers including Ann and Alasdair.
Ann had taken a 4 month career break a few years ago and used the time to cycle across Europe.
We chatted about the benefits of the DoE schemes and the availabilty of National Navigation scheme for adults.
Two inspired and inspiring teachers.
The Cross Border Drove Road then reduced to a single track and as the route becomes more remote is referred to as the Thieves Road.
Who knows what lies in wait on the Thieves Road?
As I reached Cauldstane Slap - I met Ewan, a radio ham who'd spent the morning on East Cairn Hill at just over 1800 feet.
He'd been participating in a SOTA (Summits on the Air) event - an award scheme for radio amateurs in mountainous areas. He'd been making contact with others including those on mountains in Switzerland. The furthest he'd been able to contact was another radio operator in Greece.
These events depend on two kinds of participant - those broadcasting ( known as goats) and those receiving (known as chasers) His call sign is gm0vmv.
Apparently a recent edition of BBC's Countryfile had featured an item on SOTA events.
He explained that radio communications depend on radio waves bouncing off the ionosphere and the performance depends on the sun's activity. A major solar flare ( which apparently occur on an 11 year cycle) can cause a total radio blackout.
To the North of the pass, the path drops gradually on a meandering path, past Harperrig Reservoir and then stops abruptly at the A70 - otherwise known as the "Lang Whang".
I'd spotted this when planning the route some months ago and realised that I'd probably have to walk on the verge of the A70 for a mile or so before crossing it to pick up a convenient route northwards. Fortunately, the road was quiet and I was even able to lend a hand in hearding some cattle across the road for milking.
The farming land from there to Livingston is lush and rolling but as I got closer to Livingston, the appeal of walking through estates of new housing started to pale.
I caught a bus for the last few miles into the centre.
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If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.
- 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/
- 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.-
- 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
“Thieves Road” — fabulous name!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly wouldn't want to be passing through on a dark night. There's also a place in Wales, close to where I walked, called Brigands' Inn.
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