We left the Grapes and bought food at the Spar, another late start at 09:30. We’ve stayed here and at our next accommodation before, so took a different route which unfortunately misses the Eskdalemuir community hub cafe but is six miles shorter. The day was cloudy apart from a few sunny spells towards the end but we were spared the westerly wind.
Easy cycling until we climbed into the Cheviots. I stopped to photograph the sign to Saughtree station but Christine carried on past so I couldn’t investigate. In the evening I read that the old station building has been converted into a B&B. The line was closed to passengers in October 1956 and completely two years later. The station had a single platform, a stone-built station building, and a siding.
We were pleased to find a picnic bench in Denholm, a small village seemingly populated by detectorists, one of them informed us that some 16th century silver coins had been found. Lots of roadies were out, a couple told us that there’d been a big mountain biking event in Innerleithen last weekend and the Enduro World Series with Pro riders is in a few days time, with 10,000 spectators expected. Cycling is massive here.
We checked into the Glede Knowe guest house in the busy town, such is the volume of visitors that we had to settle for a takeaway from the excellent Saffron Indian restaurant. As we turned the corner, a man walking towards us said “I know you two”… it was Luke, who until recently lived just down the road from us, and whom we’d not seen for years.
We booked a table for tomorrow night at the Traquair Arms, where we went for a drink after the takeaway. A contrast from sleepy Newcastleton where we were the only guests at the hotel.
Today’s distance: 51.4 miles ( 82.7 km)
Today’s ascent: 917 metres
Cumulative: 706.6 miles (1137.5 km), 13303 metres