Borders sheep and pheasant

The fitness training for our holiday in August continued today. Mr hazelh and I left the house just before 09:00 to catch the train south to Stow. First we cycled up (and eventually down) the hills along a route that followed four rivers: the Gala Water; the Heriot Water; Dewar Burn; and Leithen Water.

We stopped for lunch at the Traquair Arms in Innerleithen. Here we refuelled on burgers and beer/Bacardi and Coke. By the time we set off again, it was raining quite heavily - but we didn't care. It was still lovely to cycle along the Tweed, our fifth and final river of the day. It was here that I blipped the sheep in the field with the pheasant. (I had a more exciting wildlife sighting later - a red squirrel crossing the cycle path.)

We eventually returned to Edinburgh from Galashiels rather than Stow. This is because we missed the Stow turning. Unfortunately the train that we were aiming for was cancelled, but this gave us time to enjoy tea and cakes in Paolo's while we waited for the next one.

This evening our brother-in-law Richard has come to visit. Mr hazelh and he are chatting at the kitchen table as I type this. We usually only see him with the rest of the family (as on 1st June this year), so we are making the most of this rare occurrence to have him to ourselves.

Exercise today: 40 mile cycle ride in the Borders.