Cauldshiels Loch and the River Tweed at Melrose

Keen to take advantage of the exceptionally warm early spring weather, today Mr hazelh and I drove south to the Borders. We made a quick diversion to buy seed potatoes in St Boswells, then turned northwards again for Melrose. There we parked our car next to the abbey and looked forward to a 9-mile circular walk.

Setting off just after midday, we followed a route out of the town along the disused railway line, into the Rhymer's Glen (where we stopped by the stream to eat our picnic), up to a hill fort (although I should admit that we didn't spot it), down to Cauldshields Loch (top picture in the blip), through the grounds of Abbotsford (home of Sir Walter Scott), and back along the River Tweed to Melrose (blipped as the sun set). It was beautiful the whole way, but my favourite part was around the loch.

Back home again, and with faces glowing from our day in the sunshine, we are now going to collapse of the sofa with a glass of wine - or in Mr hazelh's case beer - in hand.

Exercise today: walking (24,855 steps).