Tour of the Borders 18th to 25th June 2015 by Roy Jackson.
Thursday 18th Carlisle to Moffat
Overcast and windy. John and Sue, Ivan and Janet,Maggie and Stewart, Bob and Roy travelled by car to Brunstock (north Carlisle) and parked up.
Leaving Brunstock on 2 wheels about 11am rode up to Gretna Gateway Cafe to meet up with Maurice, John R, Dave G and Anita who had travelled by train to Carlisle.
After refreshments the group followed the B7076, which closely follows the M74, through Kirk Patrick Fleming to Ecclefechan, where the landlord of the Ecclefechan Hotel provided us with a good lunch.
Again following B7076 through Lockerbie to Newton Wamphrey and on to Moffat getting damp from the drizzle for the last 10 minutes and where Michelle and Peter were waiting having driven up by car.
Part of the group stayed at the Seamore Guest House and others in The Hazel Bank Guest House.
A good dinner was had by all at the Balmoral Hotel which incidentally was where John and Sue stayed on their Honey Moon.
43miles
Friday 19th Moffat to Melrose
On another overcast morning the group left Moffat on the A708 with a following wind at about 10am. The road was undulating along a very scenic valley as far as the famous waterfall, The Grey Mares Tail. From there a long climb made harder because the road had been newly gritted. From the summit a nice run down to the cafe at St. Mary's Loch where the group had lunch. The cafe was very much like an old transport cafe.
Still with a following wind the Gordon Arms was passed – it was being refurbished after a fire.
More refreshments in a tearoom in Selkirk followed by a very pleasant cycle track alongside the river arriving in Melrose at 4:30pm.
A good Dinner was had round the corner at the Kings Arms.
44miles
Saturday 20th Melrose to Spittal (Berwick)
Overcast and dry. Underway at 10:10am on quite a hilly road via St.Boswell and Manor Hill to a coffee Shop in Kelso. Then alongside the river via Wark and Coldstream for lunch, some eating at a pub and some at the Mad Hatter Tearoom.
After lunch the group took the B6437 and met Dianne near Norham. Di had travelled by train to Berwick, then cycled out to meet us. Spittal was reached about 5:30pm.
That night taxis were taken into Berwick to dine at at an Italian restaurant called Limon Cello. There were so many people in the restaurant that it made it very noisy. The food was good and cheap.
43miles.
Sunday 21st Spittal
Overcast but dry. Most of the group rode out to visit Lindisfarne (See Diannes write up) but Maurice and Roy, Janet and Ivan, Anita did their own thing and spent the day walking round the old walls of Berwick and seeing the town. Dave and Bob visited Halfords for a part to fix Bob's bike.
Monday 22nd Spittal to Alnwick
This morning Maurice was having lots of pain in his knee so decided to go with Dianne and catch the train home from Berwick.
The rest of the group set off just after 10am and very soon had to put on the waterproofs as it was raining quite hard, but luckily they had a strong tailwind.
A very wet bunch had lunch in the Bell Hotel in Belfort where Roy had a sandwich so big he couldn't eat it all!!
After lunch the rain had stopped and ther was still the tailwind. After quite a hilly ride, the group arrived in Alnwick about 5:15pm.
The group was accommodated in two B&Bs again but had dinner together at The Oaks.
44miles
Tuesday 23rd Alnwick to Otterburn
Overcast and cold again. The group met up for coffee in the town centre then set off along the B6341 to Edlingham along a very scenic but hilly road past Cragside and stopping for lunch in Rothbury.
After lunch the weather was much warmer and the road still very hilly. Arriving at the Butterchurn B&B just after 4pm.
The landlady treated them to afternoon tea in the garden. The landlady also made them a very good evening meal.
28miles and 2220ft of climbing.
Wednesday 24th Otterburn to Newcastleton
After a good breakfast some of the group had a look around the old church across the road and then they got underway just after 10am on another cloudy morning.
A very hilly road over wild moorland and past Greenhaugh to Stannersburn then turning right to Falstone for coffee.
It was then back to the main road alongside Kielder Water to Keilder Village and lunch at the Anglers Arms.
The group enjoyed some warm sunshine for the last 14miles via Myredykes and Riccarton to Newcastleton
The whole group was able to stay together at the Grapes Hotel where a good evening meal was enjoyed.
40miles
Thursday 25th Newcastleton to Carlisle
Another good breakfast. Overcast again but much warmer.
Anita and John R left early to catch their train in Carlisle.
John M phoned Maurice and arranged for him to pick up Dave who had been struggling to day before.
The rest of the group left at 10am following a shortened route (because rain was forecast) via Kirklinton and Smithfeild to the Houghton Garden Centre for coffee and to meet up with Maurice and Dave.
After Coffee the remaining group returned to Brunstock to return home on four wheels.
23miles.
Saturday/Sunday 20th/21st A weekend in Berwick-upon-Tweed by Dianne
I decided to join the others in Berwick when Steve’s room became available for the weekend. I managed to book a room in Spittal for the Friday night and then on Saturday and Sunday nights I shared a room with Anita. It was very good for me to make the journey across on my own, managing my bike on the train. Surprisingly, on the Monday, I did not return alone but with Maurice who sadly had had to say that enough was enough.
On Saturday before eventually finding the others somewhere near Norham, I spent the morning in Berwick exploring the impressive fortifications (to keep out the Scots) and then I visited Norham Castle (also built to keep out the Scots). I had lunch in Norham and met the Hetton Hawks, a youth cycling club from Hetton-le-Hole. I did about 20 miles.
On the Sunday, most people decided they needed a rest day, even Roy, but luckily for me Maggie and Stuart, Sue and John, and John Rowell were prepared to ride to Holy Island. On a previous visit to the area John Murphy had had experience of Sustrans Route 1, so we avoided the first section by climbing up out of Berwick over a big hill and dropping back down to the coast. This section was by the sea on a quiet tarred road but soon became a gravel track with a lot of potholes. The wind was quite strong on our backs so I was at the front, when I stopped to open a gate I realised the others were quite a way behind and seemed to be stopped and putting on waterproofs. There was a bit of rain in the wind frequently throughout the day. In fact, Sue had not followed my line and ended up falling off into a puddle. Being Sue she made light of it despite being wet and bruised. The road improved again and passing Goswick Golf Course, the sun was out and it was quite pleasant, until we decided we had to avoid the Route 1 shore route and take a track inland across the main railway line and then beside it until meeting the main road to Holy Island. This track was a shocker and John decided that he could not possibly bring the group that way the next day. We decided to explore an alternative route on the way back.
Crossing the causeway to the Island was fun and with the wind behind we soon reached the village of Lindisfarne. What a honey pot, geographical term for a place that attracts loads of people. I remembered it as a very quiet place on my previous visit by bike with my dad and two sons in the early 80’s, but then we did stay overnight and presumably once all the day visitors have left, it is quiet. We had a pleasant lunch and then Maggie and Stuart left us to go and look round Lindisfarne Castle which is in the care of the National Trust. The remaining four of us headed back into a strong northerly wind using, not a Garmin, but a paper map, quite a decent Sustrans map of Northumberland dated 2002. Last time, with my dad, he had a Bartholomew’s ‘half-inch’ map from the 40’s or 50’s without the A1 on it. After loads of lefts and rights we arrived back in Spittal having covered 34 miles.
The highlight of our journey back by train was putting our bikes in the GUARD’S VAN at Carlisle to reach Maryport and Whitehaven. If you want more details ask, as I have written enough already. Plus I forgot to mention we saw gannets diving and dolphins feeding or frolicking from our bedroom window. Wonderful, plus lots of very good company including an uncomplaining Londoner.
Thursday 18th Carlisle to Moffat
Overcast and windy. John and Sue, Ivan and Janet,Maggie and Stewart, Bob and Roy travelled by car to Brunstock (north Carlisle) and parked up.
Leaving Brunstock on 2 wheels about 11am rode up to Gretna Gateway Cafe to meet up with Maurice, John R, Dave G and Anita who had travelled by train to Carlisle.
After refreshments the group followed the B7076, which closely follows the M74, through Kirk Patrick Fleming to Ecclefechan, where the landlord of the Ecclefechan Hotel provided us with a good lunch.
Again following B7076 through Lockerbie to Newton Wamphrey and on to Moffat getting damp from the drizzle for the last 10 minutes and where Michelle and Peter were waiting having driven up by car.
Part of the group stayed at the Seamore Guest House and others in The Hazel Bank Guest House.
A good dinner was had by all at the Balmoral Hotel which incidentally was where John and Sue stayed on their Honey Moon.
43miles
Friday 19th Moffat to Melrose
On another overcast morning the group left Moffat on the A708 with a following wind at about 10am. The road was undulating along a very scenic valley as far as the famous waterfall, The Grey Mares Tail. From there a long climb made harder because the road had been newly gritted. From the summit a nice run down to the cafe at St. Mary's Loch where the group had lunch. The cafe was very much like an old transport cafe.
Still with a following wind the Gordon Arms was passed – it was being refurbished after a fire.
More refreshments in a tearoom in Selkirk followed by a very pleasant cycle track alongside the river arriving in Melrose at 4:30pm.
A good Dinner was had round the corner at the Kings Arms.
44miles
Saturday 20th Melrose to Spittal (Berwick)
Overcast and dry. Underway at 10:10am on quite a hilly road via St.Boswell and Manor Hill to a coffee Shop in Kelso. Then alongside the river via Wark and Coldstream for lunch, some eating at a pub and some at the Mad Hatter Tearoom.
After lunch the group took the B6437 and met Dianne near Norham. Di had travelled by train to Berwick, then cycled out to meet us. Spittal was reached about 5:30pm.
That night taxis were taken into Berwick to dine at at an Italian restaurant called Limon Cello. There were so many people in the restaurant that it made it very noisy. The food was good and cheap.
43miles.
Sunday 21st Spittal
Overcast but dry. Most of the group rode out to visit Lindisfarne (See Diannes write up) but Maurice and Roy, Janet and Ivan, Anita did their own thing and spent the day walking round the old walls of Berwick and seeing the town. Dave and Bob visited Halfords for a part to fix Bob's bike.
Monday 22nd Spittal to Alnwick
This morning Maurice was having lots of pain in his knee so decided to go with Dianne and catch the train home from Berwick.
The rest of the group set off just after 10am and very soon had to put on the waterproofs as it was raining quite hard, but luckily they had a strong tailwind.
A very wet bunch had lunch in the Bell Hotel in Belfort where Roy had a sandwich so big he couldn't eat it all!!
After lunch the rain had stopped and ther was still the tailwind. After quite a hilly ride, the group arrived in Alnwick about 5:15pm.
The group was accommodated in two B&Bs again but had dinner together at The Oaks.
44miles
Tuesday 23rd Alnwick to Otterburn
Overcast and cold again. The group met up for coffee in the town centre then set off along the B6341 to Edlingham along a very scenic but hilly road past Cragside and stopping for lunch in Rothbury.
After lunch the weather was much warmer and the road still very hilly. Arriving at the Butterchurn B&B just after 4pm.
The landlady treated them to afternoon tea in the garden. The landlady also made them a very good evening meal.
28miles and 2220ft of climbing.
Wednesday 24th Otterburn to Newcastleton
After a good breakfast some of the group had a look around the old church across the road and then they got underway just after 10am on another cloudy morning.
A very hilly road over wild moorland and past Greenhaugh to Stannersburn then turning right to Falstone for coffee.
It was then back to the main road alongside Kielder Water to Keilder Village and lunch at the Anglers Arms.
The group enjoyed some warm sunshine for the last 14miles via Myredykes and Riccarton to Newcastleton
The whole group was able to stay together at the Grapes Hotel where a good evening meal was enjoyed.
40miles
Thursday 25th Newcastleton to Carlisle
Another good breakfast. Overcast again but much warmer.
Anita and John R left early to catch their train in Carlisle.
John M phoned Maurice and arranged for him to pick up Dave who had been struggling to day before.
The rest of the group left at 10am following a shortened route (because rain was forecast) via Kirklinton and Smithfeild to the Houghton Garden Centre for coffee and to meet up with Maurice and Dave.
After Coffee the remaining group returned to Brunstock to return home on four wheels.
23miles.
Saturday/Sunday 20th/21st A weekend in Berwick-upon-Tweed by Dianne
I decided to join the others in Berwick when Steve’s room became available for the weekend. I managed to book a room in Spittal for the Friday night and then on Saturday and Sunday nights I shared a room with Anita. It was very good for me to make the journey across on my own, managing my bike on the train. Surprisingly, on the Monday, I did not return alone but with Maurice who sadly had had to say that enough was enough.
On Saturday before eventually finding the others somewhere near Norham, I spent the morning in Berwick exploring the impressive fortifications (to keep out the Scots) and then I visited Norham Castle (also built to keep out the Scots). I had lunch in Norham and met the Hetton Hawks, a youth cycling club from Hetton-le-Hole. I did about 20 miles.
On the Sunday, most people decided they needed a rest day, even Roy, but luckily for me Maggie and Stuart, Sue and John, and John Rowell were prepared to ride to Holy Island. On a previous visit to the area John Murphy had had experience of Sustrans Route 1, so we avoided the first section by climbing up out of Berwick over a big hill and dropping back down to the coast. This section was by the sea on a quiet tarred road but soon became a gravel track with a lot of potholes. The wind was quite strong on our backs so I was at the front, when I stopped to open a gate I realised the others were quite a way behind and seemed to be stopped and putting on waterproofs. There was a bit of rain in the wind frequently throughout the day. In fact, Sue had not followed my line and ended up falling off into a puddle. Being Sue she made light of it despite being wet and bruised. The road improved again and passing Goswick Golf Course, the sun was out and it was quite pleasant, until we decided we had to avoid the Route 1 shore route and take a track inland across the main railway line and then beside it until meeting the main road to Holy Island. This track was a shocker and John decided that he could not possibly bring the group that way the next day. We decided to explore an alternative route on the way back.
Crossing the causeway to the Island was fun and with the wind behind we soon reached the village of Lindisfarne. What a honey pot, geographical term for a place that attracts loads of people. I remembered it as a very quiet place on my previous visit by bike with my dad and two sons in the early 80’s, but then we did stay overnight and presumably once all the day visitors have left, it is quiet. We had a pleasant lunch and then Maggie and Stuart left us to go and look round Lindisfarne Castle which is in the care of the National Trust. The remaining four of us headed back into a strong northerly wind using, not a Garmin, but a paper map, quite a decent Sustrans map of Northumberland dated 2002. Last time, with my dad, he had a Bartholomew’s ‘half-inch’ map from the 40’s or 50’s without the A1 on it. After loads of lefts and rights we arrived back in Spittal having covered 34 miles.
The highlight of our journey back by train was putting our bikes in the GUARD’S VAN at Carlisle to reach Maryport and Whitehaven. If you want more details ask, as I have written enough already. Plus I forgot to mention we saw gannets diving and dolphins feeding or frolicking from our bedroom window. Wonderful, plus lots of very good company including an uncomplaining Londoner.