What a contrast today has been! Not only was it a short walk, but the sun shone and I was buoyed along knowing that tomorrow is a rest day! We walked along the Tweed Valley Railway Path, so no hills! The path is well maintained and follows the river, so was pleasant walking. We even managed to walk together and actually converse!

Arriving in the small border town of Peebles, we left our rucksacks at the hotel and wandered around town before having lunch. We then did some necessary shopping and deposited our bag of dirty clothing at the launderette (not self-service this time) for collection tomorrow. All in all, a relaxed day with time to recover tomorrow, ready for more hills!

A Backward Glance

We followed the route of the once Tweed Valley railway line constructed between Innerleithen and Peebles over land owned by local Lairds and which operated between 1864 and 1962. I find land ownership interesting, believing that it’s something which only a small privileged few can claim. The third of an acre, including your house and prize roses, you have no entitlement to if it’s in the way of ‘Public Interest’, and compulsory purchase can always be exercised. If you own 3000 acres, you will enjoy ‘title’ and ‘entitlement’ and it’s always in the ‘Public Interest’ to keep us out. So when a railway line was considered to be in the ‘Public Interest’ of the local community and business around here, one Laird simply said NIMBY and a bridge needed to be built to divert the line across the River Tweed to get around his land. Another said you can only cross my land if you provide a stop where only me, my family and friends can get on and off as we please. This little glimpse of regional railway history reminds me whom the people are, who have absolutely no interest in the public. On our walk we met a local lady who was part of a small group of volunteers keeping the path and borders looking tidy for us and others enjoying the walk – which spoke volumes! A short walk, but steps taken along it have been profound for some.