Border Hills Repel Southern Interlopers

That was the header of an email that Ian Shiel sent to the weekend's walkers. As Ian put it:

Aye Lads, "Sent Hame Tae Think Again"!

I must confess for time of year snow conditions were almost as bad as I've known them. Perhaps in 1963 things were still as bad in April and certainly worse even though I only have vague childhood memories of it and a few family photos 1947 but as Croydon would say "that were a 'ard winter."

Ian had also provided transport for His Holiness, the Incredibly Irreverend Dave and a wonderful selection of bottled beers (ooh the Black Douglas was particularly gorgeous and the Belhaven 80/- wonderfully drinkable) for the dejected party. It was great to see an all round great bloke in such fine form.

Saturday afternoon

View from Wanda, Saturday evening 

As I have written previously, we had planned to depart on Monday morning at 7:00am - which had meant a 5:30 wake-up for me. I have no idea why - it just does take me that long! The night had started below freezing and drop-dead still and we are inside our tents fast asleep before ten on Sunday night.

During the night however, all hell was let loose, with Wanda getting a damn good thrashing with grapeshot and winds like a camel-collapse. I slept fitfully and was mightily relieved when at about six in the morning I heard Mike having a conversation, between his beard and the splattering rain, with Phil, the nub of which was that we were throwing in the towel.

Quite right too: The idea of struggling over twenty miles against that dreadful maelstrom with snow and mud chucked in for good measure was not one that filled me with the joys of spring.

(You can click on any of the pictures to make them bigger)

Obviously, the three pictures above are from Sunday - but you get the idea about the snow.

So staring defeat in the face, we sploshed into Tibbie Shiel's Inn for a great breakfast and a warm welcome to arrange transport home. This is a great pub and we will definitely go back there, just for the warmth of the reception.

Poor Dave had managed to get away from all his duties tending to his flock only to have to return home with just a drink in the pub and a wild night out on the shores of a loch. Still - the walk will still be there when hopefully the snow and shocking weather will have gone and we can have another stab at it.

Thanks must go to Mike for organising a great break - albeit one which we, quite rightly, abandoned!