I get a flyer from work and scamper back as quick as Mr Mustard (The Mighty Micra) can manage. Lindsey's bike is on the drive, loaded up and ready to go, Lindsey herself has her riding kit on and is looking at her watch and pointedly tapping her foot. Looks like I've got plenty of time for a coffee before we set off then.
Once clear of Durham the ride up is glorious, and once north
of the A69 the A68 turns into big fun. The legendary roller
coaster sections tempt me to approach the crests faster and
faster, although self preservation vetoes too much stupidity.
We park up at Carter Bar briefly, it's clear and the views
stunning, but it's also bloody cold and the midges are out so we
quickly move on.
Kelso, nice place, go there.
I only count 4 speed cameras between Carter Bar and Jedburgh and all painted yellow, a good sign of progress surely, or should that read a good sign to make progress? The final blat from Jedburgh to Kelso is as usual dry, traffic and camera free. Enjoy!
On site we park up, pitch the tent and crack a beer or two to patiently await the eventual arrival of Granny Sue and Jas. Much, much later we are all very drunk in the beer hall wondering why the staff are herding us out and into the band barn. And it is here that we meet Spiderman. Spiderman is very very drunk and speaking very very Scottish. Jas and Rick are also extremely drunk and from deepest Yorkshire. Communication is far from easy, or comprehensible for that matter, but is no the less hilarious to watch and listen to.
It all starts off glorious, hot and sunny but we're all a bit hung over so an early morning ride is out of the question. Breakfast is provided by the assorted cafes available in Kelso town centre after which we walk around till about midday by then the worst symptoms of last night have vanished. Time to play.
The road by St Marys Loch. What more do you need to know?
Lindsey, Jas and myself set off for the ride to St Mary's Loch and all points in between. As is normal for this area traffic is at the "bugger all" level, the road surface variable but on the whole good and, as the icing on the cake, there is nothing but blue skies and sunshine. After a walk up to the Grey Mares Tale (it's a waterfall) I decide to test the waterproofing of my new booties by standing in the river - they seem to work and my feet feel wonderfully cool. Later I find that my socks are wet so perhaps they ain't quite that waterproof after all.
So after much scratchin' about, walking to waterfalls and scoffing of food we make it back to site with huge grins, frazzled tyres and slight sunstroke. Time for beer and tea.
Kelso has many good pubs and we find one that suites us all for an extravagant feed before returning to site to drink a bit more. Throughout we're entertained by Rick's novelty sun tan, the redness of the face and head broken only by the white lines from eyes to ears where his shades have been. Very cool.
Feeding time at the zoo.
Kelso show day for all those interested. All the usual stuff
is present and correct; jumping motorcycles, helicopter rides,
trade stands, club stands and a variety of other bits and pieces.
It keeps us all pleasantly entertained for a while.
Early afternoon and it's time to pack up and head off home via
Kielder for the now obligatory scratch and soup stop at the
castle.
Another good do by the BMF guys and gals. If they repeat this year and allow camping from Thursday till Tuesday next time I think we'll take advantage of it for a mini-holiday.