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As expected, it had rained heavily overnight and it continued in the morning. As the rain was forecast to ease mid-morning to the light variety of wet, I planned to have a long sleep, a shower and then to hunker down in my tent until mid-morning catching up on my blog. I’d then walk 12 miles to Peebles in light rain and walk further for the next few days in better weather to catch up. In any case, I’d calculated that I had a day in hand for my rendezvous with Sophie in Fort Augustus.

My plan was working well, but as I returned from my shower, I saw that the ground around my tent was rapidly becoming waterlogged. Very soon, I’d be lying under a foot of water. Plan B was enacted straightaway and I left the campsite, with little damage done bar a wet tent, sleeping mattress (both would dry easily) and one recently washed wet sock. I was miffed about the sock. My fault, I should’ve stowed it in a dry bag with everything else.

In Innerleithen I had my first Scottish fry up, including haggis, some other similar but whiter form of sheep’s innards, sausage (regular rather than square shaped) and a potato scone. I’m extremely fortunate that I can eat practically anything on this trip and still be guaranteed to lose weight. It may be difficult to return to a normal diet when all this walking is finally done.

Just after 11 o’clock, during a brief hiatus from the rain, I set off towards Peebles. The first surprise was that Peebles turned out to be 6 miles away, not 12, as my app had suggested. This was good news but provoked a tricky question. I had thought I’d stop at Peebles where there’s a campsite to dry out what needed drying. I could still do that but 6 miles in a day is a pretty pathetic effort. I’d think again once I got there.

En route the path followed the river Tweed and although there was no sun, it was a pleasant walk. The Scotts to their credit weren’t afraid of a bit of drizzle. “The weeds will grow well” as a friendly woman put it. There were also golfers galore and bikers on the way. I also passed the enormous McDonald’s hotel. It looked a little austere from the outside. It advertised itself as a spa and golfing hotel. I was more attracted by the idea of a spa personally.

I didn’t hang about and arrived in Peebles at just before 2 o’clock. The path had taken me past several impressive looking hotels, one of which did archery, and an attractive park with signs for baby alpaca, although I didn’t see any. Peebles seemed to be quite a big place. 

While the weather was at bay for the time being, I had no confidence in it for the remainder of the day. I got a good bargain at booking.com. and checked myself in to the Tontine Hotel for a half day rest day, likely my last of my long walk. 

I hung up what needed to be dried and put various devices on to charge and headed out to explore the town. I finally managed to find more Smidge, there had been none in Jedburgh or Melrose (are Scottish people immune to the wee beasties)? Then I bought a coconut milkshake at Caldwell’s ice cream shop. It was good, but not as good as Neville serves at Nardulli’s in Clapham. My sugar craving shows no signs of abating. Back to my hotel I looked to make serious progress on my blog.

Back at my hotel I largely failed blog wise and almost fell asleep. I decided to go and eat, mindful that tomorrow would be a long day and opted for Chinese food for a change. The food perked me up and progress I made. Now all I needed was a good nights sleep. There would be lots of walking tomorrow.

Day Summary

Flooded out. Distances all over the shop. A pleasant walk. A half day off.