Kirk Yetholm, 4.9.2019
Erstaunlicherweise regnet es immer am letzten Tag meiner Weitwanderungen. Das war schon so in Venedig, am Mittelmeer (GR10), Offas Dyke, WHW und Hadrians Wall. Obwohl das Wetter heute größtenteils super war, goss es auch wieder Hunde und Katzen, als ich in Kirk Yetholm einlief. Als ob der Wandergott weint, weil ich mich von ihm verabschiede. Oder so.
Heute also: Ende Gelände. In Kirk Yetholm beginnt der Penine Way und da ich diesen etwas länger verfolgen werde, sollte man ihn auch als Gesamtpaket (im nächsten Jahr) starten.
Der heutige Tag bot nochmal alles auf, was Schottland zu bieten hat: Sonne, Wind und Regen, Schafe, Kühe, Fasane und einen Hasen, komische Pilze, beeindruckende Hügellandschaften, liebliche Flussauen, leuchtende Wälder, endlose Felder und natürlich eine Kirche und ne alte Burgruine.

I can't believe that this was already the last day of walking. After a formidable breakfast in my fancy hotel in Jedburgh I started the hike again in Harestanes.
St. Cuthbert's Way follows the banks of the River Teviot and eventually joins the old Roman road (Dere Street) again . It's quite amazing how straight this road is. Nowadays roads meander through the countryside, whereas the Romans just cut their path through everything.
After leaving the road, scenery was less spectacular with the path going mainly through fields and along streets. An interesting landmark are the ruins of Cessford Castle, once the stronghold of the Kers, one of the most powerful Clans in the 15th century.
After the village of Morebattle, where I got a coffee and a blessing in the church both, the weather and the trail improved.
Climbing via Grubbit Law along the ridge to Wideopen Hill ( with 400 m, the highest point on St. Cuthberts) gave magnificent views back across the Borders to the Eildon Hills.
Shorty afterwards I arrived already at Kirk Yetholm. Here, I am staying in a "Friend's of Nature" house, which is some sort of Youth hostel, but also offers single rooms. Simon, the guy responsible here is very nice and speakd really good German (which is very un typical, that's why I mention it).
Now I am sitting in the Pub, have a Lager and just finished a huge portion of fish and chips.
And this is the end of my journey ( for this year) .
Details and numbers will follow...