Day 64: Kirk Yetholm to Kelso

A rather not warm welcome to Scotland. It’s wet and it’s cold. I’ve had to take a detour today due to the weather, but I’m now all warm and dry in a hotel. 

• Date: 23 May 2024
• Start: Kirk Yetholm
• End: Kelso
• Miles: 9.3
• Total miles: 837.2
• Accommodation: The Central Guest House

I woke up this morning after a hefty sleep of about 10 hours. I definitely needed it. The weather forecast concerned me, so I made the decision to divert to Kelso instead of going to Jedburgh and booked into a hotel. This meant 5 miles less walking, but it was all along roads. 

Once I started walking, I knew I made the right decision. It was only a 3 hour walk, but I got absolutely soaked through. You could see the rivers bursting at the seams, water running down the roads, and the cows staring at me thinking why is he walking in this. 

A man even pulled over and offered me a lift to Kelso. While I tried to thank him and explain why I couldn’t take the lift as I must walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats, he was very persistent. I managed to convince him not to give me a lift, even though he told me he wouldn’t tell anyone if I had cheated! I’d never forgive myself if I had, even though I was drenched. 

I couldn’t take anymore photos as my phone was covered in water. The lenses were damp and I couldn’t even operate the phone because my hands were so saturated. 

Arriving in Kelso, I knew I’d made the right decision to check into a hotel. I even managed to check in when I arrived at half 12. 

I emptied my backpack which was soaking, even though it had a cover on it. Today was a day in which I was glad I bought dry bags to pack my stuff into inside my rucksack. 

I spent the afternoon watching TV in my room, going to the post office to send my Pennine Way guide book back to my mum (second class, she’s not worth first class), and to Co Op to grab food for the evening and for tomorrow. 

The hotel was in a very convenient location on the town square, with a Gregg’s opposite. Guess where I’m going for breakfast!

Even though I’ve walked a shorter distance today, it doesn’t affect my journey forward. The distance between Kelso and Melrose, where I’m going tomorrow, is the same as the distance from Jedburgh to Melrose. By walking all on roads today, I’ve saved myself 5 miles. It was well worth it. 

I’m also two thirds of the way through my walk today, so that’s lifted my spirits!