Day 1 Tuesday 22 July.
While we have close to 100% more confidence for the 2nd than the 1st trip we find we can remember most of what we need and yet we have to put on our thinking caps again.
We make things better in that we have a double duvet instead of a king-size duvet. What else? I wanted a more sturdy dustbin, but the one we took this time is too bulky and just got in the way and shouted "rubbish!" I forgot to put the scissors in but on our short trip it wasn't an issue. Planned to take a nail brush, forgot again. I think our toiletry boxes worked very well second time around - well, better in that we had the bulk of our travel bags out of them. Wet-wipes rule!!! This time we had a little rubbish bin in there, popped the used ones in there all the time.
We had very hot weather this time - and just to cool off with a few wet wipes was.....well, refreshing!
A late start, a longish pack and quite a job carrying our things down the steps. Gordon organised the inside of the Hammy, I tried to organise and pack upstairs. Next time: a lot of this could be done the evening/s before. And some could easily be done the day before: like making our bag and putting in some things.
Oh I don't think we will take a chair again...?
So back to this trip.
We are on the road by 1.15 and start off with a heavy but fortunately not a l ong-lived traffic jam: we couldn't recall planning this. Gordon hands us wicked Gypsy Cream biscuits to get the Gypsies in the the jam in the right frame of mind.
How strange to see people through the window, people in a cold country, usually in coats, in winter in scarves etc - but today in the blazing sun - in beach clothes! We put on FM Classic loudly FM 13h50. The fields are more gold in the sun!.
We've heard of St Abb's Head - today we see why people say: we went to St Abb's Head. A cute harbour, people sitting outside of the National Trust parking place - that charges £2 parking! Maybe that money goes towards maintaining an exquisite cliff walk among ripe corn onto cliffs, watching the huge gull chicks practise their flying between high cliffs. The black birds - which we should identify soon - plunging from a low rock into the water and afterwards sunning themselves.
Such high cliffs and no fencing off - parents shouting at kids to stay away. But it does give that natural feel. And yes, care is needed as there are numerous off the beaten path (National Trust maintained) right to the very edge of the cliff which is overhung by long grass: not the best to judge where the actual edge is.
The sky is blue!!! The corn is yellow!!. The highlight here is Gordon and my phonecall from where we could see each other: well all I could see was a dinky toy-sized white Hammy at the edge of the harbour and Gordon could see me through the binoculars and when I waved my hat - he said: you are waving your arms.
Yes we were wearing hats: At the Coldingham Priory we had no doubts that we should wear our hats.
The summer seeds of the Thistle sparkle in the sun - the Scots blue bell is finding shelter in the long grass.
Eyemouth harbour was fantastic - authentic, quietly busy. REAL fishermen - today only in the rubber overalls, no T-shirt underneath, working quickly. A 6-person rowing boat - lovely rythm of the long oars. Old rusted boats, harbour hotels - are there guests. This is not show-off this is all in real time, but also warped time. How old is this harbour? Hahahaha we drive right around the harbour, we drive on its walls - we have something to eat here - just parked right there with the 2 swan parents and their 7 cygnets snoozing on the dry part of the wide jetty..
Then to the beach - gold-pink sand, write everyone's name in the sane and take photos, a small group of learner snorklers. It's difficult for Gordon to walk down the steep hill to the beach, but he does so and we find a place in the sand - because the grass was quite prickly. So nice to take walking boots off and walk in the small waves. Mustn't get sand in our bed!
Our first sleep is where? Ha I've already forgotten! It was next to a noisy road but it didn't matter. We still feel disorganised. Main goal for now is to go to bed clean, no sand, fresh. How comfortable and soon we are fast asleep. Hot - but really nice that we can just open the Hammy door and the cool air floods in - WITHOUT midges!
Just us and the cornfield and the Deadly Nightshade!
Wednesday 23 July 2014
We are slightly worried that the farmer may want to harvest his ripe corn and we are blocking up the gate, so we left space for him and of course he could ask us to move - but no such thing materialised. Strange to wash and put moisturiser on right next to towering nightshade lit up by the morning light. It's overcast but no rain, more a case of mistiness. Oh the golden corn looks absolutely beautiful in this light!
To think the pharisees kicked up such a racket because 12 men picked barley, rubbed it between their fingers and ate it on a Sunday. We eat fruit and swish out our wiped-clean dishes. Wonderful to have the kettle this time!
In the woods.
Tuna, mayo, olives and we are off to see our first Abbey at Kelso - nice intro. Then to Dryburgh - we take our time here: read the boards, read Psalm 14 in the shade of the Abbey. What was the monk's prescribed reading? Psalm 14 tells us what a fool is: 1) aggressive ungodliness 2) not only outwardly but the fool is also the person who thinks in his heart there is no God. Actually he says this in his heart. His creed is "there is no God" and that drives his life: God doesn't exist, matter or count.
There are consequences of corruption including in influence and impact. We test our own hearts and we wonder if what some of these monks said in their hearts while they did their duties and kept the rules. Luther was not happy.
Also talked about those who prefer believing the world started spontaneously to having a Creator in their lives.
While we were there some were practising their singing.
On with Psalm 14 - God peers down and looks at people and His verdict is nobody seeks, desires, longs for and knows and enjoys God. There's no hunger and craving for God. Verse 3 - not even one.
What a morose assessment - it's God's assessment can we judge it? Paul picks up the crisis in Romans 3:9-20.
Every man is under the power of sin. This verdict is everyone's biography - even among the professing people of God.
Later we would read more about Ephesians illustrating this truth and once we are home again we would be astonished again.....that this verdict is in Isaiah 53 and that our iniquities were laid on the spotless innocent Lamb of God who fully pleased God and who is in perfect fellowship with His Father! Ephesians 2 also went on from the crisis to the "and so WERE some of you" Did the Abbotts and monks get the gospel?
How lovely to sit in the shadow of the Dryburgh Abbey on this very very hot day, to appreciate the slightest breeze, to see the gnats flying like maniacs in the sunlight and to face up to what we were and what we are now! And to be warned not to think we are exceptions.
From here on to the Wallace Monument and with a sweet French couple we cannot believe how HUGE it is!!
We eat flavoured Cous-cous and for a second time in a row - tuna. We are at the Scots outlook and can see far from here. Make food slowly and eat it on one of the benches - hot - no shade here. We have biscuits for dessert. The trees start to throw shadows on the green and gold fields.
Back to Psalm 14, read the paper and Gordon sees hunting birds in the distance. Ephesians 2:1-3 Dead in sins and trespasses - corpses - agreeing with the verdict in Psalm 14. Walking in lockstep under the authority of the ruler of the air - living in the lusts and desires of our old nature, our God-rejecting nature: governed by Satan and sin and damned. Ephesians 3b - we were by nature children of wrath.
Verse 6 - but God - rich in mercy - verse 5 made us alive together with Christ! 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Ephesians 2;3,12 - don't forget where we came from. Psalm 14:4-7.
Jets flying overhead at Kelso and Scots Outlook.
Suddenly the sound of the Piper up and behind us far from houses or village or town. No touristy touch: there is an undertaker with a box, a grieving widow, and a man supporting her. A bottle of whiskey and red roses. To the piper's haunting sound they come through the gate, and down the steep path to a spot in the rough shrub with the far far views which Scott loved. We with another couple and a small family were the onlookers - with great respect. The box was opened and the ashes scattered with three or big throws in the bright sunlight. We are forced to think of mortality and exalt in God who has overcome death and even though we die, we will live.
Then...to our great surprise the whiskey bottle is opened - 2 or so streams of whiskey over the spot the ashes were scattered and then the undertaker puts the bottle to his mouth and drinks, then the widow's turn and then the turn of the man (the son?) supporting the widow. Just a time of contemplation and with the bottle in hand and the widow helped up the steep uneven path and the piper playing again (beautifully) the small party return. We sit on our 3 benches quietly and trying to show the respect we feel. Back at the car the small party faces the piper who is still playing and then it is all over.
This has been our worst night ever to find a place to park. There is virtually no off-road car-sized spots. Eventually and quite late we find a spot with a fairly busy road between us and the entrance drive to a Church of Scotland, just before a small village. Again a busy road but again we go to sleep very well. At least tonight we only have to do our washing and Listerene and crawl in - food done at the Scotts outlook. We sleep very well and feel refreshed the next morning.
Thursday 24 July 2014
We find moving things around from where they were when we slept to the back so we can drive off, something we can do quite quickly. So quite soon we were on the road - often laced with deadly nightshade.
Our first stop in Howick - pronounced Hoik! We hope to surprise some of our Scottish friends with our new-found knowledge! It's a BIG town - the biggest in the Borders. At Morrisons at the just-cleaned rest-rooms we brush our teeth, get batteries for the one dead torch and replenish on food.
As we haven't had breakfast yet and as we haven't got a fridge and as it is a very very hot day....we just HAVE to eat our stick-ice-cream straight away and what a good combination with popcorn. I love packing the foodstuffs (like red chillies, cous-cous, tinned mackerel, apricots, meringue nests, strawberries and yogurts straight into our two food boxes. So we can see what is where at a glance.
On the road again: gold cornfields, the odd viaduct and quite a few quaint stone bridges - tree tunnels and open country side. Mmmmm in places tame in comparison to the Highlands. Sooooo nice to have the kettle for coffee and cous-cous and cuppa soup.
First to the Hermitage - South. There is not a shady spot to spot - but this was only a good thing, because we were in a way forced to cross the bridge with the beautifully sounding stream and walk up to the ticket office - what a blessing the Scottish Heritage Cards are!! The lady informs us we have about 30 minutes there then the castle door will be closed. Mmmmm this was a bit of a shady thing (the only shade we found!) because a little later there were a few more tourists and the opening times were moved on another hour. But we were walking around with this medley of fish in a rucksack and the heat forced us to move on.
Actually Hermitage Castle was impressive inside and we had enough time to walk in all the spaces and admire the high high walls and the colourful stones and the masonry and to learn a very little about all the wars in this border area.
Despite the river, virtually no shade - I think we eventually stopped somewhere and thoroughly enjoyed the healthy fish meal. We discovered again that there are very few stopping places in this area - mainly passing places which is a definitely no-no to stop. We HAVE to do something about the lovely fish medley, ready to eat, we got at Morrisons in Hoik.
Onto Jedburgh!
Jedburgh - what a jewel. On approach already it sits there in all its glory and with the sun out in full force - every bit of yellow in the stone is lifted out. Oh it is hot!
We hydrate and hydrate and walk in and out stunning Jedburgh Abbey ruins - what a delight! We spend a long time here: not hungry, not thirsty and the right time.
Back at the car - we walked down to the river -where children are playing in the water - and sat down in the SHADE next to bunches and bunches of Campions, There we took our time filling our meringue nests with yogurt and strawberries - enjoying the river and shade and reading Psalm 14: a question that searches us and a description that searches us.
Back at the car and in the far corner of the massive parking area we find shade under a tree and start the big plan: Is it worthwhile to sleep over another night only to see Melrose after we have seen 3 abbeys and a castle? Is it worthwhile meandering over to the West Coast? If we could take the car over to Arran - yes. But at £90? Nope. Are we ready to car-camp another night - yes more than one night. How far are we from Edinburgh? 32 miles!!!!! We can easily - God-willing - be home by 8 pm. Let's go home!
Unpacking: left our bed as is in the Hammy and a few other things which will not be a security problem. It's is quite a bit of PT to carry things up - well if we knew we would be home tonight we wouldn't have stocked up on food in Hoik! But there you are.
We thank the Lord for this short break: the sea, the corn, the abbeys, the castles and being able to open the Hammy door at night and let the cool night air flow in - the reminder of death, the sound of the piper and the small river and the frantic gull and the harbour. For togetherness, shade, fun food, hot weather, Psalm 14 and touches of history. For music and the ipod, the camera and the binoculars and for safety and a memory from which to learn and to enjoy.
