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Walking Land's End to John o'Groats with Mark Moxon

Melrose to Peebles

Eerie trees on the way to Yair Forest
Eerie trees on the way to Yair Forest

I like the way Barry thinks, which is a good job because our paths keep on crossing. After initially meeting in Street and bumping into each other on the banks of the Severn near Bewdley, we didn't meet up again until Alston, when we happened to stay at the hostel at the same time. The following night we met up again, this time in the hostel in Greenhead, and a few days later we joined forces for a pint or two in Jedburgh, followed by another few beers last night in Melrose. Our paths have finally diverged, as from Edinburgh he's heading straight for Inverness while I turn west to catch the West Highland Way, but in the last couple of weeks he's not only been excellent evening company, he's been a mine of information.

The Three Bretheren
The Three Bretheren

Howling Wind

Minch Moor
Looking back over Minch Moor

As I said, I like the way Barry thinks, and I had cause to thank Barry on many an occasion today, because it would have been a completely miserable day with a full pack; in the event it was still a completely miserable day, but it didn't last half as long. The problem, as always, was the weather. Scattered heavy showers are never very much fun when you're outside, but guess what I had to cross today. Did you guess 'moor'? Then you guessed right.

Elibank and Traquair Forest
Elibank and Traquair Forest

Minch Moor

Descending from Elibank and Traquair Forest towards Traquair
Descending from Elibank and Traquair Forest towards Traquair

Ooh, here come the moors! All I have to do is tell you that the Way passes through some farmland and into Yair Forest, and then we're out into the heather for more of my favourite walking. Mmm, let's get stuck in.

Peebles
Peebles sits on the River Tweed