Starting
where we left off yesterday at Harestanes Visitors Centre we retrace our steps through
the local paths to regain St Cuthbert’s Way, soon dropping down to the banks of
River Teviot. Turning to the right for a few hundred yards we reach and cross
the picturesque Monteviot suspension footbridge, turning left again to return
down the opposite bank. Midstream are two pairs of swans, serenely stationary
in the current but presumably paddling like billy-oh underneath.
Soon
the Teviot’s junction with the Jedwater Stream is reached, with the route following
the smaller tributary upstream to steps that lead up to the A698 at the Jedfoot
Bridge. Over the main road the way continues along a track and soon we are
rising up another section of Dere Street, straight and steepish. Just before
the top of the hill the way goes left into trees following a delightful path,
gently downwards with impressive views across fields to the Waterloo Monument
in the distance.
Emerging
from the wood the way turns right along a minor road climbing up, then steeply
down, to a footbridge over Oxnam Water. Beyond here is the main climb of the
day; first diagonally up a field then, having levelled off, kicking steeply up
a straight tarmacked track. At the top of the track (attained some time later) the
path leads left into another wood, revealing a good place to stop for lunch.
We
pick a tree each, to sit with our backs against, and munch in quiet
contemplation, recovering from the not inconsiderable exertion of the ascent.
Resuming,
the wood is soon exited and we follow a road to the right before heading across
the fields from Brownrigg Farm. Wending our way between fields and trees we
rise up onto Cessford Moor, after a mile or two dropping down into Cessford
itself, comprising a few estate cottages, a red phone box, a small ruin, and a
grass verge. We sit gratefully on the verge and snack.
The
final stretch is along the minor road, past the ruined ‘castle’, up then down,
reaching after a mile or so the relatively main B6401 road. A right turn and
another half mile of road walking brings us into Morebattle, up the main street,
then downhill to our base at the Templehall Inn.
No
issues with closing time today – tea readily available to enjoy before a
delegation sets off to retrieve the car left at Harestanes several hours ago.
On their return, after a sprucing up, it was time for another fine meal and an
evening of self-congratulation on the two days’ efforts, with an evident determination
to carry on next autumn.
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