Wandering and Wondering: Day 38: St. Boswells to Harstanes

It was overcast when I woke up this morning and it stayed that way almost all day. Thankfully there was no rain.

A lovely breakfast at the hotel and then we were off after we picked up our packed lunches -- cheese, fruit and crackers. We didn't have lunch yesterday and that was a big mistake!

We passed by the fountain near the church which the book pointed out with the "off putting saying" -- okay, it was the words of Jesus -- very off putting guy.

And of course the church:

Soon after we started out we were 'diverted' due to a washed out section of the trail.

Initially we were both disappointed as this meant we wouldn't be walking along the Tweed and we wouldn't see a bridge we were looking forward to seeing -- Steve thought we should take the original route anyway -- I pushed for the diversion and I was glad I did -- it was beautiful!

I had the Beatles song going through my head -- Steve did too:

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping

While my guitar gently weeps

I look at the floor and I see it needs sweeping

Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know why nobody told you

How to unfold your love

I don't know how someone controlled you

They bought and sold you

I look at the world and I notice it's turning

While my guitar gently weeps

With every mistake we must surely be learning

Still my guitar gently weeps

Well...

I don't know how you were diverted

You were perverted too

I don't know how you were inverted

No one alerted you

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping

While my guitar gently weeps

Look at you all

Still my guitar gently weeps.

I thought about being pissed off at being diverted in past times in my life -- and in silent reflection while walking recalled how they had been great blessings.

I thought about convergence -- of how sometimes what we don't expect comes in a way that is such a blessing -- and then as I was thinking and praying about this we came upon this:

Hmmm. More to think and pray about -- and I did, and I will.

We met up with the 'undiverted' path --and we continued on . . .

The walk wasn't as muddy or as strenuous in terms of incline and descent -- although the unevenness of the path was wearing on us.

A highlight was passing by the only church dedicated to St. Cuthbert on the walk:

The biggest difference between yesterday and today was the amount of cold wind -- especially on the long stretches we were on through open fields -- BRRR! I was so grateful for my new hat, gloves and scarf -- I was toasty warm!

We had to cross many more -- umm -- I don't know what to call them -- pasture passers? Shepherd's steps? Cattleperson's crossing? At any rate, with short legs and a bad knee they (yes there was more than one!) were killer to clear the barbed wire:

Steve was hoping I would be as good as a sheep whisperer as I am a cow whisperer -- apparently I don't have that talent because while I did get a few pictures in two of the times I was close to them, the minute I opened my mouth and spoke to them they ran!

A highlight for me was walking along an old Roman road (a larger path now) that surely was known by Curhbert. I imagined as I walked along the number of monks -- including Cuthbert -- who walked and prayed along this path. The helmet is the indication of that road.

I very much appreciated this sign near the start of our entering the Roman road --

What am I supposed to be giving way to? Hmmm.

We continued to make our way along towards Hartanes. Not hurriedly, but taking our time. Couple rushed past us. Two hours later 3 men practically ran past us, lifting their heads to look for a way marker. I kept thinking to myself, 'this is so beautiful! Why aren't you slowing down to see it and breath it all in!' Uh -- wow -- that could be me.

More to think and pray about!

We did get to see Lady Lilliard's Stone:

We kept walking in silence.

We met an older gentleman and his daughter's dog (he was in charge of walks) named Molly. He was born and raised in Jedburgh where we are spending the night -- we were to be picked up at the Visitor's center in Hartanes -- he was so kind! We told him where we were staying -- he approved. He also offered to drive us over there.

We told him it wouldn't be necessary but thanked him all the same.

We finally made it to Harestanes and went to the visitor center where we got our books stamped and got something to drink. The woman at the desk called the B and B for us and the owner come and picked us up. Our room looks out onto Jedburgh Abbey -- our next stop.

It was an Augustinian Abbey: