Midlifekayak

Yesterday afternoon, mid point between Lamberton and a static caravan park, we reckon we crossed the border back into England.

We sang (badly) a couple of verses of Flower of Scotland to say goodbye and a couple of Land of Hope and Glory (even worse) to say hello.

We had landed in Scotland on the 1st of June. So 47 days to get round the 900 miles of mainland Scotland, although we lost 14 of those to strong winds. That’s more days off than we thought we would get for the whole expedition. But hey ho, the summer can only get better, can’t it?

After landing at our original planned destination of Berwick On Tweed we decided to push on to Holy Island. We thought that was just be a 2.5 hour short paddle but in the end it took 4. But we were rewarded for our efforts with a drop in the wind and an almost mystical misty scene with glassy water as we glided into Holy Island harbour, followed by a handful of curious seals.

Tents pitched by some huts made out of the upturned hulls of the old herring fleet – only then did it start to rain. However, now dark and wet, still one more thing to do before climbing into bed – a ‘posh wash’ (the water is warmed first on the stove) and some fresh clothes. Bliss.

Body a bit sore after the 40 mile paddle so it took a while to get comfy and drift off to sleep. But the Lagavulin helped.

So 1500 miles down, around 850 to go we think. And all down hill!