Day 3 - Melrose to Traquair

Day three was gruelling.  Due to one detour and one missed sign we walked about 31 km instead of 28, and it made a huge difference.  The last 5 km were mentally and physically challenging.  My respect for Scottish Hill Walkers grew even more today.  To anybody who thinks hill walking is easier than many of the walks we have back home, please reconsider.

At The Three Brethren

The weather was very muggy today which meant we went through a lot of water.  About half way through we only had 1.5 Liters left to get us the rest of the way and cook dinner.  For all the rain they supposedly get here, it is very difficult to find any of it right now!  After knocking on a few farm doors we decided to steal some from a garden hose.  Even so, we got to camp with only enough for one noodle pot and half a hot chocolate.  As we were getting close to the bothy (Google it) and we were struggling I imagined that there would be a group of people with a cooler full of icy pops and beer when we arrived.  No such luck.  However, some guardian angel left us two energy drinks and six cans of beer.  We shared one energy drink and I had a can of warm Carlsberg's.  Probably the best beer I've ever had!  Thank you hiking gods, and you can count on me paying it forward.

Wild Camp At Minch Moor Bothy (Since Demolished)

Aside from all of that, the walk was very beautiful once again.  Towns and rivers early, then hills and fields later.  We had one encounter with a group of cows that forced us to hop a stone wall and go around.  Why can't they just be like the sheep and leave us alone??

Tomorrow is slated to be 32 km but we have decided that a better idea would be to do the first half and then take a bus the rest of the way.  Call us soft, but we need some recoup time.  We are at a B & B tomorrow night so will be getting spoiled after three nights in the tent.  Also, we have both been fantasizing about ice cream so will hopefully find some in West Linton while we are there.

As always, thanks for reading, and all the good vibes.  We can feel it over here and it helps a lot!!