CTC Hut
07-08 October 2000

Present Saturday: James R, Calum M, Keith C, Tiana S, Richard G and Mark L
Present Sunday: James W and Gail W

Saturday

RAW it certainly was, but HIDE from the rain they could not! So saddling up at Richard's (in Buckstone) was Tiana, Keith, Mark and James. Mark and James left the herd to round up Calum in Roslyn. Richard moseyed on down to WET Linton while Tiana and Keith took a detour to Dawyck.

Six strangers rolled into the town, with a mean determined look in their eyes, they had been in the saddle all day and were now heading single-mindedly towards the nearest watering hole (The Greenmantle) to beat the best the town had to offer (Ennio Marricone's slow whistling could be heard coming from the bar) as the good the bad and the not so ugly if you please made their entrance as black silhouettes their steaming frames presented a menacing picture as they put their names down at the bar for a quick firing round of trivia questions which James met unflinchingly taking the pot of gold for his troubles.

Sunday

James W and Gail drove into town. The day was in stark contrast to the previous and the sun shone brightly. Richard chose to head back using the same route as he had come out on, somehow ending up in Achendinny - an interesting detour Richard! Meanwhile Tiana led the route over the much talked about Talla hill. OK yep it was steep but very short lived and well worth the view from the top. Wildlife that day was certainly wild we were almost taken off our bikes by a low flying buzzard (what an impressive sight) we spotted butterwort and hairbells still flowering despite it being very late autumn - even the Rowan trees were laden with berries. There was even the occasional heron doing a spot of Sunday fishing for the family. The viaduct was breathtaking with mountains rising steeply on either side with worn furrows where the water and time had left its indelible marks. The heather was differing shades of rusty reds and golden browns accented by the sun being low in the sky. Even the sheep joined in with their fleeces in differing shades of orange to pink (very odd indeed). The route was quiet and, apart from the occasional car, felt quite isolated and free. There were certain exposed areas on the route (at the top of the viaduct) but the wind was kind and the sun was warm.

James, Calum, Mark and Keith caught up with the group not far from the morning coffee stop, where James W and Gail stopped for lunch before heading back over Talla to see the sailing boats on the loch. The rest of the group thought it better to plough on to Innerleathen and over the Moorfoot hills, except for Keith and Tiana who took a 'short cut' which they had not done before - the lesson here is to perhaps stick to what you know because it ended up taking them further and further away from the ultimate destination in a strange circular route!?

Gail W