Queenshead Hotel Kelso

Arrive in Belford after a 5 hr car journey, including a beef baguette in a nice pub en-route. This is already sounding like "small earthquake in Uraguay - not many killed" Found the cottage and unloaded the car.Really nice place; Ric*********** stayed in the vilage in 1966; probably not much else happenned since then. Drove into Bamburgh and strolled along ...

... we went a walk with Emma along the cliff top , again the weather was being very kind to us. On Tuesday we went into Edinburgh and had a wander round the Edinburgh fringe up the Royal Mile, the Pleasance, back along Royal Mile and then down to the gardens it was a lovely day. We then droped Susan off at Marions before we drove back ...

Great day of cycling through the Scottish Boarders. Coasted through the beautiful Tweed Valley. But then the climb began around Selkirk. Several km’s leading up to the town, going straight up through the town, and for several km’s out of the town! By then we were at the highest point around and had wonderful 360degree ...

... we chose to only repair the 2 broken bags instead of 4 (until we can field test this to see what is better). It would be horrible to destroy 2 good bags without knowing it!<br><br>Brian also finally caved in and bought 2 new chains for our bikes (only at double the Canadian price). Stretched out very far from hauling so much weight, they were both starting to grind a bit when pedaled. Getting them both oiled and set we were ready to ...

... Didn't taste too bad though, I would eat it again if it was put in front of me... couldn't bring myself to have the black pudding though, been there done that, wasn't a fan. After breaky I walked back up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle. Made the effort to walk through all the nooks and crannies, but a bit annoyed I missed the torture museum bit. I watched the cannon go off at 1.00pm which you'll see the short video, and yeah. I liked the castle. The royal honours ...

... jeans, 2 fleece and my gloves. The wind is a wee bit chilly and now I'm wishing I would have brought a touque. Of course the locals are in t-shirts and cropped trousers while I, from cold Canada, am wearing my winter gear. Burrrr! Over the weekend I finally got my taste of a Scottish pub....and the whiskey (mom don't worry....it was just a sip)! It was one of my flatmates leaving due ...

... From wandering hippy to pin-striped suit in less than a year. All this selling out to the globalised corporate marketplace does mean I've earned a nice wedge to make settling in over here a lot easier. I cannot complain with the reception and start Europe has given me so far. Scotland itself has treated me very well with a wonderful new girlfriend called Karen, a lot of pleasant winter weather and some excellent golf - all keeping me close to capacity and as busy as ...

... tomorrow night to catch up as I haven't seen her in a while. Other than that and the other millions of little things to do not much else is going on. Quiet weekend at the hostel for my last one. Leaving on the 27th and really looking forward to it. Belgium especially, I think it will be so much fun. The hostel I am at for New Year's in Brugge is having a dinner and party on New Year's so those are my plans for the night. It's not quite Hogmanay but ...

... clan lives. I spent about a week and a half here soaking up the liquid sunshine and the actual sunshine. I was absolutely spoilt by my relatives during my stay in Kelso. I was driven all over the Scotish Borders to visit beautiful green rolling dotted with sheep. Did a few hikes in various locations in the Borders as well and was happy to have the sun stay out while we plodded along at a leisurely pace. Aaaah, I love bonnie Scotland.

... We weren't walking all the way back to Grassmarket. We cabbed it back and then had dinner at a nice little pub there on the square. Next it was back in the car and on a journey to find another pub. Diggers Pub is the common name for a pub known as the Athletic Arms. It's called that because in the folklore it was a stopping off point for gravediggers working at a nearby cemetery. It's also in a not-so-nice ...