A Right Royal Welcome..

As expected I had a leisurely start to the day, although unexpectedly it was bouncing down with rain, rather than the sunny periods I had been expecting. This didn’t initially make any difference to me, and having showered, got the Sunday paper, and packed Wally for the road, we were off to Earlston.

St Cuthbert’s Earlston was no more than an old hut, in what is probably quite a poor area, with a congregation only just getting into double figures. this didn’t detract, in fact it enhanced the feeling of community, who wondered who the ‘stranger’ was, but were welcoming and friendly. The church is served from Selkirk, and the priest in residence – visiting from Ghana for 2 years- was Fr Robert Afayori, a young priest with great enthusiasm, and who’s sermon put an entirely different slant on things, when compared to family life on the subsistence farms of Ghana.  He was delayed in getting to the church from Selkirk, by a vintage car rally, and when he arrived some 15 minutes late, his first thought was to explain the delay to everyone, with great humility, and cheerfulness, a wonderful example to all.

After mass I went outside to continued heavy rain, so, rather than going to Glentress I decided to go to Jedburgh, http://www.jedburgh.org.uk/index.htm  which was only 15 miles away, to see what was available, and my word, what an inspired choice… I arrived and parked on a large ‘free’ car park, next to toilets and the tourist information – I was also impressed by the sign declaring ‘Wi-Fi Free’, what a good idea. My good impression was re-inforced within the tourist information office, where the lady was extremely helpful, giving me MTB trail maps (and explaining the conditions- poor), town map – including ‘free attractions’, and also recommending me having a Scottish High Tea (main course, bread,tea/coffee,scones and cakes) at the ‘Carters Rest’ pub ,before stopping the night on the town car park ! – It was almost like being abroad the welcome was so pleasant, and it being raining again, I decided I may as well stay, and do as told !

It’s called JedBURGH, due to it’s Royal Charter, being similar to RoyalXXXX

I waited for the rain to stop , and when it did, went off on my tour of Jedburgh.. firstly sights of the ruined Jedburgh Abbey church,  a magnificent structure even now, and it’s not had a roof for several hundred years !

Then it was off across the town to the old Jedburgh prison, similar in looks to a castle, where an excellent exhibition  explained the workings of the old prison, which was a forerunner of many modern prisons.

Across town again to the ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ house, where she stayed when visiting the town , although I didn't have enough time to see all the exhibition as I had to get to the Carters Arms for…… Manchester United V Chelsea, at Old Trafford (that was handy wasn’t it ?), and in the Manchester Sunshine, whilst I languished in the Scottish rain….

I was able to watch an exciting game where United thrashed Chelsea 3-1, and then have my Scottish ‘High Tea’ !

A right Royal end to the day, before retiring to the town car park for the night, to record my adventures…and sleep soundly ( I hope !)

So, on to Glentress again tomorrow, up in the Forest…hopefully good weather.