Galashiels to Traquair

The "Pumas" are kids from primary 3 - 7 of St.Peter's school, Galashiels. Both boys and girls make up the teams. The players compete with other schools in the town and also the region through the "Mini-Maroons", associated to the famous Gala Rugby club at Netherdale, Galashiels.

A few dedicated parents give up a lot of their own time, for free, to coach the children on Saturday mornings and some weekday evenings. They also assist with transport, administration and fund raising through out the year. They deserve the support of us all.

One famous ex-St Peter's pupil and Puma player is Gregor Townsend of Borders and Scotland. Who knows, there may be a future Gregor come from the present Puma squad.

A sponsored walk took place to raise funds for the St. Peter's Pumas junior rugby team. The official walk was to take place on the 7th of June but some of us can't make it so we're going the Saturday before.

The walk is part of the Southern Upland way from Galashiels to Traquair, Innerleithen. A total distance of 15 miles.

If you would like to sponsor me in this endeavour then contact me at ford@fordrenton.com

Thanks to the crew of Bar Protector, SONSUB Aberdeen, E.R.S. in Rotterdam, and Saipem UK, in London, for their kind and generous donations

As I haven't walked any great distance for a number of years I thought it best to do a bit of training, and take a few pictures at the same time. The pictures can be viewed on the My Photographs page.

The training took the form of a number of walks, each increasing in distance and difficulty.

Walk 3 - 5.5 miles - Parsonage Road to Holly bush over Gala Hill and down by Boleside

Walk 4 - 4.1 miles - Yair Bridge to Parsonage road. Got chased by a cow on this walk and had to leap a barbed wire fence

Walk 5 - 7.5 miles - Bowden to Parsonage Road via Melrose and St. Cuthbert's way

The training must have helped but you'll notice in all the photos below that they are taken from the rear of the group. This morning I'm OK apart from stiff knees. I hope all the others are OK

(NB: be patient, they may take a little while to open if you don't have broadband connection)

The Start - The Traquair arms, Innerleithen	Morag Swinton takes orders for bacon rolls before setting off for the start	Looking down form Shaw hill towards Traquair
Looking up Shaw hill. This is from 300m, about 2/3rds of the way up to the Minch moor. This was a killer climb	We stop to investigate some coins, buried by a walker some time ago, for reasons unknown	Leader, Ewen Swinton, marshals the troops before Drumbetha Knowe
Walkerburn village viewed from Shaw Hill.	Crossing Minch Moor 520m. It felt more like 5200m, but what a relief to be on level ground	Ewen Swinton takes a break on Browne Knowe. 524m.
Me on Browne Knowe summit, proof I was there	Bad weather threatens over Lucken head. At this point I realised that I'd forgotten to leave food for the "wee folk" at the cheese well. My knees became sore from then on. Spooky	Looking North from Broomy Law, 478m
The village of Clovenfords basks in sunshine away in the distance form Broomy Law	Walking up again to the Three Brethren.	Looking East to the the Eildon hills above Melrose from the Three Brethren summit. 464m
Stopped for a break at the Three brethren cairns. this marks the spot where the old shires of Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles met	Last weeks downpour caused a flash flood at Yair bridge. This cottage was lucky not to be completely flattened.	Fairnilee farm. The weather held off until here where we experienced a prolonged rain shower. The rain was however quite welcome at this stage.
Up through the woods above Fairnilee farm	Nearly home. Galashiels can be seen in the distance	A well earned pint or two in the Salmon Inn, Galashiels

Both groups of walkers raised a total of :- (will appear below when all the money is collected)