As rain is forecast for the afternoon I had an earlier than usual
start. I was packed up and on my way by 6:45am and thankfully
yesterday's strong winds had subsided. It was overcast and gloomy as
I set off but on my way north towards Eddlestone the sky began to
clear with blue patches coming through. The climb to the summit was
very easy and once over the top I had a nice descent down into
Eddlestone with excellent views to the east. In the village I slowed
down to look in the garden of the bungalow where I'd stopped on my
last visit. The mine was still there in the garden. I stopped
briefly by the public phone box as nearby was a bin where I could
get rid of my rubbish. I wasn't looking forward to the next part of
my ride as it was north along the very busy A703. With my rear
lights on I rode as fast as I could until I reached the right turn
off at Waterheads.
I was extremely relieved to get there and then started the
steep climb up the winding road taking me up towards my next
objective. Once up the Climb the riding was delightful with hardly
any wind and excellent views of the mountains to the north west.
Although I'm heading for Penicuik I decided to make a detour to have
a look at a couple of reservoirs. I turned right along a minor road
which went past a line of pine trees with Gladhouse Reservoir
behind.
Gladhouse Reservoir
I continued to the east end of the reservoir where the road heads
north and out into open countryside. The whole place seemed deserted
and I had it to myself. I came to a terrace of old cottages which
seemed out of place in the middle of nowhere. I turn left down a
very narrow road which was little more than a track and continued to
the second and smaller Reservoir which is called Rosebery Reservoir.
The road goes over the dam at the northeast end and then climbs
steeply up and continues to re-join the B6372. I turn left and down
a steep descent then round a bend there was an equally steep climb
up the other side. Further on I turn right where the road becomes
the B637 continues as the B6372 I was then rewarded with more
excellent views of the distant mountains. The weather continued fine
and I couldn't see any sign of the heavy rain that yesterday's
forecast had mentioned.
I continued the long descent down into Penicuik where I turned right
on Bridge Street to cycle up the main road and to the Lidl
superstore. I stopped here to get water at 17p per 2lt, buying two
bottles and also 6 small iced cakes. These would be my lunch. I
returned the way I come but stopped briefly to have a look in the
graveyard of St Mungo's Parish Church. There was what looked like
the remains of a very old church and church tower which was
barriered off and not in a good state.
St Mungo's Church, Penicuik
St Mungo's
St Mungo's
I returned back through the town and down to the Valley Field Road
where the cycle track heads for the old railway which is now a
walkway and cycle route. At Waterloo Bank I turned left and cycled
up to the Waterloo Memorial to the Prisoners of War who had died
here in the 1814.
St Mungo's
Waterloo Prisoners Memorial
Valleyfield Mill from Uttershill, Penicuik (now a housing estate)
Papermakers
Eskbridge Railway Station (now demolished)
Along the old railway
Cycle track through the old railway tunnel
I returned to lower Valleyfield View Road and joined the cycle route
along the old railway. I continued along by the River North Esk and
reached the field where I camped last month. Then the weather than
deteriorated and snowed overnight meaning I couldn't continue my
planned route. Today was much better weather and I continued riding
on with the objective of finding a good camping spot.
Camp by the railway
I continued to a branch path turning off to the left and
wheeled my bike into a field which seemed a good spot to pitch.
There was a line of trees and bushes where I was able to find
shelter in case the sun came out. Parts of the morning had been
clear sunshine and that can make a tent to hot inside. It was still
early and I'd only covered 26 miles. Not long after getting the tent
up just before 12 mid day light rain started and was intermittent
through the afternoon. The forecast heavy rain didn't arrive.
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
