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There was heavy rain for most of the night. It started again
shortly before I started packing up camp but thankfully had
reduced to drizzle as I packed a very soggy tent away. I wheeled
by bike down through the grass to the path then the car park.
There were several parked camper vans and one had a tent awning
where a couple were eating their breakfast. There are two car
parks either side of the river. Both are pay and display and
neither had a rubbish bin. |
Borders summit |
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I set off up into the mist and drizzle to ride up to the summit
and Scottish Borders sign. I stopped to take a photo and noticed
someone had left their boots behind on the wall. The soles were
worn and someone had taken the laces. I had an easy descent
mostly freewheeling down to the Loch of the Lowes and Tibbie
Shiels Inn. I stopped by the cabin cafe which was closed. There
was a rubbish bin where I got rid of my rubbish. Nearby were
public toilets but the doors were locked and a device requiring
30p to get in. |
Forgotten boots |
Closed cafe near Tibbie Shiels |
30p to spend a penny |
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I continued by St Mary's Loch to the Cappercleuch left turn by
the AA Phone Box. I then started the climb up to the Megget
Reservoir dam. I called at the dam car park and an information
board saying it is the largest earth dam in Scotland. The
reservoir was opened in 1983 and the water heads for Edinburgh.
The road continues along the side of the reservoir and is far
from flat. |
Megget Reservoir Dam |
Megget summit |
Descending to Talla Reservoir |
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At the end of the reservoir another long climb started up to the
Megget summit. It was steep in places but I managed to ride it
the whole way. Over the top there is a gentle gradient down then
the final very steep section at the Talla Wall (steep road). I
took it very carefully so as not to over tax my brakes. At the
bottom I reached the Talla Reservoir and this time the road
follows the edge of the reservoir at a contestant level and is a
delight to ride on. At the dam at the NW end the road descends
diagonally along the dam face. It was interesting to see a
‘Beware of Adders’ sign. The reservoir was completed in 1905 and
had a railway built to supply the materials. The line was lifted
by 1912 |
The Crook Inn looking very depressing |
Crook Inn |
In happier times |
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I descended to the main road where the earlier quiet riding
ended and vehicle where whizzing along as I descended to the
Crook Inn. I stopped to look at the sad building standing empty
and smelling of decay. There have been several attempts to save
it but in my view it looks too far gone. |
Gate to the garden |
 |
The Albert Watson Memorial Hut - CTC Lothians and Borders
built in 1947.
The hut is in memory of the CTC Edinburgh
member Mr Watson, who was well known among Scottish cyclists as
a record-breaking tricycle and tandem tricycle rider and
contributor to the cycling press. |
Albert Watson Memorial Hut - CTC |
Approaching Broughton |
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I continued descending to the north to the outskirts of
Broughton, I turned right on to the B712 but soon left it by
turning left down a minor lane. It gave me a break from the
traffic as I cycled above the valley side on the other side. I
descended to re-join the busy B712. I didn't have many miles to
go but needed to find water somewhere as the Meldon Water
wouldn't be good. All the houses I passed seemed like nobody
home. In Stobo I stopped at the village hall but there was no
external tap. A short way on I saw a workshop open sigh by an
old school. |
The Old School is now a workshop |
The Old School Workshop |
Calling in for water at
Colin
Semple Furniture Design |
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I cycled round the back and found it was a joiner’s workshop
specialising in hand made furniture. The owner was
Colin
and as I filled my water bottles from his tap he made me a cup
of tea. He was a keen cyclist and we enjoyed a good chat before
I had to leave him to get on with his work.
I put my rear flashing lights on as
I continued to the busy A72. I was only on it a short way then
turned north up the minor road heading north in to the Meldon
Hills. |
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Shortly after a cottage on the right is a lay bye on the
left. This is where I needed to turn of across the grass down to
the river. Unfortunately I overshot and missed it but soon
realised my mistake and returned. My camp by the river is a site
I’ve used before. I'm so glad I got water as the river water was
very dirty. |
Meldon Hills camp |
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