Mount Keen

Max and Colin headed off to the most easterly munro. A fairly long drive that took us up the long scenic Glen Esk to the head of the Glen. A long walk in up Glen Mark with some stunning scenery with sheer vertical rock faces at the side of the valley. A long hard slog followed to the top of the hill to be rewarded by views of Lochnagar in the distance and the snow studded Cairngorms beyond. Total time to the top was 3 hrs followed by 2 1/2 hrs return.

Sammy is pictured - it's his first munro. Max had now done 12. Colin 27.

CATI Orienteering at Colinton Dell

Max and Colin went to the interlopers event at Colinton Dell. Results aren't in yet but early indications are that Colin came in third on the long course. Max was on poor form, missing his turning early on and then struggling in the heat.

Weekend Running

Colin ran in the Hunters Bog Trot at Arthurs Seat on Saturday at lunchtime coming in 51st. Max and Colin then headed off to Bonaly for some orienteering. Max whizzed around the orange course in just 23 minutes.

Hannah and Cherry went off to the Castle with Alexander.

Day 7 - Fenwick to Holy Island

After 6 days of fantastic weather we were hit with heavy sea fog on the last day. The visibility was down to a few hundred metres so rather than getting a great view of the island we had a long cold trudge along the causeway road into town. Arrived around 10.30, after 6 miles, and spent the rest of the day looking at the ruined priory and the castle.

It was a long and challenging walk but we both managed really well.

Day 6 - Wooler to Fenwick

Proved to be the toughest of the days. A long 11 mile slog but felt longer. For the first time we saw substantial numbers of people on the route. The trail has been almost deserted along the way apart from regular meetings with an Irish lady from County Clare called Anne Jones.

Colin is pictured at St Cuthbert's cave.

Day 5 - Kirk Yetholm to Wooler

The BIG ONE. A massive 16 mile stretch mainly over open moorlands with two ascents and a halfway point in the valley at Hethpool in between. Max did really well and we got into Wooler by around 3 pm.

Max and Colin pictured crossing the Border.

Day 4 - Morebattle to Kirk Yetholm

The fourth day was shorter but involved a climb to the highest point, and the halfway marker, of the walk. We completed the 6 miles quite quickly, and easily, and had a boring afternoon in Kirk Yetholm where there isn't a great deal to do ! B&B at Blunty's Mill wasn't great.

Day 3 - Ancrum to Morebattle

Day 3 was a further step up in length to 11 miles. There was a tough section in the middle of the walk as we struggled uphill at Coldhough Bank.

Day 2 - St Boswells to Ancrum

The second day was 8 miles in length and was generally pleasant low lying walks along the Tweed and then through Maxton on towards the Harestanes Centre. Completed the walk fairly quickly and met Hannah and Cherry at a nice garden centre and coffee shop.

St Cuthberts Way - Day 1

Max and Colin set out on the 100 km St Cuthberts Walk on Saturday morning in central Melrose. Hannah and Cherry walked the first day as well but did their own thing on the other days - meeting up some evenings and for 2 nights going down to Keilder Water.

The first days walk was relatively short - 6 miles - although involved a climb up to the col between the two largest Eildon Hills peaks. A lovely walk along the river tweed took us through to St Boswells. Total of 5 1/2 hours to make the trip.

New Lanark

On Wednesday we were at New Lanark. In the more we walked up the Falls of Clyde to see the Cora Linn waterfall and the Peregrine Falcon hide. We then did the tour of the mill before heading home.

Shambellie

On Tuesday we headed off the costume museum at Shambellie. From there we headed on to Dumfries and a visit to the Robert Burns Centre and then his house.

Rockcliffe

Went for a nice walk along the coast from the B&B at Rockcliffe to Kippford. Absolutely stunning weather and great views and sights. Enjoyed a coffee and ice cream at Kippford and good views from the Motte of Mark. The children enjoyed place on the rocks and later a short stop on the beach at Sandyhills. Went to dinner in the evening at the Anchor Inn in Kippford and almost had dinner out in the open air !

Drumlanrig Castle

Headed off on Sunday to Drumlanrig Castle and woods for the last SOSOL of the season. Hannah made a comeback and did very well coming 4th on the white course. Max did well on the orange coming 4th. Colin was on poor form after the exertions of the previous night and came in near last place on the brown.

The final league table in now out and Max has WON the Orange Course. Colin came 7th on the Brown.

Click here for League Table

The children enjoyed the adventure playground and the bird hide later in the afternoon.

Arrived at the Millbrae House B&B later in the day and enjoyed a nice tea at the Clonyard House Hotel.