Cocktails and Rainbows - Day 22

Today was supposed to be partly cloudy but, alas, we woke up to typical Scottish overcast skies and it was dubious what the weather would be like for our trek up toward Selkirk.  But you can't let the weather stop you in Scotland and we headed off to visit Abbotsford near Melrose.

On the way and about 9 miles northeast of Moffat we drive along the 708 and pass Grey Mare's Tail a wonderful spot to hike.  It's straight up steep for about 45 minutes at a good pace and then you walk along another 30 minutes or so and you arrive at beautiful Loch Skene.  Sounds hard going up but with knees like mine....the trick is coming down!  With Gordon just having had knee surgery, this is not the trip for this hike.  But here's a picture from the road!

 And looking back down toward Moffat way.

VERY UNFORTUNATELY, after an hour and 15 minutes drive, Abbotsford is closed for much needed renovation beginning September 16!  We just missed it!  Gordon and I have been two times and loved it and really wanted Charil to have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Sir Walter Scott's home but it was not to be.  So we went to Melrose to have some lunch and visit the abbey there.

Gordon heading up the sidewalk.

And we ate Sunday roast at Burt's Hotel.

Our Sunday lunch was roast beef, Yorkshire Pudding, veggies and potatoes. Charli and I split a really good French Cabernet (Gordon was on drive home duty and had tea!) and the meal was completely delicious!  Then we walked over to Melrose Abbey.

In the distance - Melrose Abbey.

The cemetery at Melrose.

The Abbey.

 Various Chapel windows.

A carving of Jesus Christ  in the ceiling of the entry.

Charli looks dwarfed inside the Abbey.

Statues...

...and gargoyles.

The view from the back corner of the cemetery.

A statue of St. Peter.

A view from the bell tower.

Shit.....ran out of battery and definitely out of breath after climbing the 74 steps to meet Charli at the top!

The burial spot of Robert the Bruce's heart.

We spent a long time at the Abbey and hit a small shop too before heading back down the Selkirk Road and home between the off-and-on raindrops.  Oh well.

We are tired and lazy this evening upon arrival and just set in for our cocktail hour and leftovers.  While we wait for our leftovers to heat the rain starts again and the sun dips below the clouds producing a lovely rainbow.

A barely visible rainbow!

The Scottish sky.

While we watch The X Factor we contemplate Charli's last night in Moffat.  She has had a wonderful time with us and we with her.  She says she is not ready to go home.  Funny how many friends we have had visit say they feel like they've lived in Scotland in some other life.  Charli is no different.  She feels at home here and wants to linger.

We head to Edinburgh tomorrow and our next adventures!