THE SOUTHERN UPLAND WAY

Coast-to-Coast walk

212 miles

The Southern Upland Way is Britain's first official coast to coast long distance footpath. It is 212 miles long and runs from Portpatrick on the South-West coast of Scotland to Cockburnspath in the East. It works across the grain rather than following valleys or lines of least resistance so, although there is some level walking, there are also miles up and down hills.

Gavin and Brian have talked about this for some time and as the old man is not getting any younger and Gavin has finished his exams, we decided we best just get on and try and do it!

THE PLAN

Woke up this morning to a fantastic view see below. It's a pity the neighbours were so noisy. Maybe animals should get asbo's especially the squirrel that threw things at us from the tree above! Set of in good form only to hear another two claps of thunder and guess what? Soaked to the skin again! It's been a tough day hard going and sometimes monsoon like. Oh well at least Ultreia! We found one of the hoard coins. Stopped for the night at Beehive Bothy good night all.

DAY 4

Somewhere near Glen Trool to Dalry. Glad to be leaving midge city this morning. Having wore a midge suit half the night we now look like we have some kind of pox. There appeared a big yellow thing in the sky today not sure what it is but it's brought with it midges and team midge is now following us along the route. Another hard day mostly spent on forest roads that have just been re laid and I don't think they have been dressed yet very uneven and sore on the feet highest point Bargrennan at 550m. Struggling with blisters see below but don't look if sqeemish! Booked into a B&B for the night and had tea with Kate :-) thanxs for the drop of food new clothes etc. very very tired so off to bo bo's night all.

DAY 5

Dalry to Polskeoch Bothy
Over the hills a long stretch probably no phone or water hope to speak to you from the other side lol.
After a much needed rest in a proper bed and having had a shower we head up and out of Dalry on a misty morning pushing us into the hills compass out for first time. Not long until the sun broke through we now have some of the best views to date. Sitting on top of Culmark hill having lunch having just watched two fighter jets dog fighting on the hills around us amazing! Feet not great but much better than yesterday on the bloody forest roads.
Big thanks to everyone who has posted comments so far can't believe the Dfs show was canceled!
After a really hard climb over Benbrack at 580m we managed to reach Polskeoch bothy for the night think we're about half way to Sanquhar.

DAY 6

Polskeoch Bothy to Sanquhar.
Slept in this morning leaving the bothy about 11am we head for Sanquhar. Foot not good we are probably going to get it checked and have a rest before heading over the hills to Moffat. Not feeling too good was it the water?

DAY OFF

Due to illness day off. Thank god for Loperamide!
Well done Gavin for passing your exams.
Foot update see below

DAY 7

Another lovely morning we leave Sanquhar heading for Wanlockhead climbing Coghead at 440m. After Wanlockhead we are over the Lowther Hills heading into South Lanarkshire.
Chas has joined us for the day we are in need of some moral support. Lots of hills today climbing the Lowther Hill at 990m and with Chas pushing us on we make good time finishing in South Lanarkshire!

DAY 8

Today we are joined by Graeme and Dom again we are thankful for support. Heading from the Dalveen Pass in Lanark we head passed Daer Reservoir which supplies water to South Lanark. Today is overcast but good for walking. It's a pity I'm not feeling well enough to walk lol. Another hard day over hills and through Forrest stopping at Brattleburn Bothy for a break. We slowly limp into Beatock and have now passed the half way mark.

TO BE CONTINUED .....

After walking 115 miles we are having a well deserved rest!
Still feeling unwell and foot sore we have decided to postpone the second half of our walk until a later date.
We would like to thank everyone for their support.

Could we also say a big thank you to everyone who has donated to a very worthy cause where every penny counts.

We will leave you with a brilliant quote until the next time!

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

“Believe you can and you're halfway there.”

Unfortunately due to becoming quite unwell  with sickness from both ends!

Our plan has changed and we will now walk half in 2012 and half in 2013 but still over our target two weeks.

DAY 9 - SUNDAY 30/6/13

Beattock to Potburn
Arriving in Beattock on Sunday morning - it did not look promising. The weather did not let us down and after climbing out of Beattock into the hills the heavens opened . It felt like we had been have been here before as got soaked to the skin. Then it was onward and upwards. Due to being up high Ettrick Head 525m our visibility was poor. Met a mountain biker today who was doing 20 mile stretches over a period of time until he finishes the whole walk. Considering the difficulties we had walking in bits he's pretty game. Got our first coin and hit the Bothy at Over Phahope where we will stay the night and try and dry off. We're now out of Dumfries and Galloway and into the Scottish Borders. Night all!

DAY 10 MONDAY

Monday Left the bothy about 8:30 dried out but we are not dry for long most of today was spent in the hills highest today Pikestone Rigg 480m. The day consisted of poncho on poncho off poncho on poncho off as it was just one shower after another! Arrived at Tibbie Shiels on St Mary Loch at about 2:30 looking forward to a pint and a proper meal only to be told they don't Open till 6pm - oh well no time to wait - dry food again. After being followed by about 100+ ducks we decided to dig in for the night beside the river. What a glorious evening - bright sunshine so better make the most of it as we have been told that heavy rain is forecast for tmrw. Chas is meeting us tmrw and walking for a couple of days with us to Melrose so a word of warning -Chas after a week away in the sun u best wrap up lol. Night all.

DAY 11 TUESDAY

What a day from the minute we got up it rained. 
We met Chas at St Mary's loch - he must be mad. Come to think of it so must we be! We headed into the hills. What can I tell you about today ? We tabbed through the hills all day with driving rain highest point Brown Knowe at 523m. We should have done this in the summer - oh I forgot -it is summer. Felt more like October with the wind and rain. Did not see much today as our heads were down lol. Ultriea our second coin 4 to go! Managed to throw a tarp up in the forrest about 6pm where we had some shelter and grabbed something to eat. By this stage we were growling at each other but once our bellies were full we were up and off looking for a place to dig in for the night. We found a spot just above Fairnlilee Farm and our friendly farmer he said yes to us staying on his land so I am now lying In my hammock dreaming about tomorrow
Oh due to very wet feet the blisters are back!!!! Night all.

DAY 12 WEDNESDAY

Wednesday
Heading for Melrose and a well deserved B&B for the night. Considering that last night I slept well, every one else could not get any sleep for me snoring - allegedly! think they might have dreamt it. What a difference a day makes - much nicer with no rain! Slow going due to our feet being sore and more blisters. Met a lovely couple just above Galashiels they are from PortPatrick and are walking the opposite direction home . Wishing them all the best. After sharing some tips we're on our way. Chas is heading home and Kerry,Ali, and Julie are picking him up in Melrose so we all head out for a meal and a few pints after which Gav is already sleeping must be tired. Thanks for the support Chas. Well done Murray! Need to get the head down cause we plan an early start - Thanks Kerry for all your support fancy a Mc Flurry? Night All.

DAY 13 THURSDAY

After a great night in Melrose a lovely town and fantastic hospitality from The Dumferline B&B we are up and ready to go. We were told the Queen was at Abbotsford yesterday to wave at us as we passed - think I missed her AND a coin. Today we are heading across the hills to Lauder a short 10 mile walk with the highest hill Wood Head at only 303m. Although our feet are sore we make good progress as this is the best day for walking so far. Short burst of sun and a little breeze with only one shower it's just brill. After saving a lamb and watching a cow (Gavin does not like cows!) leap frog over a cattle grid - oh I wish Gav had got his camera out but he couldn't for laughing so much - we were looking down onto Lauder from the golf course. Now then - does Lauder have a pub ? it's only 3pm and that's us till tomorrow. No wait let's have a look at this map - mmm- if we skip a pint and tab on we could be at Longformascus before dark! It's only another 15miles!
Over the moor to Longformascus we head and what a hike it is. We still have to find a place to dig in and it's getting dark. With midge nets on we set up before boiling a brew starting to feel like were on ops. lol chas - bring 3 and 4 pence were going to a dance!
I'm starting to fade and so is the battery as the solar charger has broken so you might not see this until we're home.
Tomorrow we are going to try and finish with only 17.5 miles to go - we can almost see the sea.
I am so tired night all.

DAY 14 FRIDAY

Midges were not to bad last night once we got up into the wood just outside Longformascus or as the locals frae Lauder call it "God for sake us".
Struggled to get our tarps set up last night we were so tired but Gav's up first this morning he has a fire going in the honey pot for breakfast and is ready to go. 
We limp out through Longformascus waiting for our muscles to warm up and loosen off. Then it's through the fields to Abbey St Bathans only 7.5 miles.
After some lunch at Abbey St Bathans and being stung by a pay phone! We're off again over Quixwood moor at 234m and into Penmanshiel Wood where it feels like we are climbing forever then eventually it pops us out at the top and wow was it worth it!

LIST OF KIT

Go-light Jam Rucksack
Exped waterproof pack liner
DD Travel Hammock
DD tarp 3x3
Para Cord & Webbing
Storm Shield Mat
Microlite Sleeping Bag & Liner
Trekmate Seat Mat
Jetboil & x2 Gas Cartridges
Aquabourne Windup Charger/Radio
Freeloader & Supercharger
iPhone 4s & overboard cover
Mug
Folding Sink
Drinksafe Explorer Canteen 1ltr
1 ltr and 3ltr Water Bladders
Spare Clothes / Towel
Flip Flops
Dr Bronners Soap
Toothbrush
3 Bewell Base Camp Day Ration Packs
Walking Poles
Cashew Nuts

Snugpak Response-Pak
4 Carbiners & 4 Mini Carbiners
Binoculars
Waterproof Over-Trousers
Poncho
Folding shovel
Toilet Roll
Buff Headware
First Aid Kit
Compass
Swiss Army Knife
Fire Starter
Kendal Mint Cake
Maps

Additional vacuum pack with supplies were dropped off at three points along the way.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”