Monday July 10, 2017, 33 miles (53 km) – Total so far: 171 miles (275 km)

We phoned Melrose and found a bike shop that could sort out the problem, but before we could organise a taxi to take us there, but after our breakfast (priorities people, priorities) the local bike shop owner phoned, and said that he would happily open his bike shop today and could almost certainly sort out the problem. We were round there in a flash and met him at the door.

He poked and prodded the chain and pronounced that he thought the “quick-link” was for a 7-speed cassette and not the 10 speed we had. He put a new one on and sent us out for a test ride. After a mile of riding and no worrying click and jumps, we returned, gratefully paid the man, patted his puppy and left for our trip to Innerleithen.

The bike shop : Simon Porteous Cycles of Kelso – excellent service.

The riding was, for the most part, uneventful. It was a dull, coolish day and we arrived in Melrose for a late lunch and then progressed slowly further inland, climbing and decending steadily. Scotland is beautiful with meadows full of wild flowers and fields full of hairy cows., and of course …

It costs over £1000 a day to fish for salmon in the Tweed, but it is free to stand on a bridge and look for them – something we did with no success but plenty of pleasure.

This was the hilliest day so far, but nothing defeated us although we were very tired by the time we arrived. We got a little confused during the ride, and a passing cyclist stopped and was able to point out where we where on the map, we were only about 12 miles out !!

Our hosts are charming, have a lovely old collie dog and a perfect home. We are off for an Indian meal tonight and then, hopefully, a good sleep before our final cycling day tomorrow.

2400 ft climbed today !