When you are at Gretna Green you have got to have a photo outside the Blacksmith's shop - at least that was what I was told!
I just love that name!
The Thomas Carlyle statue in Ecclefechan - the only notable thing to come from the village.Another good day walking 16 miles from Gretna to Lockerbie again in the company of Graham and John. Although the road shadowed the A46(M) the whole way the scenery was very pleasant and the motorway was not too obtrusive - as it was yesterday. There was also a cycle lane for most of the way. This bodes well as the route for the next 3/4 days also runs parallel to the motorway. I hope to reach Beattock, or just a little further, tomorrow - having decided to delay my rest day until Sunday.
Graham walked with me for the fourth day running, clocking up a total of 66 miles. He is returning home tomorrow to have a rest. He is pleased that he currently holds the support walker long distance record. I think however that he realises that walking LEJOG is actually quite a challenge. John walked with me for the second day and said that he has enjoyed the walking and memories. He has now returned to his caravan in the Lake District for the rest of his holiday. Tomorrow will therefore feel a little strange when I set out on my own.
The weather today was good and I needed to use sun cream this afternoon for the first time for a week.
Although I love the name of Ecclefechan it is in fact a fairly run down place. It has had the heart ripped out of it by the motorway being built next to it which means that it no longer benefits from any through traffic. I was told that it once had 50 shops but there are know only a handful.
Whilst talking to the owner of last night's B&B I said that this must be the most popular time of year for LEJOG'ers. She confirmed that it was and said that she called it the "silly season"- I guess that this put me in my place!
The walk nearly came to an unexpected end tonight. Whilst having a shower I managed to knock the glass soap dish into the bath, where it shattered into pieces. Luckily I managed to suffer only a small nick on my foot - it could have been much worse.
The KBW's for today are:-
Graham - Long service and distance award.
John - Walking and best hat winner
Linda (John's wife) - Services to the retail sector in Carlisle and Gretna, and allowing John to walk with me.
Today's thought for the day is not the usual quote about walking. I thought that it would be appropriate to use a quote from Thomas Carlyle in celebration of my visit to his birthplace in Ecclefechan. As I am sure that you know he lived 1795-1881 and was a historian, essayist and thinker!
"A man without a goal is like a ship without a rudder." - Thomas Carlyle (from Ecclefechan)
Cheers
Keith
