Melrose and Bowden

We are in Scotland for a week staying at Seton Sands, Longniddry, where we have a nicely appointed static caravan. Today we took a trip to Bowden, near Melrose, to visit Dawn's sister Jane and her husband David. 

We went into Melrose to have a walk around while Jane had a medical appointment and then lunch together at Abbey Fine Wines. Then in the afternoon, David and I did a short figure-of-eight walk from the centre of Bowden.

Here are some photos.

The Eildon Hills are just east of the town.

As you can see, it was a bit wet while we were there.

Dawn and I visited Priorwood Garden a lovely little oasis of flowers and an orchard area, right next to Melrose Abbey (pictured at the top of this post).

We came away with some apples and pears from here.

We met Jane and David here for lunch.

In the afternoon after the rain had stopped, David and I took a 2 mile walk from the centre of Bowden village.

This was our route.

We started at the Pant Well and headed east down the main street.

We descended to the burn and walked along a short stretch of St. Cuthberts Way with a detour to visit Bowden Kirk.

The church was open so we went in, but we couldn't find the light switch.

This is St. Andrew.

We came back to the Pant Well....

...then did another short loop around Bowden Common, climbing up towards Eildon Wester Hill.

There are plenty of sloes here. I wonder if  David will make some sloe gin?

It wasn't far but it was good to get some fresh air. We were then fed by David with a yummy hotpot before heading back to Seton Sands.

Thank-you Jane and David for the hospitality Come and visit us in Suffolk again soon.

You can see more of my photos here on Flickr.

Tomorrow: More travels around East Lothian with Kirsty and David.