To the Borders today. No, not the bookstore but the border area with England. Heading south, we traveled into Sir Walter Scott country. On the way to our destination, we made two stops. Roslyn Chapel, I think it was mentioned in The Di Vinci Code, was first. The ancient chapel had a metal roof superstructure built over the entire building. Apparently, it was crumbling due to the constant wetness (Really?). For this visual abomination, the entry fee was $15 per person and not free on our $118 Heritage Pass so we passed. The second stop was to the oldest continually inhabited house in Scotland, Traquir House. It was not a wooden house with a thatched roof but rather a manor house of no small size.

Out in back was a huge hedge maze eight feet high and a quarter mile from start to the center requiring an hour and a half to complete (or so it says). Yes, Marian decided to enter into the abyss on her own. After only a few minutes, she was hopelessly ensnared. She would jump up with her hand in the air. We were in an elevated place and could just see a hand popping up and disappearing. This was the only way to attempt giving her directions. It was certainly the blind leading the blind. She got close to the start and I went in – very carefully. We met and got out.

Heading onward we attacked the abbeys of Dryburgh and Jedburgh only to find them already in ruins. Apparently, we missed the height of their influence by only about 500 years. Dryburgh Abbey was founded on a grant by “great-grandfather”, Hugh de Morville in the early 1100s. Both abbeys were spectacular and well worth the trip.

Allan drove the 90 minutes down there and I drove the 90 minutes back. My new “issue du jour” is with the speed cameras found throughout the UK. Ian told us he received a $90 “dunning” for being caught at 34 mph in a 30 mph area. The one and only nice part is that there is always a sign telling you that there is a camera area approaching – somewhere up ahead – or maybe not. I feel I am at a disadvantage since the locals know the exact location of where these cameras are. The speed of the flow of traffic is regulated by the local’s knowledge of the location these cameras. If no local is driving near me, I have to drive the speed limit or lower. This is not always my driving style. I have not seen every camera so am sure some of these “automated coppers” have nicked me. On a related subject, our full sized Czech-made Skoda station wagon with four people in it is getting over 45 mpg (imperial gallon) so about high 30s mpg American!

Lunch was at the Dryburgh Abbey Hotel where Alistair and Judy had their 40th Anniversary party several years ago. This is an old, elegant hotel adjacent to the Abbey’s ruins. Allan, Marian and I had smoked salmon sandwiches, with tea, of course. Ann had cheese and chutney. Marian and I have had this outstanding meal the last two lunches. Marian’s new passions are smoked salmon sandwiches and scones, scones, scones. There is no shortage of either in this country.

As we drove back into Stirling on the M9 motorway, the evening sunlight bathing the castle on the escarpment was brilliant. We drove around to find the perfect camera shot for Allan and his 400mm lens. Then we made it home for cheese, crackers and the ubiquitous whisky and wine followed by a well-deserved, welcoming bed. The weather today had been beautiful, dry and warm.