Over the border......

 

Week 8

Week 8 and we've made it over the border into Scotland. It's strange the weird things that go through my mind every time I cross the Scottish-English border.

This time I was thinking about a song the "Corries" used to sing, now for those who don't know, Roy Williamson and Ronnie Brown, were the "Corries" and, in my opinion anyway, the best Scottish Folk duo ever. Sadly in 1990 Roy Williamson, passed away at the age of 54, due to a brain tumour. You may not know who he was, but you will certainly recognise, at least one of the songs he wrote, sung at all Scottish International events which is: "Flower of Scotland". 

However, as we crossed the border, I wasn't singing this song, oh no, no, no., no.... I was thinking about another song they used to sing about "The Portree Kid" or as some might know it: "The Teuchter that cam fae Skye". The last verse of the song, although the song refers to the border on the east coast, and despite us crossing the border on the west coast, I thought I would share the last verse with you:

They sing this song in Galashiels,
An up by Peterheid,
Way down o'er the border,
Across the Rio Tweed,
Of what became of Portree, Midnight and the Gambling Man,
They opened up a gift shop,
Selling fresh air in a can.

Do an internet search for, "The Portree Kid, it will make you smile for sure...........

Oh aye, we better mention our walking, Monday was a reasonably easy walk it started off dry, then fell away, causing us to suit up with the waterproofs. Thankfully we found a wee country church with a porch where we could shelter to eat, some of our packed lunch. Now if you are wondering, or, even if you're not, neither of us can remember what we had in it.  Although, I do remember eating a packet of rather nippy Sea-brook salt and vinegar crisps! Ah todays crisps are tomorrow's mouth ulcers.... lol.

Tuesday

Once again, we experienced the kindness of strangers, we had booked into a caravan site in Appleby and arranged to arrive early to enable us to catch the train back to Kirkby Stephen. The site was a bit away from the station and the owner, Val, very kindly offered to drop us off. Val did not charge the full amount for the first night and waived the fee for our second night.

Wednesday

Wednesday's walk was 22 miles, from Croft Ends Farm to Armathwaite, we returned to Appleby by train and, as is her usual Shona insisted, we go for a coffee, mine was an apple juice. When we were in the coffee shop we met a lovely lady called, Cecilia, she was interested in what we were doing, and we were able to share our story with her. Cecilia very kindly gave us a donation.

Thursday to Saturday 

Easy walking from Armathwaite through to Carlisle and up over the border to Gretna and Lockerbie. Thankful though that Sunday is our rest day, actually I'm really thankful, due to some issues with blisters "again". Although I think the slower pace suits Shona.

However, my reading on Saturday morning was taken from Matthew chapter 8 verse 24: Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. The lesson given is that believers in the Lord Jesus have not been given any promises that they will not meet with trials or be immune from difficult days.

Many believers have had to deal with far greater trials, than a simple blister. History is full of examples of believers in the midst of the work God has called them to. We need only to consider men like Eric Liddle, (remember Chariots of Fire) who, whilst doing the Lord's work, died of an undiagnosed brain tumour and malnourishment in a Japanese internment camp.

The Bible too, is full of examples of such trials, we need only consider the story of Job in the Old Testament, here was a man who had everything, was God fearing yet he suffered many, many trials. God however sustained him and Job, despite his wife, seeing her husband sitting in the dust scraping his sores silently, she blurts out, "do you still persist in your integrity? Curse God and die". 

Thank you again for reading our blog, and once again please feel free to visit and share the "Shona and Mike Take a Hike" fundraising page at:

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/shonaandmike-giving-page-2298439   

You can also visit our page using the QR Code below:






Comments

  1. Anonymous22 June 2024 at 12:42

    You are doing a marvelous job. X Susan x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous22 June 2024 at 12:56

    Well done. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous23 June 2024 at 01:55

    Great progress as always! Hope the promise of home comforts puts a spring in your step this week! Fiona & Donald

    ReplyDelete

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