St Cuthbert Way Day 2, April 17, Monday
Start Abbotsford and across Tweed at Kingsknowes Hotel
Stop Melrose and then back across the river to Fauhope Country House
Miles walked: 6.4
After breakfast at the Kingsknowes we crossed the bridge near Abbotsford and walked along the Tweed on Border Abbey Way on a cold day with occasional light rain alternating with sun.
At Chain Bridge we saw cute horses, and turned towards the town of Melrose.
We took the audio tour at Melrose Abbey tour, spending hours exploring the ruins.
The abbey was founded by Cistertians, who followed the teaching of Benedict strictly. This included the type and manner of clothing allowed, though Benedict was from Italy and Scotland winters were much colder.
We got to climb a narrow spiral staircase and view the site from on high.
The Great Trench showed the engineering prowess of the monks.
A latrine was built over the trench, very sanitary for the times. Many artifacts have been recovered from the trench and collected in a nearby museum.
In town center we explored the Roman Heritage Museum .
Back across Chain Bridge, a long pedestrian suspension bridge spans the Tweed
Up to Fauhope Country House to clean up and leave our bags.
Back into town for dinner, extended to dessert to wait out sleet and rain. Then back across the bridge in a bitter cold head-wind to our rooms.
Good museum day! And we finally reached the beginning of Cuthbert’s Way at the abbey.