A 20+ strong group of Carnethies headed off to the Borders for a weekend at the very swish new Kalzie bunkhouse near Cadrona. Despite the forecast we enjoyed pretty decent weather, with an early start on Saturday meaning most of us got our hills in before the worst of Storm Kathleen.
On Friday evening some opted to go mountain biking at Glentress while most of us helped Lucy walk her dogs in Cadrona forest. This was followed by a hearty meal then much cross checking of maps and weather forecasts to plan the next day’s activities. Saturday saw various running groups setting off for the Glensax hills behind Cadrona, one group did the full Glensax horseshoe (apparently not as boggy as feared), one followed some of the two Breweries route and I took the run/walkers up to Birkscairn Hill via an “interesting” diversion due to a slight navigational hiccup, then down Gypsy Glen to the lovely Chocolate Cafe in Peebles before taking the cycle path back along a very full River Tweed. There were also hikers and mountain bikers out and about. I gather that there was a bit of tactical trespassing, in keeping with a proper Carnethy outing. We all returned to the Lodge muddy, windswept and happy to exchange stories and eat cake.
The cooks excelled themselves again on Saturday with another superb meal then on Sunday a group went mountain biking and most of the runners headed to Traquair for a blowy run up the Southern Upland Way via the Minch Moor. Excitement was provided by having to climb over lots of fallen trees, trying (and failing) to stay upright on some very muddy trails and a lovely flowing downhill mountain bike track.
Apologies for the whatsapp communication fails that saw Lucy get left behind on Saturday and Steph & Ken C suffer a similar fate on Sunday. Apart from that things seemed to go pretty smoothly and as far as I know we didn’t leave anyone stuck in a bog on a hillside somewhere. Thanks to everyone for mucking in with all the cooking, washing up etc and organising themselves into activity groups with minimal fuss, I am proud of you all!
Nicola Dunn