HRP ... and beyond: Pennine Way 2024 - Day 19: Auchope Hut

Pennine Way 2024 - Day 19: Auchope Hut - Kirk Yetholm

Distance: 7.4 miles Total: 292.92 (Tracklog: 7.44) Steps: 18,222

Things seen: Free beer, and a certificate..

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I set off about 8.30am, with a better opinion of the Spine race and its volunteer helpers than I had before. Then one last challenge, climbing The Schil, followed by a gentle trundle down into Kirk Yetholm. My fourth Pennine Way was completed.

All the usual photos, including "winning" the Spine race, my fourth certificate and a free half of beer 🍺 ... followed by a free pint of lager, courtesy of my friend Wayne. Thank you, Wayne! I hope to reciprocate before too long...?

After a (frankly mediocre) lunch at the Border hotel, I decided to try to get to Berwick-upon-Tweed, as it seemed a more interesting place to spend time waiting for my trains tomorrow. The advertised bus to Kelso failed to appear, but I got talking to two cheerful men who were being picked up by their spouses. When their car arrived, they offered me a lift to Kelso which I gratefully accepted. In Kelso there was an hours wait for the bus to Berwick-upon-Tweed. When it came, another pleasant surprise. My bus pass, which does not work in Scotland, does work on this trip because Berwick is in England. So I got all the way for no cost.

I got a room at the very nice Castle Hotel, near the railway station, and settled down for the evening with a warm glow, a nice glass of wine, and a bad back...