I'm taking the opportunity of some decent early spring weather to get out for a run before a national lock-down is ordered. I suppose riding about on a bike neither risks getting nor spreading the plague. I did take the precaution of wearing gloves while refuelling - the pumps must be pretty dodgy.
There are a number of roads that cross the Scotland/England border - 25, I think. Here I'm doing the crossings and seeing if there is anything interesting at or near them. I'm travelling west to east.
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| The first crossing is this bridge over the River Sark in Gretna. |
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| Due
to differences in the marriage laws between Scotland & England
Gretna is know for weddings. The Old Toll Bar has carried out 10,000
weddings since 1830. |
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| The border at the main west coast road - The M6. |
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| The SV on the old Plump Bridge at the border near Springfield. |
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| Old cast iron road sign |
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| The Debateable Lands are a strange part of British history. For 300 years there was a small area of land on the border ruled by neither Scotland or England. In the area (only 10 miles long by 4 miles wide) lawless families or Reivers raided both kingdoms. The situation ended in 1552 when the Lands were divided between Scotland & England. The division was marked with a low, wide earthworks called Scot's Dike. It is now this plantation of trees. |
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| St Andrew's church on the English side |
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| There is a very spindly bridge over the River Esk to the church. |
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| No crowds |
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| The bridge was built for access to the bridge from a nearby stately home. No plebs allowed! |
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| Kirkandrew Tower is a 16th century fortified house now a private residence. |
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