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Set off from the parking in Manor Valley (
https://goo.gl/maps/KWypjJNY3MBsaStP9 - three to four cars max) at around 13:30 on Saturday, planning to do the horseshoe and possibly add on Cramalt Craig.
I was setting out a couple of hrs later than planned and as I started ascending I pondered skipping Black Law to ensure I had sufficient time to bag Cramalt Craig, but then changed my mind and went back on myself a bit to take in the view from Black Law, which I think was worth it.
The terrain is a mix of land rover/quad track, tussocks, and mossy bog (and dodging abandoned, rusting fencing wire). By the time I was near Greenside Law summit I was sure the Gore-Tex lining of my boots was giving up. Oh well. At least I was treated to a very large pool that had developed in one of the more substantial tracks that was full of spawn, and what must have been legged tadpoles jumping and splooshing about before becoming silent as I got closer. I hung about to see if they'd recommence their dance, but alas.
I plodded on, enjoying the views and relishing the solitude. Eventually I reached the crossroads on the Thief's Road where you can carry on straight, head south west to Cramalt Craig, or north east to Dollar Law. I decided I'd just bimble on to Dollar Law so I would have time to pitch, relax and enjoy the sunset (18:30ish this time of yr). The forecast was for a clear night so some star gazing was a potential option.
I got to the summit of Dollar Law with plenty of time to spare, slightly regretting not heading up Cramalt Craig, but pleased to find plenty of good camping potential by Dollar Law summit, and plenty of daylight to enjoy it. I pitched and headed to Cowie Cleuch to top up on water. Unfortunately, it was all dried up. I followed the line of the cleuch for a bit and then decided not to keep descending. I headed back to camp to check my reservoir/bladder and it was just shy of 1.5ltrs - more than enough to rehydrate something for tea, have a few sips, and have some water to walk off the hill in the morning.
The sunset was lovely and calming. After taking it in I settled in for tea and the wee 185ml bottle of Rioja I'd picked up from the Co-op in Jedburgh on the way up.
I flittered between being all cosy in the tent and pottering outside looking at the stars (sometimes due to leaving the tent for a pee), before I eventually drifted off, all wrapped up in my sleeping bag listening to the odd squall buffet the tent. I currently have three tents in circulation - a Nordisk Halland LW 2, an Alpkit Tarpstar 1, and a Vango Helium F10 UL1. I love each, but the Vango is the go to for colder camps, and it kept me nice and snug last night.
I woke to a still but claggy morning. By the time I'd packed most things away bar the tent, the clagg had lifted, the breeze was back, and the sunrise was in full swing.
Back to the car by 08:00 and back to Tyneside before 11:00.
