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I was down in Peebles for a couple of days hoping to take on one of the circuits of Grahams and Donalds. However, it was just too hot and airless to take on such a day so instead I opted for a couple of hills that would give me a good walk without causing me to suffer too much from heat exhaustion and dehydration! I drove first to Traquair and parked in the SUW car park (signed) behind the community hall. It was already baking hot so I dumped virtually everything out of my sack except for fluids, sunscreen and sunhat. I set off up the clearly signposted SUW which made for very pleasant walking - indeed, the whole walk was signposted and very pleasant but the heat was oppressive and there was no breeze for relief, even at the summit.
- Minch Moor Ssummit
I headed off back down the same way as there was a bench near the Cheese Well where I could sit for a while to rest my hot feet.
- A view back to Innerleithen and the Tweed from the SUW
I had to be wary on my walk down the SUW because quite a few maniacal cyclists were hurtling down the path (despite the profusion of designated cycle trails) causing me to leap the side on several occasions. SUW walkers beware! Back at the car, I had a bite to eat, took on more fluids and decided to head back to Peebles for the short walk up Cademuir Hill. At least that would give me another view of the Tweed valley. I found the Cademuir carpark south of Peebles and headed up following the red markers which wound up through the forest on a good track. I enjoyed the shade but didn't like the many pesky flies. Soon the top came into view but it was not exactly a pleasant sight, given all the felled trees and stumps and other forestry 'rubbish' littering the place. There was even a picnic bench and seats which I must confess to using.
- The 'attractive' summit of Cademuir Hill
There were decent views over to Hundleshope Height and Stob Law - hills I had hoped to be up on - but as the afternoon sun beat down on me, I knew I had made a sensible decision.
- Hundelshope Heights and Stob Law from Cademuir Hill
It was a short drive back to my Peebles hotel where cold drinks and cool shower awaited. Sometimes it's just too hot for hills!