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I'm attempting to climb all 140 Donalds and Donald Tops in aid of charity. 'Donalds for Donald' is a personal challenge in memory of my late father, Donald, and in aid of Mesothelioma UK. After the walk in this report, my total is currently 120/140. I had hoped to get them all done by 15th November, dad's birthday, but weeks of being variously unwell or working every day had sabotaged the goal. I'll hopefully compleat them soon.Another very early start, but I left a dark Peebles with a spring in my step - today would hopefully be the day I compleated the Scottish Borders Donalds, leaving just one more substantial weekend expedition to compleat all 140 Donalds/Tops
I walked out to Haystoun, then followed the track all the way along past Upper Newby, where I clambered up the steep but short hillside to the site of the hill fort, after which I could see I could see I was in for a long but straightforward hike up to Hundleshope Heights. It was hard to stop myself pausing every two minutes to savour the sunrise, and the brilliant red sky was a sight to behold. From the trig on Hundleshope Heights, I followed the fence along towards Middle Hill, a straightforward wander punctuated only by the need to drop down across Door Hass and summit the shapely Stob Law with its excellent views. The wind was whipping up, and I foolishly removed a glove at one point only to lose my grip on it and waste a full 15 minutes running across boggy ground to retrieve it. I was grateful that the conditions were crisp and cold, as so much of the boggy ground was frozen solid. A strange landscape, but perfect conditions for walking on what would, in 'better' weather, be a nightmare.
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
After Glenrath Heights, I dropped down and across to White Cleuch Hill, and enjoyed an at times rough but scenic wander along to Black Law, before the easily-bagged tops Conscleuch Head and Deer Law. Dots joined! I turned back on myself and returned the
long way I had come, albeit contouring around slopes at times until taking a break near the mast before the pull up towards Dun Rig.
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Back on the Dun Rig horseshoe 'path' once again, it took longer than anticipated to reach the trig, but again I was grateful for the frozen bogs. I hadn't seen a soul all day, but now it was afternoon and I was on the more popular hills again, I met several other walkers, one or two tackling the horseshoe the 'correct' way, others simply having a short wander up to Dun Rig from Glenshiel. From Dun Rig I dropped to Stake law, before pulling straight up the fence line to the summit of Birkscairn Hill, where I stopped for a good chat with another walker. I was grateful of the rest, and my legs were feeling the strain now - I'd been walking all day with no more than about a 15 minute break. Good news though, that was the Border Donalds done. I'd liked to have followed the Cross Borders Drove Road and finished the horseshoe on pleasant little hills, but I took the easy way out and dropped into the glen before Yellow Mire, conscious of time and tired legs. It was no hardship walking along the track in beautiful Glensax, and eventually I ended-up where I had started in the dark earlier today, and trotted back down to Peebles to start the journey home. Weekend mission - accomplished.
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr
Walking in The Manor Hills (Part 2) by
Christopher Watson, on Flickr