I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the woods and remembering times from before in PA. I did miss the fall, the beauty, and the crisp air. Watching the dogs run around was very entertaining. I also forgot the kind of peace you have just being around the house and gardens. It was relaxing.
One thing I wanted to do was go to the thrift store, give away some of my clothes I was tired of wearing and get some longer sleeve shirts for layering. I was also in desperate need of a warmer hat. I also gave away my sling bag in exchange for a 1/2 price Rockland shoulder bag.
I learned that the army surplus store across the street has a museum in the basement. I enjoyed it as it was not just memorabilia from soldiers but also from home. He even had an air raid siren which I was allowed to try. It it to the right of the glass case in the second picture.
The Coldstream museum was small but had history of the conflicts between England and Scotland.
I also visited the Hirsel estate where there is a cafe and artisans with a variety of crafts such as pottery and glass making. They had informative displays about early life here. I took the poodle on a walk there to enjoy the swans, highland cows, and buy a souvenir (glass post earrings.)
Here are some views around Coldstream. Despite being a small town they have several restaurants and bars, and an Indian and Chinese restaurant .
The river Tweed flows between Scotland and England. The bridge is beautiful and to the left (Scottish side) is a house that the contractor of the bridge built with bridge funds. It caused quite an uproar but the governor declared that he was not paid enough to build the bridge and it was legal. The house was a toll house to collect monies for passage over the bridge. Later it became a marriage house as the waiting period in Scotland was much shorter than England. So couples would travel to this house to get married.
Standing on the border of England and Scotland over the river Tweed.
Landscape views around Coldstream.
One day I went into Berwick upon tweed for the day by bus.It is right along the North sea and walking the city walls was beautiful.
The building on the right was where ammunition and explosives were kept. It has reinforced walls in the building.
The border bridge.
I found a museum to photography. Some great pictures with history on photography and the area.
The castle ruins. These are the outbuildings and places for guards with a wall running up the hill towards the castle.
Before the sit, David (the home owner) took me around the area to show me things of interest. We stopped at Norham castle which is a 12th century fortress on the English side to protect against Scottish attacks. It was besieged 13 times and rebuilt in the 16th century to withstand artillery attack.
This area is where they kept the cannonballs which now adorn the outdoors of many houses.
Such a great quiet place to spend a week. I would definitely come back here and will miss the dogs!
