We weren’t doing a long distance trip this month so the bus load of 35 left at the later time of 10am. A last minute change of venue had to be made a Thirlestane Castle cancelled. Barbara persuaded the organiser at Mellerstain to let us visit on a day they would normally be closed.
Because Mellerstain is in the same area we stopped as planned at Carfraemill
for coffee and ‘the best scones ever!’. The girls there were friendly and
efficient so we kept to our time schedule.
On to Mellerstain with David, our driver, squeezing the bus through the
gate without a scratch on the bus. The two guides, Jill and Morag, welcomed us
and we split into two groups. One group visited the gardens for half an hour
before their tour.
We had been to Mellerstain in 2012 so many folk had never been before.
Even with a return visit we all found the house beautiful. Both guides are
knowledgeable and entertaining so our tour (an hour and a half) flew by. Some
people had difficulty with the stairs but braved them right to the top. It was
worth it.
At 2pm we travelled on to Kelso where we all spread out for a little
shopping or whatever!
We arrived at the Stair Arms Hotel in time to settle in a lovely dining
room before high tea was served at 5pm. The staff there were also friendly and
efficient. We enjoyed our meal and there was plenty laughter in the room.
Our drive back home was lovely because the weather was still good. We
did notice, however, that Edinburgh had been washed again while we had our
superb day out in the Borders.
