The Tweed

Driving back from the royal opening of Abbotsford House today, I stopped at one of my favourite spots on the Tweed, by Yair Bridge. On one of the occasions I was canoeing down the Tweed, when I came to Yair Bridge, I stopped and got out to examine the rocks and rapids below the bridge, to try to judge whether I could get through, bearing in mind my then very elementary skills. What finally decided me to go for it was the thought that if I didn't do it on that first occasion, I probably never would. Not a great rationale for ensuring your safety, but I managed with only a few scrapes and bumps.

This shot is from the car park at the bridge.

As it was a day for celebrating Sir Walter Scott, himself a great fan of this great river, here is a verse from his poem "On Tweed River". You can decide for yourself whether this would encourage you to read more of his singular style.

Merrily swim we, the moon shines bright,
Downward we drift through shadow and light.
Under yon rock the eddies sleep,
Calm and silent, dark and deep.
The Kelpy has risen from the fathomless pool,
He hath lighted his candle of death and of dool:
Look, Father, look, and you'll laugh to see
How he gapes and he glares with his eyes on thee!



Nikon D800 + 24-85 zoom + ND filter + tripod