Well we stayed at Gameshope bothy in the Scottish Borders so no bivi and no hammocks. Offroad the conditions were sketchy at best with a wet and muddy top surface over frozen ground beneath, add into that we had puddles that were just puddles but 50% of the time they were sheet ice with a layer of water on top so they just looked like puddles, both of us came off at one point or another. Within the first mile of offroad Mike picked up a thorn on his front wheel so we had to stop to swap the punctured tube, he's very good at fixing punctures though as the picture below demonstrates.
Mike fixing a puncture with his eyes closed .

2012_1215biviscotland0001 by youngray50, on Flickr
We followed the Southern Upland Way for a while before hitting the road which took us past St Mary's Loch and Megget reservoir. This turned out to be quit a long road climb in the dark before turning off onto a 2 mile long track to take us to the bothy. The track was pretty brocken/rocky/muddy and uphill to boot. As we were both tired it was a bit of a struggle but we eventually got there. Only thing we had to do now was cross a freezing cold fast running river that came over the wheel hubs at it's deepest. Both of us nearly went over as the water flow was so strong but managed not to.
Once in the bothy, which is a very nice well kept one, we got dry gear on, opened the whisky and cooked dinner, below is my effort.
Frozen chicken dinner from Iceland (£1.50) defrosted then heated by placing in a pour n store bag in boiling water. Squishy stuff in the middle is stuffing. Tasted just fine.

2012_1215biviscotland0003 by youngray50, on Flickr
This was followed by christmas pud and custard, yummy, I liked it a lot.

2012_1215biviscotland0004 by youngray50, on Flickr
Then we pulled crackers and continued drinking whisky, this is Mike in party mode.

2012_1215biviscotland0002 by youngray50, on Flickr
We both slept well and didn't get up till 8.30, Mike later admitted that the thought of having to recross the river kept him in his sleeping bag.
This is Gameshope bothy with us having recrossed, Mike's putting his shoes back on as we both chose not to spend the rest of the day in frozen soggy boots.

2012_1215biviscotland0007 by youngray50, on Flickr

2012_1215biviscotland0006 by youngray50, on Flickr
The descent down the rocky brocken track to the road was great, this was followed by a steep quarter mile road climb then a good long road descent. We had decided to go back via Gypsy glen rather than the higher route over Dollar Law. We had to struggle up a very steep fire break then bike hiked across some moorland to pick up the drovers road.
This is Birkscairn Hill, the high point of the route.

2012_1215biviscotland0011 by youngray50, on Flickr
View back from where we had been from Birkscairn.

2012_1215biviscotland0010 by youngray50, on Flickr
We were both pretty tired by now so took the descents back to Peebles at an easy pace as they were pretty slippery.
Due to the horse having stood on my foot a while ago, then getting flu, then having to decorate this was my first outing offroad on my new Charge Cooker and I just know that this is the start of a very long term and happy relationship.
Thanks for the company Mike, I had a great time.

Glad you got out for the Winter bivi/bothy,hammock gala.
Looks like you had a great time although I'd sack the chef.

Looks like a great trip Ray - nice bothy.
Don't know that area at all but looks properly remote :)
Little bit of hike-a-bile too for added fun.
Cheers

You Scot's know how to party. Christmas crackers and paper hats :)
Party in full swing by 9pm too. We were all tucked up by 8.45pm

Cracking trip and good company. Ray's dinner looked and smelled superb. And the Christmas crackers were a fine touch. The bothy was great. It even had Acme anti mouse climbing devices. The river crossing was tricky in the dark and just as cold in the daylight. Must remember warmer socks for next winter trip. I'll need to figure out how to post up some photos. There is even one of a member of the royal family.

Acme anti mouse climbing devices

What's one of those then? :?:

flatfishy wrote:

Acme anti mouse climbing devices

What's one of those then? :?:

Forgot to take a photo of them. They were devices place under shelves and around hooks to stop mice climbing into your food or clothes.

I'm intrigued now.

Acme anti mouse device's were made from the ceramic insulators found on electricity lines. Either hung from the ceiling with a hook below to hang bags of food from or mounted upside down on top of a table with a shelf on top on which to put food. The mice are unable to climb around the rounded slippery surface of the insulator :D .
Mike, to post pictures open a flickr account. Select a picture and click on share. Right click over the box that appears and select copy. In a seperate tab have the Bear Bones site open on the thread required and go to it. Right click again and select paste. Took me a while to get the hang of it but easy once you know how.

Ok, think i have got a photo. Here goes.

Ray in Party Mode

http://flic.kr/p/dBV9qU


http://flic.kr/p/dBV9Vu

Royalty at Gameshope.


http://flic.kr/p/dBPNUT

Journey's End



http://flic.kr/p/dBPMci

looks epic guys, sorry I just wasn't up to it :(

that burn is much bigger than I expected given it's been pretty dry lately!

restlessnative wrote:looks epic guys, sorry I just wasn't up to it :(

that burn is much bigger than I expected given it's been pretty dry lately!

Aye it felt like a river rather than a burn.
Cheers for the route suggestion restless. The bothy was great. Seasons greetings to you and see you in the New Year for a bivi trip.

Hi Restless, sorry you couldn't make it, a threesome would have been fun (no innuendo now you lot!).Next time maybe?
Mike, i've looked on "where's the path" for that fire break we wanted, it's quite a bit before where we turned up and does a big dog leg which is probably why we missed it and had to climb that "short but your so steep, I really, really hate you fire break".