Having arrived in Kelso at the end of Anglo-Scottish Border Day 3, for Anglo-Scottish Border Day we would cycle over to Beal in Northumberland.

Before we left Kelso, however, there was some washing we needed to do! So, we made our way through the streets of Kelso and up to the Revolution Laundry washing machines on the edge of town.

While the laundry was churning away we dropped back into town for a cuppa while we waited.

Unfortunately, it now started to rain. However, we needed to move on.

So, continuing our journey we made our way through the country lanes and field of Northumberland.

At some point we also crossed back into England.

The Northumberland lanes might seem quiet now. However, this border has been the subject of intermittent battles over the centuries which have shaped the relationship between England and Scotland. One such important battle took place at Flodden Field on 9th September 1513 just outside Branxton. Here the Scottish army under King James IV fought the English army under the command of the Earl of Sussex. It was the site of the largest battle, in terms of troop numbers, ever fought between the two kingdoms.

This battle would see the halt of the Scottish armies invasion after their loss. King James IV of Scotland, was also one of the many casualties, the last British monarch to be killed in battle.

We left Branxton and cycled over to Etal.

At Etal, we enjoyed a fine late afternoon lunch at Lavender Tearooms at Etal. Andy and I had visited this cafe when on our St Cuthbert’s Way Coast-to-Coast cycle ride.

During our break, just when we thought the weather might be improving, the rain returned.

It meant a few more soggy miles of cycling when we got back on our bikes and continued our journey to our final destination of the day, Beal.

We would be staying at Lindisfarne Inn at Beal. The Inn is situated at the junction of the A1 and the road taking you down to the Holy Island causeway.

This had been a day of cycling affected by the poor weather conditions than perhaps we would have liked. Nonetheless, our 30 miles of cycling had still enabled us to pass some interesting sites.

Tomorrow will be our final day of cycling on this tour. We’ll finish at Berwick-upon-Tweed. Before that, however, we’ll be popping over to Holy Island.

You can view our Anglo-Scottish Border Day 4 route from Kelso to Beal below: