STRIDERS BIG ADVENTURE DIARY

Striders Diary - Wednesday 25 October 2006

Striders Big Adventure

Strider is on TV in the Scottish Borders, then visits a haunted castle.

Hello everyone
I am continuing my journey in Scotland. Today I headed south to the Borders region. I have had a brilliant day!

Broomlands Primary School, Kelso

I was up bright and early this morning to visit a school in Kelso called Broomlands Primary School. They were launching a park and stride scheme. This involves parents parking their cars at a local icerink, and then the children walking the last bit to school.

There were lots of children joining me for the walk - including many who said they don't usually walk to school, but now want to start!

The launch had been announced on the lcoal radio, and there were lots of photographers taking pictures for the local paper. Most excitingly of all, I was filmed for the TV news! I was interviewed all about my journey, along with some of the school's Junior Road Safety Officers.

It was very exciting, and I was quite nervous, but the cameraman was very nice and said we had all done very well.

Once the camera crew had gone, and we arrived at the school, I went around every class for a question and answer session.

Ancrum Primary School, Jedburgh

I then helped the pupils of Ancrum Primary School launch their school travel plan. The school had worked very hard on a travel display, showing lots of information about their school, and how they get there.

I had a good look at the display - it was very good. I then met with some of the pupils, their teachers, parents and a councillor. We chatted all about the travel plan.

One of the pupils told me that many of her classmates live a long way away in the country, so they have to catch a bus to school.

To make sure everyone could take part in Walk to School Month, we then decided to go for a walk around the village. It was brilliant fun - we were waving at all the people who lived in the village, and they all waved back.

Hermitage Castle, Roxburghshire

I then travelled to Hermitage Castle, one of the most haunted buildings in Scotland! The castle itself wasn't open, but it was a very imposing building to look at, even just from the outside.

The first castle was built in 1240, and it saw many battles because it was close to the Scotland/England border (the Scots and English would fight over who should rule Scotland).

One of the first people to own the castle was Lord Soulis, who apparently practised witchcraft, and was responsible for abducting children from the local villages with the help of a magical assistant called Robin Redcap.

Robin Redcap cast a spell so that the evil lord could only be captured by a rope made of sand. Normal ropes and chains fell off him. He tormented the locals so badly that they went to the king, who agreed he should be captured, but no-one knew how. They tried to make a chain of sand but it fell apart. Eventually a man called True Thomas made a chain which had sand inside the metal. They captured Lord Soulis and took him to a nearby stone circle where they boiled him alive in a cauldron of molten lead.

The castle is said to be haunted by the spirits of the evil lord's victims, and Robin Redcap is still supposed to live nearby...

I didn't see any ghosts (thank goodness!) but I didn't hang around long enough to see one - the place is too spooky and scary for me! See photo below

See where I have been

You can now follow my journey on a map. Check it out!

I can't continue my journey without your help - so keep walking!

On Wednesday, 450 Walks to School were recorded on my website. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on my way. Find out how to record your journeys to school, and keep me on my Big Adventure. Keep walking!