A Ramble from Home...

Firstly my apologies to anyone who has commented on my scheduled blog postings over the last week. I've only just got around to moderating them.  I could tell a fib and say I haven’t had internet access since leaving GB last Tuesday morning. In fact I could have accessed it at some of the places we stayed and we got back home on Sunday night so I’ve had a couple of days to sign in to our new Broadband. But unpacking, washing clothes, looking at photos of Helen and Ian’s wedding to decide which to frame, and generally settling in has taken precedence until now.

Yesterday Partner-who-drinks-tea went back at work so I’ve decided it was time I checked in with the world.

We had a wonderful trip down from the Western Isles. Despite a calm crossing I really disliked the ferry crossing over to Ullapool but that’s more to do with my phobia about water than sea-sickness from which I don't usually suffer - though I do dislike the effect the motion has on my head.

We spent the Tuesday night in Ullapool and thoroughly enjoyed chatting to a seal that came into the harbour.

On Wednesday we drove along to Corrieshalloch Gorge where we tested Jo’s dislike of heights. Once I’d evened things up by doing that we had a most enjoyable drive stopping at Gairloch to enjoy a brief period of sunshine to walk along the loch side and beach comb.

We enjoyed ourselves rescuing poorly starfish and putting them in the softer wet sand where they could bury themselves again.

After a night at Spean Bridge we drove to Fort William and had a wander round the charity shops and gift shops.

Although it was cloudy and dull we thoroughly enjoyed another beachcomb along the shores of Loch Linnhe and then went wandering through the lanes at Barravullin to a farmer’s market where Jo was enchanted by a friendly Robin.

We finished the day at the Argyll Hotel in Inverary where we were also booked to stay the next night. Not a bad view to have from one’s bedroom window.

Haggis (for me) and Salmon (for Jo) were the choices from tonight’s menu.

A walk after dinner was most enjoyable.

On Friday we just wandered locally, viewing the outside of the castle and generally having an easy day. Scotland would not be Scotland without finding a piper somewhere!

Saturday dawned wet and misty and though it meant the tops were hidden it gave some wonderfully atmospheric views through the Rest and Be Thankful pass over to Loch Lomond. Jo drove us down to the Lake District where I navigated by forty year old memory to a remote farmhouse for our last night of freedom. A walk along a footpath tested Jo’s new wellies and allowed us to say hello to a couple of delightful ponies.

Dawn broke on Sunday with the most glorious sunshine and that accompanied us all the way home through Grasmere, Ambleside and as far as the Mersey Tunnel where the rain started. Unfortunately Jo ‘did her back in’ before we set out for the day and was in a lot of pain but it is beginning to ease a bit now.

Sadly, on Monday, Helen and Ian’s cat William died. He came to an end peacefully after having been in pain recently because his face was gradually getting more and more ravaged by illness. Helen and Ian will miss him a lot.

As for the future, as Spike Milligan said, “I don't have a plan, so nothing can go wrong!”

My Holiday Thank You

I can't believe I've been away from home since 1st May when Partner-who-loves-Tea first chauffeured me down to stay with Daughter-who-takes-Photos and Friend-who-loves-Otters.

Then Brother-who-Blogs took me from Devon all the way up the Isle of Lewis to stay with him.

Partner-who-loves-Tea has come up to Lewis this week and we leave the Island next Monday. It will be July 28th when I get home.

Three months away. Three months during which Partner had big health issues to cope with; the television packed up; the drains collapsed and various other crises occurred back home on Merseyside. I love the Isle of Lewis and I'm not anxious to go back but it will be good to see Son-who-watches-Films; the garden; my desktop computer; the pollution; the traffic; the weeding; the doctor; and all the bills that have come in..... Well, the first three of those!

I shall miss -
The people.
The sea.
The sky.
The flowers.
The insects.
The birds.
The boats.
And so much else that the Isle of Lewis has to offer.

So, a big thank you to all those who made me so welcome in Devon and then up here in the Outer Hebrides - especially, of course, my hosts: Helen and Ian and GB. I am pretty reclusive by nature. (Actually I'm not pretty at all - just reclusive.) When GB moved to the Western Isles 35 years ago I remember feeling horrified that people didn't have doorbells or knockers; neighbours or visitors just opened the door (never locked whether you were in or out) and called out ' Hello' as they came in. Nowadays doors are often locked when you go out but that is more to satisfy insurance companies than to actually prevent crime. In other respects the neighbourly system remains the same. Over the last couple of years I have not only grown used to it but actually find it enjoyable. The folk who drop in are friends and neighbours of GB's who I am now also pleased to call friends.

And, most important of all, an even bigger thank you to Jo for allowing me the freedom to play for three months. Despite working hard while I'm enjoying myself, Jo has been pleased on my behalf that I've had such a good break. It's quite a special thing to have a partner who lets you do these things; and it's even more special having one who does so uncomplainingly and with such fortitude and even takes you to and collects you from your destination; coping with all the issues that running a house, keeping down a job (or jobs!) and looking after a youngster involve. So a very big
THANK YOU, JO.