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.
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