Anne has just arrived for coffee: she and Dot will go into the city in due course. (They did.) For a change it’s not raining at the moment, but more is forecast before we get some settled, dry weather next week. I hope.

Yesterday it rained a lot, but we made it to the cinema to see Official Secrets, about a GCHQ employee who revealed the secret pressure exerted by the US to force a war with Iraq, and the lies told by Bush, Blair and others. Very well done. The GCHQ woman was charged, but I can’t tell you what happened because it would be a spoiler, despite the fact that it’s a true story and everyone should remember. Oddly, no-one does.

The previous day I went to Sillars orchestra practice again and spent an hour and a half in the Farmhouse pub with Neville, who is making very good progress. Turns out he was a pretty big wheel at Aviva, travelling the world, but he is very straightforward about it – plays it down if anything.

On Tuesday we had the first Cake and Compline for some time. The Archers gave us a lift to Judy’s, and we had the usual pleasant evening. Vicky and Carrie both made it, which is unusual. It’s been quite a quiet week for me – I did go into the city on Wednesday to buy some acidophilus; it was a sunny for a while, and I walked round the Cloisters on the way back, but was pretty tired afterwards.

Dot had a massage from Verena on Monday. My arm has been gradually improving. There is still some swelling around the wrist, but nearly everything is functioning properly.

Paston has been quiet. They had the Yarmouth symposium last Saturday, but I didn’t go and heard nothing about it. Sunday, of course was Amy’s 15th birthday, and we had a chat with her on Facetime after church, but she wasn’t feeling very well.

In the afternoon we went to Blofield Church for a concert by St Gregory’s Orchestra, conducted by Martin Wyatt and including Vicky Ellis on flute. Angela, Rodney, Andy and Donna were there and saved Dot and me a seat on the front row! I enjoyed a close-up of the violins, though the feeling may not have been reciprocated. Excellent concert, including much Tchaikovsky. Chatted to Martin about A, who had been disruptive again at church, and to David and Barbara Pilch about Paston events at Blofield, and exactly what was wrong with my arm (David is a GP). All good.

Had a message this morning to say that my uncle Paul had died in the early hours. He was 96 and the last surviving Lenton of his generation. For the last few years he had been living in a care home at Horsford and had a kind of dementia. I visited him last Christmas, and we talked a bit about when we used to play football together.

Mark (his youngest son) sent the message, and I spread the word by sending a text to my cousin Jonathan and an e-mail to Ann in Liverpool. I then rang Barbara but found that she and Roy had been living separately for the last three months; so I spoke to Roy, then rang Barbara In Cromer.

On Monday we went to a science/faith lecture by Prof Mike Hulme at the Cathedral on the subject of climate change. Mildly interesting, but precautions were taken to prevent any meaningful discussion; so I guess his “deny-them-oxygen” attitude hasn’t changed. Interesting phrase (he did use it, but only in the questions section).

It’s been pretty wet all week. On Tuesday we called in to see Maryta on her birthday and to eat a bit of cake. We arrived shortly before them (they’d been out to lunch) and when they did arrive Maryta wanted to leave immediately for St Benet’s Abbey. We declined this option, but the offer was repeated after the tea and cake. We declined again.

The next day I went with Dot to orchestra so that I could spend time with Neville Thrower in the nearby pub. He had been having problems following his therapy for prostate cancer and had seemed to contract a kind of epilepsy, which meant he couldn’t be left alone (his wife Mary was playing clarinet with the orchestra). However, he had recovered well following an adjustment of his medication, and he seemed fine. We had a good talk, and I managed to carry two glasses of drink from the counter across to our table, only realising halfway that I was using my left hand. I didn’t spill much.

The next day it rained again, but I took advantage of a dry period to walk to the Norfolk Record Office for a volunteers’ session on data manipulation on the Paston website. There were only two volunteers there –Sue from Mundesley and Nick from Norwich – but Peter and Gary Tuson were there with data genius David Viner. I actually understood quite a bit of it. Dot picked me up at 6.30, and we had a quick beans on toast before proceeding to St Luke’s for the book club with Carrie, which was not quite as good as last week, but OK.

Yesterday we had our hair cut and then went to Morrison’s. I put the shopping away while Dot went to pay a cheque in in the city (plus one or two other things). On her way back she got drenched in a thunderstorm downpour between the bus stop on Thorpe Road and our front door.

Still raining. Pretty miserable month weatherwise so far. Couldn’t sleep last night; so I’m feeling a bit under the weather today. On the plus side, spoke to both David and Amy on FaceTime yesterday, and got an e-mail from Oliver to say he’d been driving between Aylesbury and Caddington; so he’s getting some good practice in. David’s apartment is beginning to look good.

In the past week Dot has been to the dentist to get some chips on her teeth dealt with at some exorbitant price (about £250). However we’ve paid for her new computer without breaking into her ISA; so that’s good. I think I could probably drive now, but we’re managing Ok with just the MX5 at the moment; so I’m in no great hurry to buy a new car. Checked with Swinton’s to see if I had to declare my three points, but apparently I don’t until I renew. So that’s good too.

On Wednesday last week we went up to Jarrolds for the launch of Keith Skipper’s new book and new publishing company – The Norfolk Almanac and Harnser Press. Two very funny speeches – one by Keith and the other by Richard Batson. Sat with Robin and Shelagh and said hello to Adrian Bell of Mousehold Press and to Terry Reeve, the sage of Bungay. Apparently Angela Kennedy was there, but I didn’t see her. Don’t know how I managed that, because I know her very well. Dot skipped off after Keith’e speech to go to orchestra (we had parked in Colegate).

The next day the weather wasn’t too bad; so we drove to North Walsham to put flowers in the cemetery – hadn’t been for some time. Afterwards decided to call in on the Knees. Just Penny at first, but Rob turned up later – he’d been to Norwich! Again, hadn’t seen them for some time; so it was nice to have a chat and catch up with the latest on the Footprints project. (Matt has resigned but doesn’t go till the end of the year.) Picked up my regular pills on the way home. Still taking the occasional paracetamol for my arm, but codeine only very rarely.

Paul came round on Friday afternoon for tea and cake. Nice to see him on his own and with no shouting. On Saturday Dot and I walked to the shops. Loads of traffic around. Yesterday drove to church for Holy Communion. Really good sermon from Sarah, but she seemed a bit down.

Bit drier today after a very, very wet Sunday, with continuous rain nearly all day and lots of flooding in and around Norwich. We got to church all right, though – which is just as well, as I was leading the service. Quite a small congregation, boosted by a couple of visitors, who apparently were impressed by the way we handled a pretty disruptive A, who arrived late and tried to make himself the centre of attention even more than usual. Not sure what was wrong with him.

Dot and I declined an invitation from Debbie to go with her to North Norfolk in the afternoon to hear some talks on Israel – partly because of the weather and partly because we were tired after a busy day on Saturday. I had walked with Dot to Carrow Road – where I had a brief encounter with former colleague Trevor Burton – then later up to St Andrew’s Hall, where we heard the Mozart Orchestra play some very good Smetana, some rather ordinary Ravel and some scintillating Rimsky-Korsakov (Scheherazade). Brilliant violin from Fiona Hutchins.

Ran into a number of friends at the concert – most interestingly former colleague Annie Ogden, who had broken her wrist in August while on holiday in the Orkneys!! Amazing coincidence, especially as she did it in Pierowall on Westray, which was one of our favourite places. What is it about the Orkneys and broken bones?

While on the subject of broken bones, I should mention that my plaster came off on Wednesday, which was a tremendous relief. However, having a former plaster is no fun either. Though my arm is getting more mobile, it is still swollen and very sore (especially around the wrist), and the skin continues to be itchy. Still, at least I can get at it. The doctor seemed very smug that his no-operation policy had (apparently) been successful.

While I was having my plaster off Dot was spending 25 minutes parking the car, which meant she lost track of me, but I found her when I emerged from x-ray – where there had been long queues – to see her sitting in the main orthopaedics area with Mary and Neville Thrower. Neville has been in a bad way recently with prostate cancer and complications which mean he can’t be left on his own.

In the evening Dot dropped me at the Adam and Eve, where Peter Sargent was having a reading of his new book with Paul Dickson. Not many people there, but it was great to see Rita, the licensee, who used to run the ECN social club. She seemed very pleased to see me. Not sure why. Also had a good chat with Milton Lindsay, a former weeklies sub-editor, and with Pete himself.

On Thursday evening Dot and I decided to stir ourselves and went to the book club session being started by Carrie at St Luke’s. I had no high hopes, but it turned out to be very good. Also present: Sarah, Harriet, Judy, Nicky… The book was by Brian McLaren.

Had to get up early this morning because we had the stair carpet cleaned at 9am. Haven’t been upstairs since.

And so we edge hesitantly into October. It’s still reasonably warm, but we’ve had large amounts of rain in the last few days, some of it very heavy. This morning I just got back from the Archant coffee morning as it started again. Dot stayed in the city to lunch with Sue and Helen, and needed her umbrella on the way home.

Robin and Shelagh are in the Brecon Beacons, but we got over that. My plaster cast is still a conversation piece. I hate it. I would burn it if I were not in it. Too heavy, too itchy.

We got a “get well” card today from Amy and Oliver, depicting a snail, which is roughly how I feel. Very nice of them, though. Dot actually went to Lionwood surgery this afternoon and got a clean bill of health on her ribs/lungs. She may have a fungus under her toenail, but apparently it’s not serious and nothing to do with diabetes, which is what she was worried about.

I’ve finished Dark Fire, which is an excellent, compelling book. We’ve started watching Unbelievable on Netflix, which is also very high quality.

Dot went to orchestra last Wednesday and got on pretty well, though she had to take a break in the middle. The next day Phil and Caren Gazley brought us a meal, which they cooked here and ate with us. They also left one for the following day. Very kind people, and nice food too.

I saw Phil again the next day (after we’d had our hair cut), when he explained his vision about training teams of volunteers in the community. He wants me to edit the training manual. I have curiously mixed feelings about it: basically it’s a really good idea, but the mechanics are a bit off-putting, though that may be just me. It could certainly be useful these days, when professional social workers are so thin on the ground. It probably needs an app.

Continuing our Gazley connection, we met the in the city on Saturday to go to a couple of art shows – one in the undercroft and one in the Theatre Royal. The latter (photography) was particularly good. We tried to get in the Assembly House for lunch, but it was full; so we ate at M&S. Afterwards we got rid of our non-legal-tender £10 note and paid in a cheque (road tax refund) at the bank, then picked up my bent glasses from Boots, who had miraculously straightened them. I had laid on them on the bed while trying to put my trousers on.

Sunday was the big day, though it rained again. We had a joint service at St Luke’s, at which I was commissioned as an authorised worship assistant, which is only 39 steps below Bishop. This legitimised what i had been doing for about a quarter of a century; so that’s all right. Ten others were similarly commissioned by the Dean, who did a great job. All being well, we shall be going to Israel with her. It was a really nice occasion.

Some very heavy rain in the last couple of days, most recently when we were in the cinema early this afternoon watching Mrs Lowry and Son, which is an excellent film. Not much happens, but Timothy Spall acts brilliantly as always. I was on the verge of not going because I had two bad nights, with head and stomach problems, but I think it may be a result of coming off codeine after a month. Anyway, I was OK in the cinema. On our way out, a man warned us not to watch Ad Astra. I think he’d just walked out of it.

My hospital appointment has been postponed for a week, which is a bit annoying. Most of the insurance stuff has either been sorted out or I can’t do anything else. Obviously we’ll need a car at some point, but not while I can’t drive.

On Saturday I went to a book launch at Jarrolds for Pete Sargent’s Anglian Annals. Paul Dickson was the publisher, and I was delighted to come across several former colleagues, including Annette Hudson, Emma Outten, Neil Haverson, Pete Kelley and Viv Thomas, a former weekly sub. Afterwards Dot picked me up in the MX5 and we drove to Bowthorpe Ruins (next to the church), where Lucy had organised a PHS event. I was a lovely warm day, and we had cake and plums with Lucy before calling at her house to try to see Naomi, but she wasn’t well enough to entertain.

In between Jarrolds and Bowthorpe, while waiting for Dot I was accosted by Peter Bussey on Exchange Street, and we had quite a long chat. Apparently he has had scabies.

On Sunday after church Dot and I drove to Hellesdon, where we had trouble at first finding the venue for another open-air performance, close to the former Hellesdon station on Marriott’s Way. This was to celebrate the railway in Norfolk and was exceptionally good, with Matt Williams playing the central role of the stationmaster, Carrie in a pivotal role and Charlie Caine holding it all together, as keyboard player, conductor, actor and prompter. Some really good acting, an excellent script and appealing music. We sat next to Judy, who we didn’t know would be there.

The next day we went to the garage to let them know our car no longer existed, and ticked off a few other things. I was getting pretty tense toward the end of the afternoon when Carrie turned up unexpectedly to borrow some pills. She also calmed me down a bit. Later I played what may be my last competitive game of chess when I lost to a youngish player called Biran Shah in the club knockout tournament. I lost track of the game when I suddenly had diarrhoea, and after that played very badly.

Yesterday I stayed in bed until quite late, but was up in the early afternoon when Des came round with Private Eye. He recommended the film we saw today. Still feeling very strange.

Norwich City against Manchester City went pretty well, much to everyone’s surprise. We won 3-2, and so Dot, who decided to go at the last minute after encouragement from David, was over the moon. So was Oliver. The rest of us were pretty happy too: David and children arrived at the front door at more or less the same time as Dot got home.

We ordered takeaway from Nando’s and had a good evening, with Oliver and Amy both showing their expertise on the piano. The next day David dropped me off at church, where I was preaching, and picked me up afterwards. He had bought us some food for lunch and some extras for the next few days. They left just after 4pm because Oliver had a party at 7.30pm. Lovely to see them.

Monday was a frustrating day. My arm was pretty painful, and I decided to ring the Plaster Room at the hospital to get them to have a look at it, or to give me some advice. I rang most of the day with no reply and by 4pm was so annoyed that I decided to go up there. Happily we arrived just before the Plaster Room shut and found there had been two people on all day, when there should have been five. Nevertheless they agreed to have a look and cut a window in my plaster. Nothing appeared to be wrong, or even suspicious. I immediately felt better.

Most of the week after that merged into one. The TV wasn’t working properly despite two visits from Ryan, and I wanted to buy a new computer for Dot, as hers was so slow. Eventually we found ourselves in the Apple store and after discussion agreed on a new Air laptop (gold), leaving it overnight for all her stuff to be transferred and her old one to be wiped.

At least, that’s what I thought. We were told the process would take up to 72 hours but we got a call the next day to say it was ready. When we got there, we found we had to wait for the old one to be wiped and an operating system to be installed. Both waits seemed interminable. The first day I had to pretend to fall asleep; the second I wandered round in what I hoped was an annoying fashion. But we eventually got sorted, and both computers seem to be working OK.

We followed up the second visit by going to John Lewis and buying a new BT box. Back home, I set it up, and for one brief moment everything seemed to be fine. Then it said we had no internet connection, and the BT player wouldn’t work. I considered attempting suicide, but I guessed that wouldn’t work; so I pulled the plug of the router out of the mains, and after a while I put it back. Now it all works. At the moment, anyway.

Somewhere in the middle of all this we called Green Flag, because the MX5 battery was flat. They started it easily enough, but we had to stand over it while the engine ran for about an hour. After that Dot took it for a drive, after discovering she could get in the car. That must have been Wednesday. On Thursday I discovered I could get in the car, but I could’t drive it, of course. We went up to the garage to discuss the future, but the garage had some kind of event on, and there was no room to park.

Last night Dot gave me a lift to Anteros, where the private view of Joy McCall’s new book was taking place. Quite pleasant: she was collaborating with another poet at death’s door and an artist who seemed reasonably healthy. Also present: her husband Andy, publisher Adrian Bell, printer Nick Gorvin, Trevor Nuthall (writer and local historian) and for some reason James Goffin. Linda Street’s son Jack read Joy’s poems.

It’s been reasonably warm. Today the man came to put up new blinds in the kitchen. They look nice, but Dot has trouble reaching the cord on the big window. This afternoon Paul arrived simultaneously with Harriet, but Dot managed to get rid of Harriet by asking her to come another time, and we had a long talk with Paul. Afterwards we went to the cinema on the spur of the moment and watched Downton Abbey, which was really enjoyable nearly all the time.

I have managed to establish that the insurance company has paid for the car, but I suspect there is practically nothing left over. The holiday insurance are unlikely to pay out at all because I should have rung them at the time, and anyway I don’t really fit their criteria.

And so another week passes. Dot seems quite a bit better and as I write is watching NCFC (or those few players who aren’t injured) take on Manchester City at Carrow Road. Meanwhile David, Oliver and Amy are on their way to see us. My arm is giving me quite a bit of trouble, but that’s partly because I’m a bit late on the painkillers. Yesterday it wasn’t bad at all.

At lunchtime I walked to church to sit with Stuart and greet Heritage Day visitors from 1pm to 2pm. It’s a warm day, as it was yesterday, but I managed the journey Ok. Yesterday I wore a bit too much when I accompanied Dot to Riverside and was driven mad by sweating inside my cast, as well as being very, very tired.

Last Sunday Judy took us to church, and in the evening Phil gave us a lift to the Octagon for a concert of early music organised by Anna. Matt took part with his hurdy-gurdy, and there was an oboist who was excellent. Anna’s sister Niki was there, and so was Anna’s friend Jayne, who we met at their house; so that was two interesting conversations. It was a lovely evening, just the right length (about 75 minutes), and there was wine outside afterwards.

That was where we met Caren and Phil, who were very keen to do something to help us. So we “allowed” Caren to drive us up to Thorpewood for Dot’s routine pre-diabetic eye test the next day. While we were there, Dot was amazingly able to book us both in for a progress check-up with a doctor at the new Lionwood Surgery on Wellesley Avenue. Afterwards Caren took us to the airport to retrieve the golf umbrella we’d left there when we flew back from Kirkwall.

The following day we decided to take the bus up to Lionwood, and that worked very well. We had plenty of time to spare, and the doctor was sympathetic. Had to hurry back because Ryan, who was making a second attempt to fix our TV, was running early. But that worked out Ok, though I am not totally convinced by the TV, as we still can’t get HD on it through the BT box. We suspect the box might need replacing.

In the evening Philip Robinson picked us up and took us (very, very slowly) to Poringland for a meal. Anne wasn’t feeling too well – she has sores in her mouth – but we had a nice time. Phil drove us back very, very slowly. Bit worried, because he’d already been asleep.

Wednesday was Oliver’s 17th birthday. Phil and Joy came round to see us and were here for quite a long time. They really do have a lot of health problems – especially Joy. There can’t be much she hasn’t got.

Judy has been keeping us stocked up with food, but on Thursday Mary next door rang from Morrisons to see if we needed anything. Dot suggested a few biscuits, and she exceeded expectations by a considerable margin. Unfortunately she arrived just as Paul and Maryta were about to leave, and Maryta had one of her shouting fits. Less unfortunately, Mary was not at all fazed by this, as her older son has a similar problem.

Bridget also called in, but I’m not sure which day. Des has been over and innumerable people have rung or sent cards. One who rang was Mary Thrower, whose husband Neville, who was in the same class as I was, has v=been having fits at the same time as being treated for prostate cancer. So many people are having a rough time.

Just had a long phone call from Lily, who seems pretty perky.

Trying to get back to somewhere near normal, at least as far as this blog is concerned. Still in a bit of pain, especially round the chest, but Dot seems quite a lot better. We both get tired easily. Insurance claims are in, though I had a call from an Orkney farmer about his damaged post. Had a bit of trouble understanding him.

On Sunday Judy took us to church, and I preached on love, citing our experience from so many people after our accident. Afterwards the congregation went to Eleanor’s at the Great Hospital for refreshments.Not all of them found the way easily. Sarah turned up a bit late, and Adrian was early – too early, having invaded Eleanor’s service. She asked us to make sure he left when we did; so I woke him up.

On Monday Dot cancelled her visit to the commissioning service at the Cathedral and recovered from Sunday: so did I, though of course I wasn’t going to the Cathedral, not being a DSO.

On Tuesday she didn’t make it to the Archant coffee morning, but I did. Quite a small attendance. Robin and Shelagh offered me a lift up there, and I accepted. Afterwards, however, I went over to Boots and discovered the glasses I had broken in Ballater were still under guarantee, which was a Good Thing. The y organised some new frames for me, which I picked up yesterday.

Later on Tuesday Heather visited Norwich, and I met her at the station. She was on crutches from a torn calf muscle, obtained at zumba. So together we made a pretty pair. Dot joined us in Costa at the Premier Inn, and we had a long chat. She was doing a viva on a UEA student at the Maids Head.

On Wednesday Ryan came round to fix our TV, but failed. The HD went wrong again shortly after he left; so he’s coming again next week. In the afternoon Dot and I went with Paul and Maryta to St Benet’s Abbey. He took us down a narrow road which left us only a couple of hundred yards short, and we had a pleasant 30-40 minutes looking round on quite a nice day. Maryta only screamed at him a couple of times, once for doing an outrageous 42mph in a 60mph limit.

The next day Dot and I walked over to Riverside to get her some allergy pills from Boots and a couple of things from Morrisons. We also got me a pair of jeans (Farah)with a waist large enough for me to do it up easily. Later I wrote to Andrew and sent him a few photos.

Today Judy came round with some more food for us. She has been brilliant. She is also taking us to church tomorrow. The weather has turned a bit chilly, but it’s not too bad.

Quite a good night. Weather still mild, and Judy is about to come round with provisions. Dot is getting up. I woke at 5.30am with a book in my hand and the light on: clearly I’d fallen asleep while reading and not moved for six hours. Still worried about insurance, obviously.

Continuing with the story of our holiday pre-disaster….

Tuesday 13th: We all walked round Loch Muick, which I measured as 9 miles. Quite surprised that I could still walk that far. Struggled towards the end. Weather mixed – warm sun, cold wind, showers. Water high: had to cross stream on logs at other end of loch and encountered midges. Aargh! We had trouble parking initially: it was a tight squeeze, and I was a bit nervous, but the car was OK. The others went out for coffee immediately afterwards, but I had a bath. Had trouble keeping awake. After Roger made us omelettes, we watched Big Fish, which I thought was an excellent film. Managed 20,000 steps today.

Wednesday 14th: Very cool start, with light rain after breakfast, which we had in Rocksalt and Snails (eggs benedict). Dot and I bought warm tops on our way home after buying meat from butcher’s. Drove to Crathie Kirk and called at the Information Centre, where the Canadians ran amok, then on to Braemar, where we viewed the new, improved Fife Arms. Impressive, but our beloved tea and sandwich lounge is no more. Then on to the new Games Pavilion – made the mistake of letting Roger go first, and they missed the turn; so we had to chase them. Nice scone and tea. Then to Linn of Quoich and more midges. Still worth seeing, though. The main bridge seems to be in the process of demolition. Drove back via the Lochnagar loop, then called at station info in Ballater. Had an Angus burger from the butcher’s. Excellent. Watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which I thought was very well done, despite reservations elsewhere.

Thursday 15th: Eventful day, and a much nicer one for weather, though still on the chilly side. Plenty of blue sky, but windy in late afternoon. Visited new shop in high street on way to RS&S, which has become customary for breakfast. Croissant this time. On way back looked at plans for Ella’s house – affordable housing, it seems. Then drove to Glen Callater and walked to the loch. I stopped halfway, meaning to go back, but changed my mind and continued slowly. Climbed up to get view of loch, but failed. Eventually went all the way. On the way back, Dot fell over as others got way ahead. Very nice family (two girls, one boy) came to our aid, but Dot was mainly shocked and able to walk slowly back to the car. Got petrol on way back to Ballater. Brilliant meal at the Rothesay Arms, but a bad night.

Friday 16th: Feeling of approaching doom (oddly – I wrote this at the time). Showery day, rather windy, and forecast of high winds for our ferry crossing tomorrow. Breakfast at RS&S, of course, then Dot bought skirt at Byzantium. Drove to Knock gallery, then Lochnagar distillery, both rather briefly. Dot bought Balmoral napkins as usual at little shop by gate. Then the McEwan gallery, which was very good, and the log cabin, where I think I saw some kites over a nearby wood. Packed and watched TV (Lethal Weapon). Dot has bad bruising on her leg.

Saturday 17th: Drove from Ballater to the Orkney islands. Breakfast at RS&S, then bought reading glasses from optician’s because my main ones were broken (don’t know how): £12.50. Gave Murrays 20-minute start while going to the loo at the station, then overtook them after Bridge at Brown. Good journey north. Stopped at River Bothy, Berriedale, which was amazing. Had delicious burger. In good time for ferry at Gill’s Bay. Mainly dry with plenty of sun, though heavy rain early on over the Lecht. Dry crossing, but rain as we reached our hotel (the Lynnfield) at Kirkwall. Brilliant room. Had whisky, then watched MOTD. NCFC beat Newcastle 3-1.

Sunday 18th: Mainly pleasant weather – quite warm but with a couple of heavy showers. Drove to the Italian Chapel and Churchill Barriers, then to Goulp of Deerness – a sea cave/chasm. Lovely cliffs and a visitor centre with loos in the middle of nowhere. Unmanned and undamaged. Walked on cliffs then back to airport to check it out. Then drove past Stones of Stenness to the Ring of Brodgar – walked round it. On to Yesnaby, where we made the mistake of not walking to a point where we could see the sea stack, because it looked like rain. and Dot was very tired. We meant to come back… Still, the cliffs were spectacular. Called at Maeshowe visitor centre on way back to hotel. At hotel had bath, slept a bit, got organised. Scallops and chips.

Monday 19th: Extraordinary day. Got up very early to pack up car with stuff we “would’t need” in Westray. Snatched a little breakfast and drove to airport. Amazingly basic plane to Westray. Seven passengers. Picked up there and taken to B&B, but then had to leave bags and spent rest of the day (till 4) walking round the island. Dropped at Castle, then walked to beach and by loop back to village of Pierowall. Had sandwich and delicious cake (raspberry and rhubarb) in cafe (soup for Dot), then wandered round the village (church, hotel etc) till time to walk back to B&B – a mile up the hill. Let into our room and met the other person staying there – Jackie, from Kent. She had booked for meal at hotel in village but couldn’t face two-mile walk there and back. Had sleep after cup of tea and then walked in for nice meal – and back afterwards. Very, very tired. Weather quite cold and showery. Fortunately we had brought the right clothes.

Tuesday 20th: Started grey with cold rain on the cliffs, where we saw baby fulmer. But the weather improved and eventually it was quite warm. We were on an all-day trek with Westraak – aka Karen and Andy. Eight of us in addition to them: Jackie and us; two sisters; and two other sisters and the husband of one of them. All except Jackie seemed older than us. (J has had womb cancer and lost her husband to prostate cancer two years ago.) Started with coffee and cakes at K and A’s house. Excellent. Then to cliffs in the north-west, where we saw the fulmer but it was wet and very cold. Later highlight was Noup Head lighthouse and gannets; the castle; church; airport (where we witnessed a 1:09 flight in its entirety from Papa Westray); an excellent gallery, where we bought a print; the heritage centre; lunch at their house (excellent again ); pier; then south view of a deserted hamlet. Had chat with Jackie back at the house, and the two of us went down to the hotel again for an evening meal (lamb for me, fish combination for Dot). Angus from the heritage centre served us again. Recognised a few faces. Back up the hill – beautiful evening. Exhausted.

Wednesday 21st: Lovely day till rain came in the evening. Breakfast at 8,, and Lynn (B&B wife who had been away) took us to the airport. Completed the shortest hop to Papa Westray (1 min 50 sec) and thence to Kirkwall, where we got a certificate, had tea at the airport, retrieved our car and drove to Kirkwall. Walked briefly, saw cathedral and called at the museum, where we saw a film of the world war one Scapa Flow scupperings. On to Visitor Information and then decided Kirkwall was not for us (too full) and drove by the lower road to Maeshowe, where we booked a visit for the next day. On to Stromness, which we loved. Had sandwich in tea room (erudite gentlemen at next table discussing Celtic church, among other things). Back to car to drive to Skara Brae where we utilised our free pass. Interesting, but conjecture outweighed fact heavily. Then visited Skaill House, which was quite interesting. Tried to phone B&B, but unsuccessfully, as her line was down (as re discovered later). Castlehill was a bit tricky to find, and owner Denise a bit different – just how different we discovered the following day. She did us a meal later, but not before we’d fallen asleep. Nice wine.

The events of the following fateful day are set out in an earlier post. Judy has brought food, stayed for cup of tea, and Dot is now listening to football.