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.

Still slow going. Have written a sermon for Sunday, and the final suitcase has arrived from Orkney. We’ve managed to deal with the contents – up to a point. Had mysterious phone call alleging to be from insurer of other car saying he had admitted liability, but I think they’ve got a bit confused. Also call from Orkney garage asking permission to break up the car, which I gave, providing my insurer was in agreement. Apparently he is.

E-mailed holiday insurance, and they have told me to download claim form, which I’ll do tomorrow. Denise seems to have difficulty in scanning details of what she’s spent on sending the parcels.

Dot is having problems with rib pain, but I think we’re both improving – very slowly. I’m about to start on details of the holiday, beginning on…

Friday, August 9, when we left Norwich around 9.30am in quite pleasant weather. Went across Fens to avoid traffic and took two hours to reach Huntingdon. Stopped at 100-mile point for a sandwich, and I took over the driving. Discovered short cut while avoiding traffic on the way into Coventry and spent some time with Andrew: he’s put on weight. Very heavy traffic on the M6, with several delays. Tried alternative route near Knutsford, but it didn’t work at all. Stopped at Lancaster. Lots of heavy rain around and numerous pointless 50mph limits. Arrived Annadale Water around 8.30pm. Raining heavily as we went to bed.

Saturday 10th: left Annadale at 10.37 after good breakfast of croissants. Not a bad night’s sleep. Dot drove – rain to start with, but cleared up by the time we reached Abington, about 25 miles away. Good progress – stopped at Stirling an hour later, then on by usual route with me driving. Eventually got held up by bus and stopped just beyond Spittal of Glenshee to eat scones. Arrived Ballater about 2.30pm after getting a phone call from owner of 18 Golf Road to say we could go in early. Everything good. Went to bakery, then Co-op, then walked round town feeling very tired. Watched Dylan documentary Don’t Look Back, then Match of the Day. Bed around midnight.

Sunday 11th: Woke around 8.20. Marked drop in temperature, which never really recovered, but discovered how to turn on central heating and towel rail. Went to church – ecumenical service. Very good sermon on faith by Canon Vittoria Williams. Had afternoon tea at 1pm with Ella, who we met outside the newsagent’s. She had booked us into Carriages – a new incarnation of the station.Excellent food, tea and attention. Ella came back to house with us to check where we’re going on Orkney. Later drove up to the Lecht and called at log cabin. Weather closed in – very wet and little visibility. Wrote some tanka. Parked again at The Watchers and at Lochnagar View on Balmoral road. No view.Drove down South Deeside and to Birkhall, but road was closed at end. Too wet to get out and check. Drove home and Dot bought sweet and sour and rice. Watched TV documentary on George V’s children, then Poldark, then MOTD 2. To Dot’s dismay, TV in bedroom doesn’t work on BBC1 or 2. Good night’s sleep.

Monday 12th: Brighter, with some blue sky. Uncertainty about when Murrays would arrive. Visited Lark’s Gallery, then drove to Birkhall down Glen Muick road and found the Birkhall bit permanently closed: new path and steps for pedestrians. Then went to Cambus O’May to find fences keeping people even further away from the sorry-looking bridge. All very sad. After lunch we walked round the golf course and on to the riverside path, where we had a phone call from Barbara the other side of Glenshee. Took it slowly home: Dot bought some socks. Roger, Barbara, Rick and Shirley arrived just after 4pm and we walked down to the bridge, then to the Co-op. Bought fish and chips – not as good as usual. Rain, then brighter again.

Yes, a bit of a hiatus there. Partly because we’ve been on holiday, but mainly because of something far more serious. While on holiday, we had a pretty nasty car crash, and I ended up in hospital for three days.

It happened on Thursday, August 22, which started rainy. Our B&B host Denise had suggested places to visit, and we started at Birsey, a small island with a causeway that was due to be uncovered much later. From there we drove to Kirbuster farm museum, which was excellent. Then to a cafe at Fern Valley, where we were watched by ring-tailed lemurs.

From there we went on to look for Happy Valley, as recommended by Denise. While about to turn right at Maeshowe we were struck by a large van driving at speed. The car was demolished. Both of us were badly bruised by seat belts/airbags, and I broke my arm. I was able to get out and speak to the driver of the other vehicle – he and a boy with him were both ok.

Both of us were badly shocked. After speaking briefly to the police, we were taken by ambulance to Kirkwall Hospital. They wanted to operate on my arm, but didn’t have the requisite metal plate. Then they wanted to take me to Aberdeen, but I could see chaos looming and suggested Norwich. This was agreed. Police kindly took us back to B&B, where Denise was wonderful. Got us food, and next day took us to garage in Finstown to retrieve stuff from car wreck, then to the airport, where she ensured we would be looked after by Loganair. (McKinlay Kidd had earlier booked flight by Loganair to Norwich via Edinburgh). She also helped us sort our stuff out.

Both flights were lovely, and we were met at the airport by Paul and Maryta (who didn’t seem to know why).

Woke at about 5.30 on Saturday and after reporting car accident to insurance got taxi to hospital, where I gave them surgeon’s letter. Eventually I was admitted to Euston ward, then Gateley, then Cringleford.

Visited on Monday morning by a third orthopaedics consultant who said I probably didn’t need operation because it would probably heal naturally. I chose this option, partly but not entirely because I wouldn’t have an operation till at least Tuesday. Dot meanwhile is suffering bravely and was brought up to see me twice, once by Judy and once By Louise Robinson. Charlotte also came by to chat, which was very nice. 

Later on it transpired that I would have to stay in another night because the plaster shop went home at about 11.30am, it being Bank Holiday. Aargh!!!!  Spoke to David on FaceTime, and Phil brought Dot up to see me around 3.30pm. Also got nice text from Oliver. Chris brought Dot up to fetch me on Tuesday morning. We met in the car park.. It was hot.

Since our return to Norwich it has been very warm – blue sky – except for one brief burst of rain. Des has helped by putting bins out and watering flowers, and this afternoon Judy came round with some food – together with her grandchildren, Flossie and Rosie. The former was particularly delightful and helped us open three boxes of Orkney stuff that had just arrived. Sean is just back from France, where he saw the aftermath of a fatal accident and caught a parasite while swimming in a pool.

Panicked for a couple of days because I couldn’t find vital bit of paper given me by the police, but this afternoon it turned up on the floor next to Dot’s bed.

One of those weeks when it’s fairly warm but the sky is always threatening, which rather unsettles me. Am also unsettled by being about to go on holiday, particularly when we’re scheduled to be travelling all of Friday and part of Saturday, and heavy rain and wind is forecast.

Tuesday was particularly busy. We went up to the Archant coffee morning and chatted to Bob Easter as well as the usual suspects. At least, I think it was him. Afterwards Dot and I went over to the station to meet Gordon Knox from Malta, who is a former schoolmate of Dot’s, though she doesn’t remember him. They had been e-mailing each other since he traced her on the internet.

He was on his way to North Walsham; so we had a coffee in the new station cafe. We got on pretty well; so we suggested lunch, but unfortunately chose TGIF, which wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. Gordon is a geologist who doesn’t eat red meat because of the water used in producing it. So we had a chicken burger each, which was average, though the chips were good. Should have gone to Wetherspoons.

He just missed the next train so he came back to ours for another coffee. I was going to say he had barely gone before the Hendersons arrived, but in fact I think they came on Monday. Maryta had bad feet. Harriet dropped in too, and so did Des, but in the middle of all that I bought a new printer. I was going to get it from Amazon but suddenly realised I could order it for about the same price from Argos and just go and pick it up. So I did. I was installing it while Harriet was here, and it seems to work quite well.

There was a thunderstorm on Tuesday evening.

Dot spent most of yesterday spring-cleaning the house. I felt very tired but eventually stirred myself to go and buy Andrew a few little birthday presents over at Riverside. I had to sit down on the way back, but I managed to cook the Hello Fresh! meal for Dot, as I did on Monday. It was not vegetarian.

Today we felt sufficiently advanced with the packing/preparation to go to North Walsham for the heritage photographic exhibition. Gordon was there, but left to ride the Bure Valley Railway. Richard Batson was also there, and it turned out his mother-in-law knew Jessie. There was an excellent model of Ship Yard, through which Dot used to walk. Dot was disappointed to find she was not on the school photo, but found herself in the school magazine. We spent quite a while at North Walsham – in the atrium, which is a nice building surrounded by what look like derelict industrial sheds, but aren’t – then returned home to pack.

I gave Phil a ring and found that he and Joy hadn’t been particularly well, but Sam and his family were moving to Buckinghamshire next week. As I write, I have finished most of my packing, and Dot is well on the way. We hope to leave early in the morning, but this has never happened in the history of the world; so I don’t hold out much hope.

Picked up Amy from Caddington on Tuesday – the first time she’s stayed with us on her own. Plenty of rain on the way: Dot drive down and I drove back but got tired near the Memorial at Elveden so let Dot drive the rest. While we were in Caddington we helped a very little bit with the packing of some books and had a cup of tea.

Back at home we had adapted our usual Hello Fresh! order so that it was vegetarian. The first night we had halloumi burgers, which were very good: I did some extra chips, and we had some additional halloumi. On the Wednesday we had some kind of gratin, which was also quite good; and on the Thursday vegetable chilli, which was just about all right, though Amy seemed quite keen on it.

While Dot took Amy to Wyevale Garden Centre on the Wednesday and bought some plants for our exciting new garden, I went into town and got some Canadian dollars for her, as well as a book from Jarrolds for Andrew. On the way up London Street I saw Harriet at Harriet’s cafe, and then Linda (Lily’s niece) and her boyfriend, whose name escapes me. It was actually Linda’s birthday; so a happy accident. We had sent her a card; so bonus points there.

Still on the way home met Judy and her granddaughter Rosie in the Close. Judy is still recovering from a longstanding cough; Rosie seemed quite shy. There should have been a Footprints meeting at the UEA on Wednesday, but I hadn’t intended to go. In the event it was cancelled by Rebecca after both Rob and Karen sent long e-mails which they wanted discussed – but neither of them was going to be there. I give up.

We thought about taking Amy to the cinema, but she wasn’t keen; so instead we watched Back to the Future, Back to the Future 2 and Back to the Future 3 on successive evenings, resulting in late bedtimes for all of us. High scores on the nostalgia front. Had WiFi problems on BTTF2, but eventually got it going after I unplugged it downstairs and started it up again. The other two were fine (Netflix).

Amy was a bit off colour on the Thursday, and so was I. It eventually transpired that she had a headache. I was pretty listless and achey. Still, we did a Picture Quiz and played Cluedo, which I lost twice as usual. Amy has a foolproof method, but Dot beat her to the draw in the first game. I beat them both to the draw, but I was wrong.

We took Amy back to Caddington on Friday, deciding at the last minute to make halloumi burgers at home instead of eating at Elveden. Traffic was very heavy, and we didn’t get to Caddington till just after 4pm. Stayed for another cup of tea and then drove back, starting during the rush hour. Traffic was heavy again, but with Dot driving and me navigating we avoided some of the problem areas (Royston, Barton Mills, Thetford). However, this took extra time and we did not get back in time to go to Joy McCall’s party (5-9pm).

Yesterday Dot went to Anne’s for lunch, and I was doing fine until the printer stopped working because there was no ink in the (new) cartridge, Barclaycard locked me out of my account while I was trying to open their app and then Santander’s site wouldn’t open. Then Dot’s printer didn’t work for no apparent reason. After she got home she was getting stuff printed by sending it to me and I was using her printer to print it, which is ridiculous, since her printer is next to her computer and my computer is downstairs.

The Barclaycard helpline got my account unlocked, but I declined their offer to sort out their app because it causes too much trouble. Their site itself is bad enough. Anyway, posted a birthday card to Andrew; so had a short walk. Steps are doing very badly this month.

In the evening Dot and I went to Denise’s 75th birthday celebration (her actual birthday is tomorrow) and had a really good time. Keith, Clive and Elaine were all there – Elaine with her husband David and sons Oliver and Tommy. Also Madeleine and Geoff Jary, Mary and Bernard Pitt, Clive’s girlfriend and stepdaughter, the couple living in our old house and Linda and Paul from down the road – who we’d met before but I temporarily forgot. Very nice couple. Particularly good atmosphere: Denise was on good form – we had a long talk – but Peter is beginning to look his age.

This morning I led the service, with Liz Cannon preaching. Again, all very pleasant and we were last to leave. Since then Des has been over to ask about using our drive while we’re away, followed closely by Paul and Maryta. The latter is having more trouble with her feet, but not much else changes. They didn’t stay long.