Tuesday the 23rd was quite mild, with a bit of wind around Loch Muick. Warmer towards evening. Drove down to loch and parked in the new overflow car park after buying pies and strawberry tarts from the bakery. Had lunch in  protected rock pile just off the path, with a tin of sicilian lemonade we’d bought in the Lake District. Continued down to the loch, where five small dogs were off the lead – forbidden at this time of year. Paused for a while on the beach, out of reach of dogs and owners, and then again at the boat shed, where a small bird was agitatedly trying to get in, under the illusion that we were a threat. He/she clearly had a nest in there.

Made the mistake of continuing round the third and fourth sides of the walk, which is considerably longer than going back. Exhausted at the end: we did over 10,000 steps today. Stags in the neighbouring field. In the (early) evening went over the road to the Indian and had a very pleasant meal. Place packed by the time we left. Watched Masterchef.

Wednesday was warm and sunny. Blue skies. Intended to be a quiet day, and we got up late – I read the Julian play that I had been putting off for some time, and it was quite good. Drove to Burn o’Vat, and for some reason I put on boots and carried a pole, both of which came in useful. I had forgotten how difficult the entrance to the Vat was. Fun, though: we both managed it, and the waterfall was in quite good nick. Then walked over the road on to the Muir and made our way to the bog with boardwalk: more attractive than it sounds. Much further than we thought, though, and we’d both had it by the time we got back to the car.

Dot drove to the Cheese Factory and cafe at Tullich – a new place for us. Delicious toastie – Lochnagar cheese and red onion. Chatted to owner, who is an angler – said her husband knew Ella. Bought cheese. Drove down Glen Muick road just past Birkhall, and  sat and read for a while (slept quite a lot in my case). Then home.to Clannach Grill in evening. Sirloin good again; chips a bit underdone. 

Thursday – Warm day again; blue sky. Did a bit of shopping in town, then drove to Cairnwell, where we found the chairlift closed again – this time for maintenance! So we drove down to Braemar and bought some chocolate, then drove in to the Log Cabin, where we had lunch – I had a cheese and onion sandwich again. Very good. Also there was what appeared to be a sports car rally, mainly German Weismann Roadsters, whatever they are.

Drove back to where we could walk down to our favourite “Amy” bridge – quite steep path! Back in the car, drove down to Gairnshiel Bridge, where a helicopter was landing. Also police cars and other vehicles. Made the mistake of turning right after them, only to find the road blocked. Did amazing eight-point turn (roughly) and got back to the junction where I could take the Ballater turn. All looked very chaotic, probably a car crash. Parked in a lay-by just outside Ballater and read for a while, then drove home. Very tired. Cheese on toast. 

Friday – Very warm again. Anyone who has been near us or who might have been near us is ill. Julia texted today to say she and Allan have Covid – he quite badly. And Ella, who we were going to have lunch with today, has a high temperature, cough and bad throat. Had breakfast at cafe on corner and bought picture from Larks Gallery. then walked down to Monaltrie Park. Felt very strange most of day – took Patacetamol. Did packing after lunch, and in evening went to Green Inn. Very nice meal – excellent waitress. Felt a bit better. watched Detectorists. 

Saturday – Bit cooler by evening. Just managed to pack and get away by 10am. Cleaner arrived as we finished, and we had a brief chat. I drove to Braemar, where we stopped and bought some chocolate as a present; had to wait for the shop to open at 11am. Then drove on to Blairgowrie Starbucks, where Dot took over driving, with me guiding her with the help of Google Maps and car satnav (some slight differences).

Through Perth easily and on to M90 – but slow over Forth Bridge. Got involved – largely as bystanders – in bizarre exchange on text involving Amy, Oliver, David and Chrissy. Changed driver on A1, which was littered with speed cameras – one of the reasons we now use the M6 when going north. Arrived at about 3.30pm at the Lindisfarne Inn, but had to wait for a room because they were behind with cleaning: all 23 rooms had been vacated today, which was very unusual. Excellent receptionist; nice room. Walked down road towards Holy Island as far as train crossing. Then back for very good meal, but I felt quite ropey afterwards: something  wrong with my stomach, I think. Felt better towards end of evening after lying on bed.

Definite improvement in the weather today: very little wind and no rain. This coincided with Julia and Allan going home: we drove them to the airport this morning, arriving in good time for their flight, which was delayed for 30 minutes. Not that we knew anything about that; we were on our way to Drum Castle, where we had a guided tour followed by lunch and a walk round the chapel and gardens. Very enjoyable.

Back to last Tuesday, when there was quite a chilly wind and some rain in the first half of the day; then sunny and quite warm at times (in the sun). After breakfast we drove up the Tomintoul road; stopped by the Watchers, but it was very windy and cold, so progressed to the Well of Lecht. Still cold, though less windy. Decided not to walk to the mine. Drove back to the Lochnagar Distillery, but no tours available. Then on to Loch Muick road, where I checked the place where the Birkhall road had fallen into the Waters of Muick. They’re doing a good job of covering it up, blocking the entrance completely.

On to the Loch, where there is a new parking place nearer the visitor centre. Parking charge £5. We walked a fair way down the path, considering Allan’s problems, and got a good view of it as well as of a sizeable herd of deer. Back to Ballater – road very quiet. Later we walked round town a bit to increase steps, and I bought wine and a Telegraph from the Co-op. Then had whisky Julia had purchased at the Distillery – very nice (from Islay). Fish and chips for supper – very good. Watched a couple of programmes, including Masterchef.

Wednesday was mostly quite mild and dry, but rain and cooler in the evening. Drove up to Glen Shee, only to discover that the cafe and Cairnwell chairlift were both shut on Wednesdays. A couple of motor cyclists shared our amazement. So instead we drove back down to Braemar (back lane) and then on to Linn of Quoich, which has been transformed by a new bridge, taking the road round a corner and leading to a new path up to the Linn footbridge. Cars not allowed beyond the usual parking place, which happily was free with our NT for Scotland membership.

Taking it very slowly, we got Allan up the Linn, which was beautiful as always. I came back by a different route, which turned out not to be a good idea – marshy and difficult. Back into Braemar, where we ventured inside the Fife Arms but eventually settled for a delicious scone in the nearby tea shop. Bought a couple of shirts over the road. Then back to Ballater. Had evening meal at Clachan Grill, which has gone a bit upmarket. Sirloin was excellent. Higbees paid: earlier paid for petrol too. Despite Julia’s misgivings, we managed to walk home afterwards.

Thursday was mainly quite mild, but cooler in the Cairngorm area. Forgot how long a drive it is: felt quite tired at the end of the day. Straightforward drive, though; new £3 parking fee. Got funicular at 12 (they run half-hourly) and had lunch (sandwiches and tea), then went out on to viewing area. Plenty of snow on neighbouring peaks, but not much visible from viewing area. Exhibition much reduced, but an excellent panoramic film. Shop much the same; very expensive stuff.

Another cup of tea, then down and drove to Loch Eilean, which was rather lovely and deserved a more thorough exploration. From there through Aviemore and home, via Boat of Garten. Dropped Dot off to buy a few things for supper. Then FTd David – his 51st birthday – and had long conversation with him and Chrissy about his work and about his childhood, which he said he enjoyed. Lovely to hear. After supper watched a bit of Masterchef and a programme on Sri Lanka, which wasn’t very impressive.

Friday was a very pleasant day; quite warm. Drove to Balmoral, and dropped off Julia and Allan by gates before parking. As an unanticipated result they paid for our tickets; so we paid for lunch later on. Spent a long time walking round the grounds, featuring the usual spots, including the ballroom. Allan lasted remarkably well. Back in Ballater by 2pm, for tea in the garden. Later had evening meal at the Green Inn, now a very good Italian. Excellent starter of trout and avocado on toast. Home by 8.30pm. 

Saturday was dull but mainly dry, with spots of light rain off and on. Heavier rain started in the evening and lasted all night. Julia was quite tired; so they rested while Dot and I walked halfway round the river walk (from the Bridge of Gairn end), coming back across the golf course and into Golf Road near the RC church. Then we all walked to the station for lunch – chunky sandwiches: not over-enthused, though the woman in charge was excellent. Looked round info centre and a couple of shops; it started to rain, so I walked home, buying a Telegraph from the Co-op, partly to protect my head! Others continued tour of town, and Allan bought a walking stick.

Before supper Dot and I drove to Cambus O’May bridge and saw someone dive in. Then checked in at Burn O’Vat car park, which was full, and visited our favourite riverside parking spot beyond the sawmill. Saw a heron. Had sausage and mash for supper and watched two fairly awful TV programmes – Palin on the Himalaya without mountains, and a repetitive documentary on the five royal grandchildren. 

Yesterday we woke up to find the rain had stopped, but it was very misty and damp all day, with quite a lot of light rain. Drove to Crathes Castle – very interesting inside, and nice lunch in the cafe. Visited wood-turning demonstration and bought a couple of things, then a bracelet for Dot from the gift shop. Drove past Ella’s, then to our favourite spot on South Deeside again, but low cloud meant Morven was invisible. Later Dot and I walked across the golf course to the river, then along and back. Right hip started hurting, and later had a headache. Must be the weather. Got fish and chips – shop very crowded. Watched Simon Reeve in Peru and Bolivia. Fascinating stuff and quite disturbing. Early night. 

Tuesday 9 May – Another hectic day, crowned by my falling over in the kitchen, fortunately without serious injury. I think. Earlier catching up with loads of stuff pre-holiday. Booked meal at Baginton for Thursday after Simon said he wouldn’t be able to make it for an afternoon coffee.  Went co church with Dot for ceilidh practice at lunchtime – also present Phil, Matt and Anna playing, plus Carrie learning to call, plus abut eight dancers. Went up to chemist to get Dot’s pills but they were in chaos, and she had to go back later in the afternoon, when it was just as bad – except that she managed to get the pills. Just before that Des had washed and cleaned the car for £20, which went to Medecins sans Frontieres. Thunderstorm while Dot was at chemist’s. Later took Eleanor to Cake and Compline at Claire’s. Good cake. Managed to work out rota forJune and July.

Wednesday – Another thunderstorm in late afternoon, but earlier quite mild and dry. Spent most of the day preparing for our holiday, and decided not to go to Halesworth in the evening, though I probably could have (Good move. I later heard from Lynne there were 23 there!). In the morning posted card to Rodney, then walked up to Rosary. Surprisingly, Andrew’s flowers were ok. Rosary Road closed to cars again. Des came round in the afternoon to check on what to do while we’re away. 

Thursday – And so the holiday begins. Managed to get everything packed and in the car by 11.30. Dot drove to Cambridge Services, and we had coffee and sandwiches in the sun!  Then I drove to Coventry. Booked in, and after a cup of  tea we went for a walk, finding ourselves on a bridge over the giant roundabout on the A 45. Interesting. Picked Oliver up at 6pm – traffic quite bad. After chat in room we went down for meal. Service extremely slow but food very good – especially my ribeye. Oliver told us that Chrissy’s company was having a major launch as we ate. Drove him home and returned. Dot very tired after two glasses of wine and is sleeping (I think) as I write this. I had Coke. Weather mainly mild and dry, but thunderstorms elsewhere.

Friday – Dry, but with a coolish wind. Decided to skip breakfast, and stopped at services on M11 toll for pain de chocolat and croissant. I continued driving with no major hold-ups till we got to Carnock Richard services, where Dot started driving. Then on to Tebay farm shop/services in the Lakes, which was incredibly busy, but we had lunch there, and then got some petrol. On again to Abington, but left motorway too early because of satnav problem; so had to get back on and eventually arrived around 5pm. Walked around a bit, lay down for a bit, then had Chinese stuff which Dot loved but I wasn’t so keen on. No more lamb shank…. Interchange of texts with David re yesterday’s launch. Watched Masterchef and Not the Nine O’clock News, purely because Diana Morgan was presiding. The rest of it’s usually rubbish nowadays. Excellent article in the Daily Telegraph about the misuse of fact-checking on social media. We’re in Scotland!

Saturday – Beautifully warm and sunny. Had leisurely breakfast (traditional, included in hotel price), then set off north. I drove first , and most of the way it was straightforward. But there was a huge hold-up where we joined the A9 – a notorious black spot anyway, but major road works. Managed to avoid hitting anything and reached the turn to Luncarty/Stanley with no further trouble. Stopped just short of Blairgowrie at a new Starbucks, which was rather nice. Then Dot drove: no real incident except that we were held up by a ditherer; so we waited for a while and then had a nice clear run over to Braemar. Drove in to have a look, but no change except large numbers of bikers, like everywhere else. On to Ballater – pointless traffic lights installed at the bridge by Auchallater – and got some petrol before going to the house. About 90 minutes early, but it was ready for us. Lovely place. Walked round the town in the sun – all quite reassuring. Bought food at butcher’s and Co-op. Very tired. Unpacked, cold meal and after many vicissitudes managed to get the television to work. Saw a good programme on Tutankhamen. Bed earlyish.

Sunday – Big contrast to yesterday. Rain most of the day and markedly cooler. Walked to church during a lull – strange service – shorter, with only three hymns and about 30 people. Afterwards drove up to the Log Cabin, surprised to find the new bridge at Gairnshiel not yet open. Log Cabin quite lively : had lunch there – Dot had soup and I had very nice sandwich. Popped over to graveyard briefly. Drove back via Balmoral: clouds very low but plenty of people there. Discovered I could get certain TV programmes on my iPad. Watched Dalgliesh and an episode Of Ted Lasso. Went out for short walk late in evening and were impressed by what they’ve done at Ella’s old house. Looks really good. Read some of Dominion. 

Monday – Not a bad day: plenty of sun, chillier with a few drops of rain. Picked up Allan and Julia from Aberdeen Airport. Their plane was very late, and the parking cost £22 – later mostly reimbursed by Allan. Drove back to Ballater, and after glass of wine walked round the town. Fire Brigade held practice session in house opposite. Had pizzas and strawberry tarts, and talked. Higbees detected smell in their bathroom. Went to bed pretty early.

Thursday was fairly mild and mainly dry, though there was rain while we were in the Maddermarket in the evening, watching Iolanthe. Very good production, including David Archer and some other people we knew, Sillars related. Caught up with chess games, posted a parcel, and put blog on site. Dot went to Cringleford School, and when she came home we went up and voted. Sent Steven some money towards a new laptop. Val says Luke has not been doing too well. 

Friday was pretty nondescript, until at about 3.45 there was thunderstorm. Quite dramatic. Had our hair cut at 10.30, but before that I had caught up with various small jobs, such as choosing the hymns for Sunday, checking my bank account and editing my pictures. Most of the rest of the day was spent preparing the evening meal – I like to think I helped quite a bit with clearing away, vegetables, and so on. In a spare moment watched East of Ipswich by Michael Palin, which was really good – brought back memories of my adolescence.   

Met in street despite threatening clouds. Des, Chris and Mark only. Howard and Paul round for meal – Anna was ill – went pretty well. Very long story from Howard about a book he’s reading. Nice fish pie and cheese with mushrooms. Extremely tired by the time we got to bed – around 11.45pm. 

Saturday was very odd. Dismal weather – lots of rain in the afternoon, ideal for the King’s Coronation. Not. Obviously we watched it – all two and a half hours of it. Quite spectacular, as expected. Managed to write three out of the four pieces for Parish Pump – on William Byrd, Henry Moore and the birth of the NHS. The first two were unexpectedly difficult – or maybe I was just tired, for some reason. The bathroom fan broke, annoyingly in its “on” position. Eventually managed to turn it off after finding our from the internet how to get the front off (turned power off upstairs first). Can’t switch it on, of course, but I can live with that. Watched a two-parter of Dalgliesh, which was superb, then the last episode of Magpie Murders, which was is possible even better. FTd David and Chrissy: they seem well. Had a discussion about generational issues – firm/floating and few/many. 

Sunday was mainly dry, at least where we were, and quite mild. Went to church in the morning: played guitar with Steve and Adrian; Dot on violin; Matt on piano. Anna still not well. Howard did more on Ecclesiastes. Daniel and Nikki came. Graham popped in at the end: he wasn’t very happy with the Coronation, which he saw as a glorification of privilege. After lunch we drove out to Buck Brigg to see Rosie, who looked very fragile – so much so that we didn’t let her make tea for us. She said it was almost entirely her back that was the problem.

Dot popped up to the local Coronation picnic afterwards – but only briefly. I prepared some poems for the evening session at the Seagull, which went quite well: fewer people than usual. Read Kingfisher Suit, Bubble Room, Where the Deer Come Through, Hide and Two Penguins. Also Figure in Stone, which is a Mother Julian Poem and is now on a few railings around Norwich, together with 19 others.

Joan Murray, who I used to know as an artist at InPrint, turned up: good to see her. Lynne and Sue not present, and no music! HIgh Christian content. Met Jenny, Ian’s daughter, who Dot used to teach at Tuckswood. She now has children aged 5 and 8. Bridget came over too. Watched MOTD2. Bed very late.

Yesterday was hectic. Mild and dry until evening. Wrote my last Parish Pump piece (on the Loch Ness monster) and then Dot and I walked up to St Gregory’s green, where Dot was bell-ringing with the Greens, the Archers, Georgina, Eugena and the Greens’ neighbour. Bit windy, but they did OK. Kim was also there, and I had a chat with her.

Afterwards I tried to find some of the Julian poems, but without success – apart from the one at St Gregory’s. Tired from so much walking, and after lunch we had to walk again to the football, where Norwich lost to Blackpool 1-0. Pukki got dramatic send-off. Really tired after walk back, but after fried eggs we went over to Des and Chris to see their holiday pix from Mexico and Costa Rica. Great cocktail and interesting talk about Christians and Jews. Recommended The Chosen. Felt surprisingly better, despite the excellent cocktails.

Walked up to the Rosary last Saturday afternoon: it was warm and sunny.  In a late kickoff Norwich lost 2-1 away to West Brom, though with a proper referee we would have won 2-1. Manager has promised consistency; so we’ll probably lose the last match of the season as well. Anne and Sophie picked up car around 11, having been delayed. 

Sunday – Ding Liren is world chess champion, though the Daily Telegraph chess column doesn’t catch up till Thursday. Sunny and warm again. Joint service at St Luke’s: in nine-strong worship band, which was a lot of fun. Several of the others play – or have played – with genuine bands, eg Steve Fiske and Phil Gazley, not to mention Nicky. Communion service, quite full; lots of appreciative people.

Afterwards Dot went back to chair painting, which I fear may be becoming an addiction. I dithered: ditto. In the early evening I walked up to Mousehold Street, Dot picked me up and we  went to St Mary Magdalene for a Lady Julian service, which incorporated a new 15-min musical piece by Ian Hytch, former conductor of Sillars. Vicki playing, also Ros and Janet. Lesley Mitchell led prayers really well; spoke to her afterwards. She likes my poems; so she must be ok. Spoke to her husband too. Excellent sermon by self-proclaimed Julian “nut” which I found personally very encouraging. After late meal watched final two episodes of Lost: Those Who Kill  – Danish noir. Very well done. 

Bank Holiday Monday – Mostly sunny and fairly mild, but rained a bit at lunchtime when we were having lunch with Angela and Rodney in Gem. They stayed with us, chatting till teatime. Later watched TV – last episode of Blue Lights, which was an excellent series, and the second episode of David Copperfield, nicely done. While putting out bins, noticed that Ciara had parked in our drive. Had to get her to move, because Janet was parking in our drive very early the next morning.

Tuesday – Chilly wind, but dry, and overall temperature not too bad. Went to Archant breakfast on my own, because Lucy was coming to see Dot. Only eight there, including first-timer Frank Gordon. Brian in hospital with chest infection; Robin had migraine. Sat with Eric and Linda and one of the printers. Afterwards at home had chat with Lucy. In the afternoon was feeling extremely tired; Dot dropped me off at Rosary with some flowers in a new pot I had bought for Andrew’s grave (mainly bluebells). She went on to Homebase and Morrisons. I sat in Rosary for quite a long time: very peaceful. In the evening watched end of Great Expectations, which was pretty good, and a couple of other things. Had interesting exchange on What’sApp with Kim about prophecy and the Coronation. Janet picked up her car at about 9.30pm. Dot has painted some more chairs.  

Wednesday – Dry: a bit cooler. Dot went to Tasburgh in the morning, then went cross-country and called in at Brooke to drop off the sugar crate that we’d had for about five months. At lunchtime she went into the city, and as she went we had a chat with Mark, who’s leaving again next Wednesday. Then Bridget arrived to do the cleaning. I bought Hiarcs chess engine that had been on my other machine but didn’t transfer: later I played through April En Passant, where my name was mentioned in passing and someone called Oliver Lenton was playing for Cambridgeshire. ! wrote a light piece for my website incorporating the Coronation and chess. Dot went to orchestra in the evening. Earlier I went to pick up nasal spray from chemist, who were in chaos again. 

Have written three poems this week, and I think they’re quite good.