Sitting in Bertie Cottage, Ballater, at 16:40 on Wednesday, 29 May, and the rain is pouring down. If it wasn’t, I would probably be somewhere else. Julia, Dave, Dot and I have been walking round the town today, stopping for coffee at the cafe on the corner and for lunch at the Rothesay Rooms in the former station. We then visited a number of shops and bought some clothes – I got a secondhand shirt for £8 and Dot got a bag and top from Byzantium. For instance. We also booked meals for later in the week at The Fish Shop and the Green Inn.

Back nearly a week ago, on Thursday 23rd, it was overcast, threatening rain that never actually materialised. Made final preparations, delivered newspapers over the road, then left for our journey north. Dot drove to Boxworth services, where we ate a bit of food we’d taken with us and got rid of scraps, including a bottle of coke that was leaking. Dot lost car keys temporarily, but we found them in the car. Had tea and coffee at Costa, then I drove along A14 and up M1 to Donnington services, which were very smart (refurbished?).

Then Dot drove rest of the way to Matlock Premier Inn through sometimes heavy traffic on M1 especially. Quite a nice room. Went out for walk in the wind and discovered a path by the River Derwent, plus a railway line. After a rest had a nice meal: Dot had fish and chips and I  had steak; both had prawn cocktail, wine and whisky (Taliesker). FaceTimed David for progress report.

Friday – Had full English breakfast – which was ok. Left by about 10.30 in overcast weather, with the occasional bit of blue creeping through and then retreating. I drove first, travelling through Buxton and on by a familiar rout along the A6, past Lyme Park and so on. painfully slow. Eventually skirted Manchester airport on a new dual carriageway with ridiculous 50mph limit. Eventually with help from my excellent navigator found our way on to the M61 and made good progress most of the time. It eventually merged with the M6 further up than I expected.

Stopped at Lancaster services, which was pretty terrible – not enough parking, too many people – and got a plug to enable Dot to charge her phone. Had forgotten to bring one. Also filled up with petrol and Dot took over driving. Called in at the wonderful Tebay and had a bite to eat. Parking there now more extensive. After resuming and crossing Shap it started to rain quite heavily, but we made it to Scotland. Quite a good room at Lockerbie/Annandale Water. Had a bite from Cornwall bakery, then later a bit more from Costa. Wrote a poem about the wildlife visiting McDonalds. Walked round lake a bit and took a couple of pix. Early night after failing to get Scotland TV on set in room. Bit chilly outside. 

Saturday – Dry and fairly warm. Left Annandale Water at around 10.30 and I drove north. Made good time, but left M74 too early and found myself on the M8 heading to Edinburgh. This would have been OK, but I tried to get back on the M90 and got in a muddle, even more so after I swapped and Dot drove. Tried to avoid congestion at Queensferry Bridge but went round in circles and visited some very uninteresting places. Eventually I decided to follow the guidance of Google Maps and eventually found ourselves on the Bridge – bit of a hold-up, but not too bad.

Then suddenly we were on the M90 heading for Perth and stopped at Kinross – services familiar from the past. On to Perth, where we joined the A85 and then the A93, stopping at Starbucks just outside Blairgowrie as usual.  I drove from there over the familiar route, hampered by a couple of cars most of the last few miles. They even turned into Golf Road ahead of me! After a rest, we got food from the Co-op, and later walked around the town in the sun, finding that the ATM had been removed and the bank shut. Booked a meal tomorrow at the Clachan Grill. Felt very tired. Had some food, but failed to make the TV work. Nevertheless we watched Rebus and the TV Cup Final highlights on Dot’s computer.

Sunday -Lots of rain morning and evening. Low cloud all day. Got up just in time for church. Very few there – probably more at St Augustine’s. Trinity Sunday.  Woman preacher quite good, but no anecdotes. Five hymns: organist very slow, congregation very quiet. After lunch drove to Log Cabin and looked round, then up to Lecht. Read a bit on way back. Stopped by tree. Drove over new bridge. In evening had dinner at Clachan Grill – or in fact Angus and Ale, which is a side part. Brilliant meal   – steak and brownie for me. Watched programme on Shetlands on Dot’s computer, then started watching what we thought was an hour’s programme on Morecambe and Wise’s 30  best bits, but it turned out to be two hours, and we couldn’t stop watching. Ended up watching final few in bed at midnight. 

Monday – Warm but showers later, some quite heavy. Slept in quite late. walked into town to see if Tourist office was open: it wasn’t. Then on to petrol station: it was, and got some petrol later. While I was checking Dot went to charity shop – I joined her and we bought three books and a top and necklace. Then to Byzantium, where we bought Dot two scarves – yellow and green. Then across road for lunch – bit early for me after late breakfast but I managed cheese and onion sandwich.

Then drove down to Loch Muick – heavy rain, but got nice pic of deer. Back to Aboyne, where we got cash from ATM (I forgot my Pin) and some food from Co-op, much bigger than Ballater’s. Then located Bridge Inn for meal with Ella next week and on to favourite spot on South Deeside road with view of Morven. Rain had stopped. We read for a while. Later had meal and contacted owner because TV didn’t work. (The husband rang back today, and we sorted it out.) David FaceTimed. We’re going to Oliver’s graduation ceremony (streamed). For some reason felt a bit ill towards end of evening and lay down for a while. Think it was a temporary thing. 

Tuesday – Yes, feel better today. Quite warm. Walked into town, bought food from Delicatessen, then went over to Tourist Information and then had scone and tea in corner cafe, followed by a walk down to the chemist, who diagnosed Dot’s boil and sold her some ointment etc, then over the road, where I bought a new shirt. Discovered crack in my iPhone screen – or hopefully in screen protector. Drove up on road above Balmoral and read for a while: took a couple of pictures. Then on to Braemar, where it was raining so heavily that we didn’t get out of the car. Then home via the back road beyond Balmoral.

Walked down to get some wine, then later walked up Golf Road to end and then back along edge of golf course. Prepared evening meal, and Dave and Julia arrived in taxi from airport about 7.15. Had evening meal – toad in the hole – chatted a bit and went to bed. 

The end of last Friday (May17) was also the end of David Wagner as manager of Norwich City. His departure will coincide with that of a number of players, including Sam McCullum and Ben Gibson. We had a street meet with Des and Chris, John, Jonathan, Ciara, Matthew and a bit of Phoebe. Watched Masterchef and the end of Granite Harbour, which was quite good.

Saturday was sunny and warm. Cooler late evening. John helped by putting our hanging basket back a peg or two, and Dot and I cleared up drive a bit. I removed weed from ladder alley. In the evening we went to St Luke’s to play in the Hippo ceilidh band for Carrie’s birthday. My finger was hurting when I practised, but it was OK on the night. Quite tiring, though. Band = Matt, Anna, Dot and me, Phil, Jaya and Alison. Oh, and Graham on drums.Lots of people there, including the Eastons, who we hadn’t seen for some time. 

Sunday was David’s birthday! Spoke to him early (for him) on FaceTime and watched him unwrap his parcels. Sunny and pleasantly warm. Drove to church and unloaded before parking – fortunately, because I had to park a very long way away. In the end didn’t play guitar, because we had a superfluity of musical talent: Matt, Anna, Dot, Phil and Steve. Did do the prayers, though: Pentecost theme. Heather did meditation – good, but she didn’t seem well. Phoebe there. Took Ray home – he was more cheerful but didn’t look too good. Had note from Des to say he’d taken our parcel in – pills and iPhone connections. In afternoon Dot read in the garden while I did a big clear-up in the house. Bridget and David arrived on train just before 6.30 and had a cup of tea before Dot took them home while I cooked duck. Over 4000 steps. Man City won title; Spurs 5th. Arsenal two points short. 

Monday was a bit cooler, but dry and quite pleasant. Rang up solicitors first thing to arrange a meeting with Anna – they rang back and we fixed Wednesday afternoon. Linda came and cut our hair. I paid her and Mr Prinsley. In the afternoon drove up to get my pills, and Dot got chemist to look at spot on her leg. He wasn’t sure but didn’t think it was anything bad. Afterwards we drove to Mousehold Heath and had an ice cream and a short walk. Felt quite tired. Cooked sea bass and later watched quite a bit of TV, including end of Spy/Master thriller, which was clever, and Blue Lights, which was brilliant. Had band on at end – Dea Matrona – who I really liked. Discovered Paul H is in Madeira. Started getting ready for holiday. 

Tuesday was cooler, but dry till early evening, when it started raining. Got most of my stuff ready for holiday. Drove up to Paul’s to drop in his present and card. Des came over to check on flowers that would need watering etc. Later Jonathan called to say courtesy light in car was on. Watched film – The Lavender Hill Mob – which was very good. Also the first episode of The Responder, which w as disappointing. I don’t think I liked anyone in it, but then it was set in Liverpool. 

Wednesday – Overcast , threatening rain (predicted), but it never came. In the morning Jude came to watch the next episode of The Chosen, following which she drove me to church for Bible study. Dot followed a few minutes later. Steve, Debbie and Ellie also present, and Phoebe came for the last few minutes. She had been to therapy (CBT) following a car crash as few weeks ago. We finished off Colossians 1, and then Dot and I drove home.

I finished off preparations for our holiday, while Dot went to get the car cleaned and buy a few things from Boots. Found water in the bottom of the boot: can only assume it came from a bottle that leaked, but there was a lot of it. 

Later in the afternoon I walked up to the solicitors to meet Anna and have a longish chat with Bethany to try to expedite Phyllis’s estate. Agreed just about everything, and were given a date for the money to be distributed – September 14 – which is 22 months after Phyllis died. And then there will probably be a further delay because of the minuscule US shares held (tax, etc). This is roughly the same date Bethany is due to deliver her baby, which means Fiona will be in charge. Can’t wait. Nothing against Fiona, but…  In the evening Dot went to orchestra – picked up by Janet –after we watched School for Scoundrels. Watched the end of Masterchef when she came home.

Sunday May 12th was warm and mainly sunny. Went to Cathedral in the evening to listen to Ashley Grote playing Messiaen on the organ. It was as if someone had created or come across this amazing machine that made a variety of interesting sounds if you learnt to use it. Unfortunately no-one had invented music yet: so there was a limit to what they could do with it. Or possibly like prog-rock, which showed people how clever you were without producing anything worthwhile. Watched an old episode of Hancock’s Half Hour, which was brilliant. 

Monday was still dry and mild, though clouds looked a little threatening during the evening. Caught up with just about everything – sent David some stuff for his birthday and booked a hotel at Matlock. Dot did a huge amount of work in the garden. She seems well now: I was a bit achy in my legs and feet. In the evening we gave Eleanor and Judy a lift to Claire’s for cake and compline. No Phil. Apparently his e-mail arrived late. For some reason Jonathan has power-washed our outside wall, which now looks a bit flakey, though clean. 

Tuesday was mainly overcast with some rain. Got bus into the city and bought a new iPhone from O2. Took some time, but Eurowoman was both friendly and efficient. Left phone there to charge up with apps etc and walked round M&S, but couldn’t find anything for Dot, though she tried a top on. Had a cup of tea and returned to O2, but still had to wait. Didn’t complete loading up till later in the evening. Had supper and went to Morrisons. David FaceTimed us later: his birthday parcels had arrived. Told us Oliver has a bad cold in the middle of his exams. Earlier Dot had long phone call with old college friend Christine Highmore, who moved house about six years ago and now lives near Aylesbury. 

Wednesday was overcast with quite a bit of rain, mainly light. Judy came round to watch another episode of The Chosen, and after a snack she left for church, and Dot and I walked up to the Octagon for a violin concert by Geneva Lewis, who was very, very good, though I liked some of the pieces more than others. It would also have been nice to be able to hear what she said when introducing the pieces, but apparently this had not been given a high priority. Maybe something to do with the fact that it was being recorded for Radio 3. Anna was in the audience, but downstairs and beyond reach.

Afterwards Dot and I walked up to meet Kim at Jarrold’s – at least that was the intention until I fell heavily on St Andrew’s Street, tripping over a road works sign. I cut my head and was quite shaken, though not as shaken as Dot was. She took me up to Boots, who were singularly unhelpful, refusing to even give me a glass of water. We had to buy paracetamol, plasters and wipes, and no-one on the staff wanted to get involved. The pharmacist was on a break. It was quite painful, but I was relieved that I hadn’t broken a limb, which could easily have happened and would have jettisoned our holiday. By contrast to Boots, when I was on the floor several young women showed a lot of concern and were anxious to help. I said I didn’t need an ambulance. The guy in charge of the roadworks was also very solicitous.

Anyway, we sorted ourselves out enough to walk down to meet Kim at Jarrold’s, had a cup of tea/coffee and talked for some time. She then accompanied us up to the top of London Street before parting ways. We continued down through the Close and home. Strangely I felt quite Ok to walk – better than I had for a few days.  At home we watched the excellent Blue Lights and I cooked a meal (salmon) before Dot headed off to orchestra with Janet. She had a good evening, and we watched Red Eye when she got home. Two excellent thrillers in one evening. 

Thursday – Head and finger no worse, though I felt a bit dizzy when I tried to open the loft. Actually feel reasonably well. Very wet morning: decided not to go to North Walsham, but got suitcases out of loft in preparation for holiday. Caught up with emails (again) and wrote an article for my website after a long gap. It was about falling over, and attracted about a dozen comments, though not all on Facebook. David FaceTimed us: Oliver is doing well with his exams despite his cold. Dot sorted out loads of stuff from the music basket, including the school song and a poem I had written set to music by someone. Bridget came and cleaned – concerned about my head! Later struggled to get into NOW to watch Norwich lose 4-0 to Leeds in playoff. They were pretty awful. Watched Masterchef to take our minds off it. 

Friday was ,much nicer: quite warm and dry. We drove to North Walsham via the recycling tip and left some glass and other electrical stuff – but forgot one big sheet of glass which was flat on the floor to the boot. So we called again on the way back: tip far less busy then (early afternoon). At North Walsham we bought flowers at Sainsbury’s, using our vouchers from the cancer research bloodletting a few weeks ago, then indulged in a meal deal (sandwich, crisps, drinks), which we consumed in the cemetery before putting flowers on graves.

Afterwards we called in at the garden centre on the way out of North Walsham and bought a new hanging basket, which John (over the road) helped us to put up later. Good garden centre, with coffee shop (we didn’t indulge this time). Bearing it in mind. Watched a bit of a spy thriller later in the afternoon.

It’s Sunday, May 12, sunny and warm, as it has been for a few days. There have also been some Northern Lights in the vicinity, and a rather large geomagnetic storm originating on the sun is about to hit us, though with what effect no-one really knows. Musk is worried about his satellites. We have just been to church, where Howard continued his sermon series on Ecclesiastes, and after the service we had a rehearsal of the ceilidh band for next week: I was a bit late for that, as I had to take Ray home. I’m not particularly good at ceilidh music anyway, but I disguise the fact quite well. Present: Dot, who is now much better vertiginously speaking, Anna, Phil, Alison, Jaya and Matt. So three violins, a cello, two guitars and a piano.

When we got home, we discovered that Jonathan had power-washed our front wall. The wall looked good, but the surroundings were a bit messy. Still, nice of him. While we were out, Norwich drew 0-0 with Leeds in the home leg of the Championship play-offs.

Going back to Monday May 6 , it was mild with some sun. Dry. The Bank holiday weather forecast was completely wrong. Dot was feeling quite a lot better, but I felt very tired with pains in lower body and upper thighs. Hard to get up from a sitting position on sofa. Caught up with lots of stuff in the afternoon. Dot drove up to Homebase and Garden Centre, and I walked up to meet her at Ketts Hill roundabout. We then called in briefly at the Rosary. Longish phone call with Paul, partly about his June 3 party, which we had failed to tell him we can’t to go to because we’ll be in Scotland. Watched a bit of snooker world championship, won by Wilson. Also Blue Lights, still brilliant. Cooked duck again. Pretty good. 

Tuesday – Sunny and mild. Dot much better: I felt really tired halfway through the day, but not too bad generally. We both went to the Archant pensioners’ breakfast, which was sparsely attended. Most of the time sat with Richard Batson, then David Wakefield turned up, but no-one else from editorial. Robin and Shelagh at home with suspected Covid/flu. Afterwards went up to fetch my pills – Heartsease roundabout open after many months. Then drove down Thunder Lane to buy stamps – all post offices near us are shut – and on to Morrisons, where Dot bought a few things and I went to Boots to make sure my loyalty card remained activated. Bought water, Coke and some eye-soothing stuff.

Dot did quite a lot in the garden, having bought a new plastic greenhouse which she erected. I cleared up in the house, booked the Lindisfarne Inn and applied for my next driving licence (every three years after you’re 70). In the evening we drove to Sussex Street, parked and walked to DCC meeting at Howard’s. On time for 7.30 – unfortunately it was 7pm. There you go. Judy was late too. Longish meeting but all went well. Walked back to car and drove home to watch pigs dying on Clarkson’s Farm. Very sad. 

Wednesday was another mild and dry day, with plenty of sun. Dot was feeling quite a bit better, and so was I. Went to church together, and I led Bible study. She had a bit of a turn during it, but not too bad. (Debbie, Judy, Ellie, Phoebe, Steve: finished Philemon and switched to Colossians.) In the afternoon she spent quite a time in the garden, creating a new seating area. I cleared up indoors. We watched another episode of Red Eye, a rather good thriller that takes place in an aircraft. In the evening I went to Halesworth for poetry. Nice to see Lynn, Elizabeth, Sue F and Sue M, Kaaren, Marianne and others, but it’s a long way to go to read two poems, one of them without an introduction (because of time constraints). Good journey both ways, though, and home well before 10pm. Dot now has a very sore finger – something else to worry about. However she put something on Diderot and spoke to David about it. 

Thursday dawned mainly sunny, mild and dry. Just right, really. Drove over to a Poringland to see Anne and Philip and deliver Anne’s birthday presents. Had tea/coffee, then went to visit Thelma, who is now bedbound but still fairly cheerful. Very hard to communicate because of her deafness. Showed her a couple of pics of Joanne, Eddie, Sandra, Phil and Joy, but she didn’t really recognise anyone. Also showed her some old family pix (on my phone), in which she was more interested. Bridget was cleaning when we got home; had a chat with her in the garden. Had quite a late meal (yellow haddock), then tidied room up, including updating Cornerstone sheets and cutting driving licence in half as requested – part of the process of getting a new one. Watched a bit of TV – on coastguard rescues, which I find strangely fascinating, and Vegas/Gibson comedy. Dot not feeling too bad: same with me, given moments of fatigue. 

Friday – you guessed it: sunny and warm. Took Dot up to Spire Hospital for appointment with Mr Princely about her vertigo. Half an hour – pretty thorough. He felt her balance was a bit off, but no BPPV at the moment. As it seemed to be improving he suggested leaving it for a couple of months, with the option to come back if it got worse. She had a walking on the spot test, in which she veered markedly to the right, to her astonishment. Nice surroundings. In the afternoon I posted my driving licence (cut in two) back to DVLA. The new one had already arrived. Watched quite a bit of TV and went out for street meet – big gathering (Des, Chris, John, Jonathan, Sean, Ciara, Phoebe, Matt, Angela, Sarah – and Mary for a moment). Fish and chips. More TV. Very tired. 

Yesterday was – yes – warm and dry, but failed to go out because I was writing Parish Pump pieces on Tolkien, Gideons and York Minster. Also practised ceilidh songs and hymns for tomorrow with Dot and watched a fair bit of TV, including more of Clarkson’s Farm. Spurs won for a change. Had four-way FaceTime with David, Oliver and Amy. Everyone seemed pretty jolly. Dot did quite a lot in the garden after buying some clematis from the garden centre (Highways). She also had very long phone call with Angela. 

Tuesday April 30 was fairly mild, and dry till mid-evening. Decided to do some tidying up on parents’ and grandparents’ graves; so I drove up to  the back entrance of the Rosary with tools and stone cleaner. Took a while: was feeling pretty tired by the end. When I got home discovered that Dot had had really bad vertigo and rang the doctor. She fixed an appointment for tomorrow afternoon (“I am desperate”) and has been pretty fragile the rest of today. So I hung out the washing and later got it in  (it was raining) and dried it. Watched a bit of TV (Blue Lights is really excellent), then I cooked duck and sweet potatoes for Dot – I had fried ordinary potatoes. I then cleared up – had run the dishwasher earlier – and made sure the kitchen was OK.  Went to bed quite early. Des not back from Lichfield – bit worrying. 

Wednesday  was warm and mainly sunny. Tried to start on sermon, but didn’t get very far. Dot not too good in the morning. Bridget came at 11.30 to do the cleaning and at 1pm I zoomed into a Norfolk Record Office talk on St Benet’s Abbey mill, which was fairly interesting, but I would have like a bit more on the Abbey itself. Took Dot to see doctor in afternoon – took two hours altogether, including about 45 minutes waiting in surgery and about half an hour with Dr Hampsheir, who was very good and sort of recommended she should go private. Dot will ring tomorrow. He also gave her a pill that has helped.

On the way home Riverside Road was badly gridlocked – took us about 20 minutes from roundabout. When we went to Morrisons about 90 minutes or more later it was still quite bad: appeared to be some kind of holdup beyond Carrow Road. Still, shopping was fairly easy and Dot seemed much better. Later Des and Chris got home – they’d had a rough time helping their daughter at Lichfield with her new baby (Archie) after an emergency Caesarean. Des popped over and got the whole vertigo story. Watched Professor T, which included the death of my favourite character. Great. 

Thursday was another warm and dry day, which I failed to take advantage of because I was writing my sermon, which I did manage to finish. Took Dot up to get her usual pills, then she spent much of the rest of the day – despite her vertigo – preparing the meal for tomorrow. Des came over again and gave us an alfonso mango, which was delicious. Harriet also dropped by, but I dissuaded her from speaking to Dot. My head was very poppy all day, and I had an on-off pain in my side which may have been gas. Watched the film Widows in the evening – not what I expected, but well done, though it didn’t make you feel good. 

Friday was grey and wet. Anne and Philip came round for lunch. Philip managed better than I had imagined, though of course he moved very slowly. He certainly hasn’t lost his appetite – Dot did a lovely salmon dish with potatoes, tomatoes and asparagus, followed by a sticky toffee and pear pudding. Really nice. Philip got upstairs ok and we had quite a long talk. Then cleared away, and it was too wet for street meet; so Des and Chris came over here for a couple of hours. Had a very early night, and Dot went to sleep quickly. I have finished my The Rest is History book. Dot’s vertigo was bad in the morning, but better for quite a while after she took her pill – both times. Philip thinks she’ll be all right if she takes her medication and drinks two glasses of water. He said that several times. 

Saturday was quite pleasant: dry and reasonably warm. Dot still suffering with vertigo off and on. Went up to church for clearing out in the morning as I was feeling reasonably well, but there really wasn’t anything to do – at least there probably was, but I couldn’t work out what it was. Spoke to several people who inquired about Dot. Back to watch Norwich’s final match of the season on NOW: had a lot of trouble getting it on big screen and then wished I hadn’t bothered, because they played really badly, losing 1-0 to Birmingham, who were relegated. No apparent effort. Later updated sermon slightly and went for a walk over Bishop Bridge, down to the Great Hospital and across to the lawn in The Close, then home. Cooked sea bass but was very tired and not hungry. Watched a bit of TV, including Clarkson’s Farm series three and The History Boys, which is brilliant. 

Sunday was quite mild, with a fair bit of sun. Dot has been feeling much better, but didn’t go to church. I played in the band and gave the sermon – on love – which went down quite well. Took Ray home as usual. he is going a bit downhill.  Had a problem with my stomach and lower back later on, but we went out for a walk round the riverside path to the Adam & Eve, then back through The Close. Des took my air rifle to see if a guy he know can do something with it. In the evening watched a few things. Ate while Amy FaceTimed us. Later on, when we were in bed, David FaceTimed us. Earlier had almost gone to Lowestoft for poetry, but realised in time it was next week. At least, I think it is.