Friday, June 26 – Quite a bit of rain, but still warm. We gave up the idea of going to Cairngorm, partly because of the weather and partly because of Amy’s exertions the day before. Walked into town and had lunch at the Rothesay Rooms, then called at the bookshop and the chemist. Later filled up car with petrol and drove to the Burn O’Vat, where we walked, and the rain reduced. Amy and I climbed into the Vat, but Dot wisely abstained again.

After popping into the visitors’ centre we drove to our favourite spot the other side of the Dee just beyond Dinnet , where the rain increased and we stayed put. Amy rang her mum and and I read a little bit. Then home and settled in for our last night together. Had a light tea after watching the cricket, where Duckett was lucky and New Zealand unlucky, losing two wickets that were probably not out. Cleared up and Amy got ready to go at 8am tomorrow.

Saturday – Threat of rain but mainly dry. Windy. Alarm at 7am, and we were ready to go just after 8am. Only one slight error en route, and we arrived at Aberdeen rail station in good time for Amy to catch her train. Slight problem for us on exiting when I lost the car for a minute, and then couldn’t find the right pay point, but we drove out for free again, so that was all right.

Straightforward drive back to Ballater, where we decided to book at the Green Inn. This turned out to be an excellent decision: meal was the best of the fortnight. Started with limoncello spritz and olives, then both had lamb with mashed potatoes, vegetables and superb sauce. This was followed by tiramisu made with limoncello for Dot and an absolutely superb chocolate mousse with icing, fruit and ice cream for me.

Earlier we finished clearing up for tomorrow’s departure, then had a rest before doing an unintentionally long walk round the golf course river path – much changed from before floods. Threat of rain didn’t really materialise but Dot was tired; so I went to fetch the car while she made her way to the barracks, where I met her. Then she called at the Co-op for last-minute stuff. All the while we were checking Amy: she was making excellent progress.

I had a bath and Dot had a shower before going to the Green Inn   Afterwards I managed to get the Test Match on iPlayer and Dot made sandwiches for tomorrow. Steps today ( about 12000) longest on holiday; monthly total for June longest for a year (155,000 so far). 

Sunday – Windy but reasonably warm. Up early and packed and ready to go at 09.30. Went to Brown Sugar for breakfast, but it wasn’t open. Nor was anything else; so we went back to house so that Dot could have some coffee. Still out by 10. Dot drove as far as Blairgowrie Starbucks, where we had coffee/tea and croissant/pain au chocolat. Waitress so Scottish it was hard to understand her, and I needed help opening the loo door, for which we had been given a code.

Then I drove, and we stopped at Kinross Services as usual – but this time for a loo break after eating sandwiches in car. (Dot had prepared them.) Then on through ludicrous and unintelligible speed limits, past zero-action road works. Dot suggested one lane was being allowed to lie fallow so that it could regenerate. Also very heavy traffic around Edinburgh, nearly all of it exceeding what seemed to be the speed limit.

And on to the bottom of Scotland at Berwick and into England until we reached the Lindisfarne Inn, where we booked in. We had been given a disabled room for some reason, but it was quite comfortable, though no bath. Drove down to Holy Island crossing and took a few pictures (it was high tide). Lovely views. Then back to the inn, where we were pestered by a fly, and the WiFi was feeble. Had a rest, then up to the restaurant, where I had steak and ale pie and Dot didn’t. We both had cocktails afterwards, then went for a short walk.

Later watched an old Death in Paradise and the day’s Test highlights on YouTube. Couldn’t get iPlayer. Ben Stokes retired from international cricket in the middle of it, and England’s batsmen then started hitting wildly. Lost four wickets by close of play. Somewhere in there I killed the fly. It was the least I could do. Dot took out her computer, which was also dead, and spent some time trying to get it to work properly…. Apparently it had been switched off for a fortnight. 

Monday – The long journey home. Dry, but cloudy much of the time and very warm in places, especially near Durham, where we had a water break. Earlier we had a good breakfast at the Lindisfarne Inn and drove over to the island, just to say we’d done it. Also filled up with petrol. Dot drove as far as Durham services – not a very inspiring piece of road with confusing speed limits – again. Some fast bits of road going south on the A1, and some mysteriously slow bits too – presumably because of heavy traffic. Not sure why.

Took the A1 shorter route, which has the downside of being boring and quite slow. Stopped at services somewhere (everywhere looks the same) and I went to the loo, where there was only toilet paper in one cubicle – not enough. Dot drove down A17 towards Lynn – a horribly slow road with horribly slow drivers on it. Eventually we swapped again to stop her screaming (mentally) and I drove the rest of the way, taking in the extensive new work after Dereham and before the southern bypass. Didn’t recognise much of it.

Drove down Unthank Road  and then through the city, arriving home about 5.45pm. No sign of neighbours, but we managed  to unpack everything and put the cases in the loft. Not only that, we saw the end of the third test, won by New Zealand, as was the series. Exhausted, we got to bed at about 11pm. Both phones almost out of charge. Why is this? Replies and suggestions welcome. 

Sunday: Midsummer’s Day. Warm; sometimes very warm. Quick breakfast and a call at the Co-op and Delicatessen by Dot, plus booking at the Indian by me. Then to Spittal of Glenmuick, which was fairly busy, but no trouble finding a parking space. Had a bite to eat, then to visitors’ centre, where Dot recorded birdsong. We then walked down to the beach at the end of the loch, which a family of eastern descent had mistaken for Bombay beach. So a bit noisy. Amy and I had gone on ahead, but Dot eventually made it: she said she found it easier walking on her own because was still hampered by pain in her leg. I went back a bit to accompany her on the last bit to the bridge, while Amy explored a bit more.

Views very good: Lochnagar totally clear. Amy and I went ahead on the return trip, and after going to the loo walked up to the ruins of an old settlement near a stream. Amy nearly trod on an adder. Got back to visitors’ centre at as Dot arrived: she was in conversation with a woman who also had leg problems. Then drove home and rested. Went to Indian at 7pm and had a good meal. I was mistaken for Jeremy Corbyn, which is a first. Very jolly waiters in the restaurant. Nice atmosphere. Walked home very tired indeed – over 11,000 steps today. Spent a long time looking at each other’s photos, especially those from when Amy was   young. Put blog on website and then wrote today’s, just before midnight. We lost the second test. No surprise there. 

Monday – Warm but some rain. Slept late. Drove to log cabin for breakfast. Had my usual egg mayonnaise sandwich, and we all enjoyed the food. Went over to graveyard and saw two oystercatchers (parents?) with one active little chick. Managed to get a couple of photos. Then – having earlier dropped in at the Lecht and the Watchers – we revisited the valley bridge, which Amy remembered. Quite a steep walk down and up, and it rained while we were there. Dot and I walked back ahead of Amy, but she almost caught us up at the top.

Then drove down to Lochnagar view, which was good – the rain had stopped. Amy walked down Ben Avon track on her own and visited the remains of the old village. We then drove home, calling at the Co-op, and eventually had our evening meal. Dot and I had pies and mash, and Amy had something plant-based pretending to be chicken. Later I had another game of chess with Amy, followed by a discussion about tactics! Dot is enjoying a Tom Clancy novel in which lots of people get killed. I edited my pix and put some of them on shared album – Scotland. Amy ended evening by playing us a song by Halsey and Lyndsey Buckingham. Very good, as it happens. 

Tuesday – Very warm and dry. Bit slow to get going, but eventually drove to Balmoral and parked in the shade for £6, which is a pretty standard fee. Walked quite a lot inside the estate, starting with a snack (quite a large one in Dot’s case) and a quick look round the expensive gift shop. Then a tour of the ballroom, not as interesting as usual because it concentrated on the late Queen and ended up with much fewer pictures.

Then down to the river, where Amy ventured out on the rocks, then was disappointed not to be able to find the pet cemetery. This area was new to Dot and myself, but we got back on familiar ground by visiting the guest house and then the gardens. Amy tried to find the path up into the hills but was blocked by closed gates for gardening work. So back across the lawn to the restaurant for a drink (Amy and Dot shared a cake). Getting towards 4pm when the estate was closed, so we headed for the exit. I went ahead and brought the car up to the gate. We drove home, and Dot and I went to sleep. Think Amy may have done too. Later had light meal – salad, cheese and some fruit – and Amy solved a chess puzzle. Then watched dreary 0-0 draw between England and Ghana. Lots of fouling by Ghana, no inspiration by England. 

Wednesday – Pleasantly warm. Drove to Cambus O’May bridge to give Amy a look, then on to Aboyne, where we met Ella for lunch. We were a bit early, so walked to bridge first. She didn’t look any different. I had a fish board followed by a risky afrogato, which included coffee and whisky. Really nice time together – Amy took to her.

Then drove by a very lengthy route including many back roads to Pennan, which was looking very smart, apart from the Inn, which has become a restaurant. We stopped in there for a drink when it opened at 5pm. Before that we walked up and down, Amy did some exploring on the rocks and Dot met a 50-something lady in blue who runs a coffee shop. She also lives in the village – much of which is second homes. But owners come very frequently, and Shona said there was quite a community.

Sea very calm, nice colours. We drove on to Corvie, with its clifftop view, then Dot took over for the drive home, mostly by our usual route on the A97. Back at Ballater we went to the Co-op and had had something to eat. My left thigh muscle was very sore. Dot and I watched the first half of Brazil v Scotland, but Amy went to bed, wondering whether to climb Lochnagar tomorrow. Scotland lost 3-0.

Thursday – warm and dry, with a bit of a distant threat in the sky at evening. Went to Brown Sugar for a snack, then we set out on Amy’s Expedition. We drove to Glen Muick and then set her on the path to Lochnagar. We followed her at a distance. Dot turned back after a bit more than half a mile; I went further, aiming to get beyond the woods until I realised I was already tired. So turned back and joined up with Dot on the bridge.

We drove back to Ballater while monitoring her progress. After refreshment walked to butcher and bought something for the evening, then drove to Lark’s Gallery and bought some cards and a dish. Then Co-op and later parked in a lay-by just outside town as she reached the summit. She then disappeared for a while as she made her way down past the waterfall.

We returned to Glen Muick and had some contact with Amy as she emerged by the loch. Worked out she would arrrive about 8pm and saw she was crossing by the beach. Eventually I saw her through my binoculars and went ahead to meet her. She was in surprisingly good condition. and not thirsty enough to drink our peach-flavoured water. Back. to the car – and a bit beyond for Amy, who was completing an electronic trail. Then home again and an evening meal – we had pies from the butcher, and Amy had her own thing. Climbing Lochnagar was a great achievement for her – few other walkers about. She loved the views and the whole experience, I think.

Monday, June 15 – Dry and warm in the sun, but a cool wind.  Got up quite late, had breakfast and then drove over to the log cabin and on up the Lecht – mainly to check if the road was open. There were notices warning of closure, but on closer inspection I think these referred to a few dates in the future. On the way back we stopped at the Watchers viewpoint, and I got a couple of good pictures. Also nearly lost the car because the handbrake was only half on: I detected a movement when I opened the boot and was able to retrieve the situation. Also saw an eagle in the far distance, pointed out by someone with really good binoculars.

Back down to the cabin, where we had broccoli and stilton soup and tea and cake. Looked round but all the stuff we used to look for (such as shirts) was no longer stocked. Dot bought a small Highland cow for Bridget. Looked in graveyard and disturbed an oystercatcher that had nested there. It was quite indignant, but didn’t fly off because it had two chicks. So got good view of it and pix.

After that drove back via Lochnagar view route. Had phone call from Kim and arranged her visit on Thursday/Friday. Later walked round town, called at Co-op and checked out  some restaurant menus. Also looked for Ella’s temporary cottage but couldn’t find it. Dot had problem with her leg – she seems to have pulled a  muscle; so she waited outside the Co-op while I fetched the car. Bit worrying.

Had a light supper and watched Belgium 1 Egypt 1. France have also drawn 0-0 with Cape Verde, wherever that is. Dot went to sleep during the match, but then cleared up while I searched fruitlessly for the food caddy. Car is now parked up the road, where it’s wider and safer, apparently. Saw a hedgehog on the way back from checking it. Why a hedgehog should be checking our car, I don’t know…

Tuesday – Cold wind, especially at first, but dry. Woke late. After breakfast I went and booked a table at the Indian, while Dot went to Byzantium, her favourite clothes shop. I joined her there and picked out a yellow top and some brown patterned trousers for her. Fortunately, she liked them too. Then drove down to Loch Muick – practically nothing on the road. Paid £6 to park and then walked to cabin, where we got talking to a couple of cyclists from Kinross. There were just retired.

Dot used walking poles and her leg felt much better as we took the path along to the Chapel Mounth junction. Spotted some deer up on the  hillside and managed to get a few pictures, though they were some distance away. Back to the cabin to research some birdsong, and then to the Birkhall turning, where the bridge was destroyed in the 2016 floods. The bridge is now completely gone  and all approaches to it blocked, mainly by nettles, gorse and so on. We couldn’t get a decent view at all. Royalty taking advantage of nature to increase privacy, you might say.

Proceeded home and had lunch; message from owner revealed that he no longer used the food caddy because of the sort of thing he found in it. Intriguing. Had lunch, including strawberries and cream outside for Dot, read a bit, after I’d retrieved the books from the car. then went to sleep, and Dot woke me just before 6pm, which was just as well because our table was booked for 6.30pm. Quick change, and a nice meal at the Lochnagar, but too much rice. Chatted to manager afterwards and Dot got a free limoncello. Watched France beat Senegal 3-1 after being denied an obvious penalty, then Dot phoned David and gave him and Chrissy a tour of the house on FaceTime. So a bit late going to bed in the end. 

Wednesday – Rain overnight and again at end of day, but in between plenty of blue sky, though the wind was chilly. Walked into town together and went into Wilkie’s – Dot bought some coasters and one or two other things. Then popped into the library, which used to be the tourist office until the Government stopped funding them.  Woman in newsagent who was taught by Ella (for whom she had much respect) said the way the station had been refigured after the fire was all wrong.

Back to the cottage, then drove to Braemar, where we had soup (Dot) and scone (me) for an exorbitant price. On to Linn of Quoich, where we crossed bridge and walked up to the cottage, which has been beautifully recrafted as the place where Queen Victoria had picnics. Really well done. After sitting by the Linn for a while we walked down the long way, because it was easier on Dot’s leg. Sat in car for a while reading, then drove back to Ballater, dropping in on the cheese factory at Cambus O’May to check that it was still operating.

Had supper (sausage rolls) and then watched highlights of the second test match v New Zealand, followed by live action from England’s first World Cup match, in which they beat Croatia 4-2. Quite an exciting match. Dropped TV remote and then couldn’t find batteries cover despite an exhaustive search. Perhaps there never was one… Trouble with teeth today for some reason. Very sensitive at times. 7500 steps. 

Thursday – Cold at times and windy. But mainly dry. Kim arrived a bit later than expected, accompanied by Kian and Alex, who comes from Norfolk. They left to look round Ballater, and we took Kim to the Lecht. Stopped at the Watchers, where it was extremely windy; then put our nose into Moray before heading back to the log cabin. Dot and Kim had cake, and I had a delicious egg mayonnaise sandwich. Checked on graveyard and found oystercatcher again, but on the wall. Still noisy.

Back in car, drove over to Balmoral past Lochnagar view, which was non-existent in view of heavy clouds. On to Lochnagar distillery, where we were entertained by very knowledgable whisky man and bought a few things, including some whisky. Loads of potholes in back road. Back in Ballater I bought a shirt. In the evening we went to the Clachan Grill and I had steak. Met a couple from Norfolk: the man was in the year after me at CNS! Now living in Beverley, Yorks. Walked home – Dot’s leg playing up again. Had quite a long chat about the Church – nice to speak to someone on our wavelength. 

Friday – Showers, quite chilly at first. Milder later.   Drove down to Linn of Quoich again. Deer at far side of overspill car park. Road through to them closed for resurfacing, which was ongoing. Walked with Kim up to junction with Chapel Mounth path again, but visibility poor. Returned to Ballater and did shopping – Dot in Co-op and Kim in wood shop. I went to fetch car because Dot’s leg bad again. Drove to Cheese Factory for light lunch – I had really good croque monsieur. Then on to Burn o Vat. Kim climbed in, but Dot couldn’t and didn’t really want me to, so I stayed with her.

Then on to Kian’s place at Dyce – only the satnav led us astray and Kim failed to realise the centre of Aberdeen wasn’t really right. So I stopped and we re-entered the postcode; it turned out we were nowhere near Dyce and heading in the wrong direction. From there, though, it was straightforward, though it took an extra 20 minutes. East Lodge, Kian’s place, is lovely with a beautiful garden including a model railway.  He and Alex laid on food and drink, including lovely lavender biscuits made by Alex. Discussed going to Dyce station and getting a train in, but glad we didn’t. Despite dire warnings from Kian, the journey was straightforward and station parking easy to find and – it turned out – free. Waited about 20 minutes for Amy, who turned up as scheduled. Drove back to Ballater – again straightforward. Had tea and a conversation with David and Oliver, then went to bed. After midnight. Very tired. 

Saturday – Warmer and dry. Up pretty late, then went to corner café for breakfast. I had Amy’s egg. Went to Co-op and some other shops, including the charity shop, where Amy bought some walking boots for £8. Dot drove to Braemar and beyond; then I took over and drove to Linn of Quoich. Dot was feeling much better; so walked up to punchbowl with no problem and looked round house again. Amy did a bit of exploring on her own, then I walked up with her to a point further upstream, which involved uneven steep steps. Amy was going further but I think she was reluctant to let me go down the steps on my own, so we returned to Dot together.

All used the usual return path, which is a bit steep but interesting. Drove back to Braemar, where we took a quick look at the Highland Games arena, which has had a bit of a makeover. Then drove back to Ballater, hampered a bit by cars not going quite slowly enough to overtake, and bought some petrol at the 24-hour serve-yourself garage. This worked all right: we had tried but failed at Braemar. Had salady supper and watched a bit of test cricket, which England appeared to be losing. Also had two games of chess with Amy – she’s not bad. Sky bright.  Earlier Amy showed us a vlog of her adventures in Paris with her friends. They seem a nice bunch. 

Tuesday, June 9 – Sunny and warm to start with, but began raining at lunchtime. Showers after that, with thunder and lightning in the distance. However, Dot managed to finish her washing in time. Meanwhile I was transferring another large batch of slides to my computer, and have now finished. Some of them good, others disappointing, until you realise some of them are nearly half a century old. Tidied up the study by  removing slides: they are now back under the bed in the spare room. Tidied up rest of room as well.

This evening went to Cake and Compline at Bridget and David’s. Gave Jude a lift. Claire, Phil and Nikki absent, and Vicki had to leave early to meet her brother at the station. Their mother is recovering at home from an operation to remove a benign tumour from near the top of her spine. Bit late home: watched part of a programme on the 2006 World Cup. 

Wednesday – Lots of heavy showers, occasional bursts of blue and rainbows. Mild. Went to Morrisons, bought enough food to cover rest of week, plus some petrol. Message from Tricia asking for help with computer and phone problems. Not enough time to go over there; so recommended she call Chris the computer man, which I believe she did. Suggested buying a cheap phone for Brian, possibly from Amazon.

Kim called to ask us to take a sleeping bag to Scotland for her. We called in later and picked it up. That was after we drove to Salthouse to a Private View at the church: we go most years. Drink and nibbles. Spoke to vicar, Ian Dyble, who I know and who is also an artist. Also Tracy Ross and Charlotte Ashenden, who was delighted to see us. We kept trying to get together over last year but were never able to. Her husband is an Orthodox priest. She paints mainly portraits, and they’re really good.

Drove back and picked up sleeping bag, then had late meal of salmon, which was delicious. Watched Amandaland and a bit of another programme about Norfolk, during which I went to sleep. Woke up to clear stuff away and went to bed. I do that a lot. Earlier owner of Ballater cottage texted, and I responded. Also cancelled papers. 

Thursday – Wet and rather dismal weather. Not too cold though. Moved car into small space on road – which has become very congested recently – so that Linda could park in our drive while she cut our hair. Later moved it back in drive so that Sam had somewhere to park when she came home. After haircut had a bath and then an unusual lunch – bacon on toast. Got a few things ready for holiday. Start of World Cup: three red cards as Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. England had beaten Costa Rica 3-0 yesterday in warm-up friendly.

Over 3000 steps again, most of them indoors. Watched another episode of Clarkson’s Farm; not impressed by Christmas sequence, which betrayed appalling ignorance and some offensive elements too. Very sad. Watched a couple of episodes of The  Fortune, which seems to depend on everyone, especially the lead character, behaving in an irrational way. Last episode tomorrow. Des came round earlier to check on plant-watering duties! Rang Ray, who didn’t seem too bad: he’d been out to lunch. Dave E’s operation went all right, though he’s on crutches for a bit. 

Friday – Windy, threatened rain not materialising. Very windy but quite warm, especially in late afternoon and evening. Prepared for holiday with packing and sorting, and cut back ivy clinging to wall beside front porch. Felt extremely tired after that and lay down for a while. Street meet included Des, Chris, Mark, Jon, Ciara, Matt and new neighbours Simon and Josie (I think). We left before Sam arrived and had a meal at Gem – quite full, quite young, quite noisy.  I had some mezes followed by baklava, limoncello and Turkish coffee.

When we got home we did some final clearing up, and Dot finished reading her book. We also saw most of Canada v Bosnia in Toronto (World Cup).  Result 1-1 but Canada were better. Earlier saw final episode of The Fortune, a drama containing two suicides and a murder but no police. Intricate plot not entirely believable and succeeded only because the lead character kept rushing round without talking to any of her friends or family, and taking time off from her job in a small restaurant, which miraculously kept going. Would you lend this woman your car? No, nor me, but the restaurant owner did. 

Saturday – Cloudy, but only a few drops of rain. Chillier, though. Not a good night, but finished packing and set off at 11am, just half an hour late! No real hold-ups, though the unnecessary speed limits for non-existent road works became pretty irritating. Dot drove first, up to Cambridge Services (Boxworth), where she got a coffee from the Costa machine. I then drove to the M6 toll services, where we had sandwiches, and Dot took over. At the toll booth she got behind an idiot who blocked her lane while changing drivers – which they could easily have done after paying. Oh well – on to the M6 and good progress – we changed drivers and filled up with petrol at Charnock Richard, then on to Tebay Services in the Lake District – probably our favourite. Had a couple of scones, then back on the road to Annandale, which we reached about 7.30pm, having covered 380 miles. Interesting receptionist, but quite likeable. Had a McDonald meal after Dot persuaded assistant to explain how you ordered. Not great – the chips were practically cold. Took stuff up to room. Great view of the lake.  Watched long documentary about Harry and Meghan

Sunday – Bad night for both of us, though the room was good. Really like it there. Had breakfast after 9am at the pastry place: two delicious croissants. Liked them so much we took two more with us. Dot bought some tweezers from Smiths. Discovered Scotland had beaten Haiti 1-0. Dot drove north, and all went smoothly till we hit bad congestion just before Stirling. Usual thing – about 400 yards of actual activity surrounded by miles of lane closures.

When we got through it we called at Stirling services and bought some M&S stuff to go with pasty and sausage roll for supper. Then I took over and drove along the M9 through miles and miles of average speed cameras. Don’t think they realise that by making everyone go the same speed means it’s more dangerous to cross on to another carriageway.

Did the usual trick at Perth and headed up the A9 then across country via Stanley until we reached the great hedge of Meikleour, where we ate our second croissant each. then onwards through Blairgowrie and to Braemar, where they are still mending a bridge after two years, thence to Ballater. Bought some more petrol, and even then were three minutes early at our cottage. Total of over 550 miles.

Not overwhelmed by cottage. Furthest distance from bedroom to toilet of any house I’ve been in. Also owners eco-fanatics, which meant everything was very complicated. Still… it was fine weather, we looked at the river and a few shops and some menus. Bought a few things from Co-op and had our supper, finishing off the wine we brought. Unpacked and watched something about tigers, then wrote to Kim about her projected visit. Amy is in Verona.

Thursday, June 4 – Mixture of sun and (sometimes heavy) showers. Picked up Mike Read just before noon and drove to Fornham, near Bury St Edmunds, to see chess master Owen Hindle, now in his late 80s. Stayed there about 2 1/2  hours, watched some cricket on TV, and Owen and Mike talked chess with a little help from me. Owen went through two of his games – really fascinating thought process! He has a huge library – some of the books extremely valuable, since you ask.  His other interests include watching world news and sport on TV, plus Shakespeare biographies. He can’t walk very far. Liz (one of my former trainees) has new job with BBC at Ipswich. She and Mark help Owen a lot.

Usual hold-up on A11 – home just before 5pm with Bridget in mid-stint. A bit later her husband arrived and we had a chat, largely about his desire to retire: his job is taxing and unsatisfying.  Bridget wants him to retire, and I encouraged him to do so. In the evening we had pies and watched highlights of the first Test against New Zealand. England managed about 140, and by close of play NZ had lost six wickets for less than 50. Great fun. Heard from Ella and hope to see her during our second week: she is fishing all the first week!   

Friday – Much nicer day. Mainly dry but with a chilly wind, especially on the coast. Drove to Joyce’s house near the airport to pick her up and take her to Beeston Regis, where we met Fred and Sue at the  Priory Maze café just before noon. After sorting out a phone call from Ray, who wanted Sophie’s address, we went in and had an OAP meal! I had bangers and mash and apple crumble and ice cream, and Dot had jacket potato and sticky toffee pudding. Fred and I split cost – it was a kind of 80th birthday present for Joyce. Afterwards we all went to Fred’s caravan and sat outside to have a cup of tea. Bit chilly; so Fred and Dot erected a windbreak!

Drove home, dropping off Joyce and arriving in good time for the street meet. Much warmer in Norwich. Good attendance: Dot, me, Des, Chris, Matt, Joe, Sam, John Sissons, Paul from down the road and Mark back from Brazil! Dot and I had rosé. Afterwards Dot cooked fish and we watched the final episode of A Very Peculiar Practice, which was excellent. Dot couldn’t find a card she’d written for Jenny, and I had a peculiar sensation in my jaw – cross between a toothache and a strain. 

Saturday – Chilly again: mainly dry during day, but wet later. Late change of plan saw us picking up Sophie and driving to Briston, while Carrie drove Judy. All for Jenny’s birthday party at The Pavilion in Briston. Really good food. Bit odd not knowing hardly anyone there except those already mentioned. Sat next to Martin, who produces children’s books and told me all about it. At least Dot was on the other side, but she was being monopolised by Carrie,  who seems to be getting over the very recent death of her husband.

We know Jenny because she comes to church quite often despite living a long way away. She is very sweet and may or may not be between 60 and 70. She says 35.

Not very hungry after large meal and both felt dozy when we got home. Had a few biscuits later. Watched replay in colour of 1966 World Cup Final. Skill level very low. Possibly due to heavy ball, crap pitch and lack of fitness. Refereeing and commentating also dismal (not BBC). Pleas for cash for Alzheimer’s Society got very irritating, as was David Baddiel’s comment that it was a good job they had no goalline  technology. England’s third goal was clearly over the line, as you can tell by Hunt’s reaction.

Later watched another episode of drama that made us both very uncomfortable. A Few Days in August – could have been called A Few Days in Hell. Rounded off the evening with first half of warm-up match England v New Zealand. Not very impressed. Remembered I hadn’t paid Bridget. Feel like the left side of my face is falling off, but very, very slowly. 

Sunday – Warm and dry. In Norfolk anyway. Snow on Cairngorm. Up earlyish to get three plants from Heather up on Library Gardens to put in our garden – part of project to persuade bees and butterflies to look kindly on us. Afterwards went to church. Eleanor led, and Howard did a fascinating bit on Revelation – with projected pictures.

After lunch Dot went to look at updates to Harriet’s house, but dropped me off near Puppet Theatre so that I could walk round St James Quay – discovered there was only one way in or out by car. Walked back home via Adam and Eve and Cathedral Close. Later Dot planted one of the plants and I cooked supper – salmon. Afterwards watched England win at cricket plus a couple of other programmes, but went to sleep during documentary on tigers. Nice pix, but you kept wishing the film-makers would leave them alone. I don’t know why. Had a chat earlier with David on FaceTime: he has plan for new project linked to Diderot. 

Monday – Plenty of rain and not much sun, but Dot managed to plant a couple of the donated pro-bee items in pots in the back garden. Before that we drove to Muspole Street to pick up the repaired table from Richard McPhee, or Mr R J McPhee as the bank prefers to call him (yes, we did a bank transfer for £105).

I spent quite a long time catching up on various things – for instance, editing pictures and sending some to Joyce and Jenny; updating our bank account; and trying to decide whether a communication from O2 was a scam or not. I don’t think it was, but I ignored it. Wrote to Kim, Ella and Kristine, plus Anne Coomes to see if she can do without my Pump pieces this month. 

During a break in the rain I cut back ivy that was encroaching on the front door and put it in the bin. Cooked sausages for supper and in response to a phone call gave Nikki Carrie’s address so that she can go there and help with funeral preparation. Bit odd, but there you are. Walked round the house to reach well over 3000 steps and an average of just over 3000 for the month so far. Strange sensation in my jaw and head on the left side, but there you go. Forecast for Ballater next week not great. Must take a book or two.

For the first time in many moons, I forgot to write up my blog last night (Wednesday, June 3). Don’t know why. I’d spent quite a bit of the day scanning old pictures to my computer; so maybe I wasn’t focused on the present. Some of the pictures were very faded or blurred, which was sad: others were as new.Part of that time Dot was rehearsing at the orchestra – her last rehearsals, probably, till September, because she’s missing the centenary concert at the Cathedral: we shall be in Scotland.

It had been quite a different day – wet and with a thunderstorm in the evening, not quite overhead, but plenty of rain. Windy too; so it felt chilly. Before going to bed we watched Amandaland, brilliant as always. And I think I’ve fixed the problem with our landline, which hadn’t been ringing when someone called us. Found a second phone in the garage which critically had a set of instructions with it. I applied the latter to our current phone and managed to sort it out.

So back to last Saturday, which was warm again, but the forecast wasn’t so good. Up early because Robin arrived at 8.30 to install our new handrail on the upper stairs. I took a card up to the sorting office and booked seats at Snape for two concerts at the end of August. Not cheap. A bit later Dot went up to the Two Magpies on Timberhill to meet Anne and had a drink with her: she goes to Canada tomorrow, being picked up by taxi at 6.30am. At Toronto she has to catch a bus to Barrie. Great fun! Robin was finishing as Dot returned just before 3: he had also re grouted the bath and basin in the bathroom. We went to bed for a while, then I cooked supper: two beef pies, potatoes and courgette. Watched three more episodes of A Very Peculiar Practice and then the European Final between Arsenal and PSG, won on penalties by PSG when two Arsenal players (Eze and Gabriel) missed the goal completely.  

Sunday – Quite warm, but plenty of cloud. Anne on way to Canada. Went to church, which was pretty full for a joint service with St Luke’s. Graham led, and Sam from St Luke’s preached on Isaiah. We sat next to Eleanor, who seems to have become a regular. Helped Ray get back to his lift (Paul and Harriet): he walked very slowly and seemed quite ill. Worried about him. Had to park quite a way up Oak Street; so fetched car for Dot. Had a couple of croissants at church; so didn’t need much else for lunch. Played through the latest EnPassant chess games at home while Dot put in bowing marks on her orchestra music. Watched a bit of TV, including Death Valley, during which we both went to sleep, and the latest episode of Dear England, which is very well done. Had beef stroganoff, which was OK, followed by fruit. Conversation with David and Chrissy on FaceTime. Oliver and Sophie had a good time in Montreal, apparently, though it was a long drive. O is now back in London. Chrissy’s job sounds really good.

Monday – still quite warm, but plenty of cloud. Drove up to chemist with Dot to get our prescriptions, then via Thunder Lane to Morrisons to refresh our food stock. I cleared out quite a bit of paperwork from baskets in my room, and gave some cash to MAF and JFJ. After lunch Dot had a long phone call from Carrie about her husband’s death and the aftermath – difficulties with children of his former marriage. Lasted nearly an hour, during which I cleared up fairly thoroughly downstairs.

Later had a series of phone calls with Fred and Joyce, which resulted in our planning to take her to Felbrigg to meet him (and Sue) on Friday. Cooked venison burgers, which went down quite well, and put out bins. started watching a documentary about the Queen and Anthony Blunt, and just when it mentioned the power cuts in the 1970s, all our lights went out – as did everyone else’s. Quick conflab in street, but the power soon came on again – it had apparently been switched off so that engineers could deal with an emergency. Bit worrying. Finished watching documentary, plus the final episode of Dear England, which was really excellent. Dot got quite emotional about it. 

Tuesday – Wet, but not cold. So wet, in fact that when we got to the Town House for the Archant pensioners’ breakfast, rain was pouring through the roof opposite the door. Apparently it was being mended, though the staff didn’t seem convinced. Robin was on antibiotics and Tricia was having her hair done; so we were alone on our table. However we did have a good chat with Peter Franzen and with Eric and Linda towards the end. Peter had written a piece in the EDP this morning about a ridiculous cash-motivated 40mph limit on a small part of the NDR. I congratulated him.

On the way home Dot called in at Boots and Morrisons, the latter to get flowers for Carrie. She went to see Carrie later and found her improved: her granddaughter was there. I transferred some slides to my computer, once I’d remembered how to use the scanner machine. Had light supper (because of big breakfast). Felt cold later in the day; so turned heating back on. Watched a new drama called The Fortune which was a bit strange, but not as strange as the comedy we watched earlier, which was truly bizarre.