Second day back from Scotland, where it rained every day but we had a great time, because in Scotland it doesn’t rain all day (well, hardly ever); so it was also dry every day, and we did plenty. In fact, I put together a diary of events, which I shall now slide seamlessly into. You won’t even notice the join.
Thursday 16 July
Dot drove us to the Horse and Jockey Premier Inn near Dunstable, where we were greeted by rain and a dismal forecast which, it turned out, was not wrong.
Friday 17 July
Picked up David and the children at 10am. Dot transferred to David’s car, and we drove north. Stopped at M6 Toll, then Lancaster. Heavy rain from Manchester to Gretna: difficult driving. Reached Abington around 6pm, had a meal in the restaurant (uninspiring) and an early night.
Saturday 18 July
Overcast, and rain from Perth as we travelled north. Drove our usual route and stopped at Balnathie café near Stanley, then on to Braemar for lunch in the Fife Arms. Bought food and arrived at Mar House, near Inverey, just before 3pm. Everyone impressed with house, if not with weather. Took a short walk when the rain eased a little. The house was as good as advertised: spacious and warm in a secluded position. Started reading a Val McDermid thriller I found there.
Sunday 19 July
Woke to find baby deer in garden. Much better, drier day. Drove to Ballater and climbed Craigendarroch. Oliver was very quick and loved the experience. An excellent lunch at the Station Café, then walked through to look at the station – now £2 a throw, but with bright new royal carriage on show. Good value, really. Back via Gairn bridge; bit of rain. Followed pipers through Braemar. The Open golf was won by Stuart Cink after play-off with Tom Watson, who fell apart. Englishmen 3, 4 and 5.
Monday 20 July
Mainly dry, but windy. Drove to the Log Cabin for some food, then walked down to Corgarff valley bridge, much enjoyed by the children. Back through heavy shower to Braemar, where we did some food shopping, plus one or two other things.
Tuesday 21 July
Started very warm, ended with constant rain. To Glen Muick, where Oliver and I walked to the loch while the other three went back to Ballater to buy something warm for Amy, as it had become chilly. Eventually met up again and had a good time, involving a certain amount of splashing. Finished Val McDermid thriller.
Wednesday 22 July
Wet at first, then showery. Drove to Cairn Gorm and went on the mountain railway, after having lunch at the Bridge of Brown. Dry and good for viewing at the top: saw heavy rain approaching but missed most of it.
Thursday 23 July
Pouring rain to start with – took children into Braemar to buy food. Later weather improved a lot, and we went up Creag Chonnich – lovely climb and superb on top, and children enjoying it again. Had takeaway for evening meal. Chips with everything.
Friday 24 July
Decided at last to go to Linn of Quoich, just down the road. Had been a bit hesitant because the rocks and fast-flowing water make it dangerous, at least to small children. But all turned out OK, and both Oliver and Amy were very careful. Drove to Braemar for meal in Gordon’s restaurant, using an unauthorised short cut across the bridge! Then back to house. Later Oliver and I went out exploring and found the stream rumoured to be on the property – the Corriemulzie Burn. Climbed down to it and found a waterfall and the remains of a quite extensive dam. Tried unsuccessfully to cross stream, then climbed back up bank and found path round top, which brought us first to a limekiln – which looked like a stone shelter – then to the footbridge. Oliver was very good at walking in rough country and was a pleasure to be with. The path back on the other side was blocked by a locked gate, so we returned by the same path and crossed the meadow to the house. Meanwhile Dot and Amy had been out for a shorter expedition.
Saturday 25 July
Final day with children. Managed to get out of house by 10am, meeting cleaning party including caretaker at gate. Drove on to Ballater and went into house. Then walked golf course path by river and the children enjoyed some time on the rocks.
Back to town and had lunch in The Bothy, a new restaurant. Afterwards back to house (a wedding was taking place in the house opposite, complete with piper, much to the fascination of the children), and David and the children left just before 3pm. Dot and I went into town and she bought a top from her favourite shop. Bought wine and postcards and wrote them back at house. Had message that David had arrived safely at Abington about 6.30pm. Watched ER. House cold so went to bed early.
Sunday 26 July
Woke to grey rain, and stayed in bed most of morning. Watched Hungarian grand prix, won by Hamilton, then went into town to buy food. In evening excellent meal at Glen Lui Hotel, but felt pretty unhealthy afterwards and had a disturbed night. Persistent tickle in throat over past few days. Children home safely.
Monday 27 July
Weather much improved, but still slow getting up! Late breakfast, then to Glen Muick with sandwiches. I climbed small hill after intermittent rain passed. Drove to Spittal, then back to Crannoch for tea and scones and to Cambus O’May suspension bridge, where we observed mysterious whirlpools in the river. Back to Ballater and a hideously long queue at the Co-op. Tried to watch Slumdog Millionaire, but subtitles indecipherable on small screen, so watched To Die For instead, plus a little bit from the Press Gang – End of An Error.
Tuesday 28 July
Miserable start to the day: grey and wet. Eventually set off for Balmoral, but the car park was crammed and the weather uninviting, so we went on to Braemar, where we parked behind the Information centre and did some shopping. Dot got a new Weird Fish top and I bought a camera case that was just what I was looking for, plus a stick for Oliver. As this is a Vango, he could find himself with a Vango in a Bongo, as his father is keen on purchasing a Mazda Bongo. We then had sandwiches (in my case) and lemon meringue pie (in Dot’s) at the Fife Arms, before walking up to a viewpoint above the town. On the way we passed a big car park and a duckpond that we never knew existed. Quite a stiff little climb, but the sun was warm and the breeze not too bad. Came back the same way, for once ignoring my instinct that continuing on the path would bring us down into the town; sadly my instinct was right, so we missed out. Bought an ice cream each and a book on trees, then returned to Ballater, driving through heavy rain around Balmoral – wondered if it had been like that there all day. Probably not. To Green Inn in the evening and enjoyed the usual superb meal with a bottle of champagne to mark our 41st wedding anniversary (actually yesterday, but the Green Inn is shut on Mondays).
Wednesday 29 July
Dull start again, but brightened up and became variable. No change there, if you see what I mean. Went for lunch at Log Cabin and bought some stuff, including my usual shirt. Lunched on baked potato (me) and bacon and maple syrup (guess who) pancake. Drove up on to hill and did two-mile walk to a small flat top containing mysterious boards, arranged as if they were the blueprint for a fence. Suspect grouse shoot connection; probably wrong. Break in the weather gave us two miles of very pleasant walking. Then returned home for cup of tea before driving round to find possible places to rent for another family visit. Found Lary Cottage, just round corner, and 3 Knocks Cottages, on back road. Back to cottage for rest on bed, tea and watched Plenty. Have finished reading The Girl Who Played with Fire (excellent) and am now reading Trescothick autobiography that David bought me for birthday (finished August 1 – very good).
Thursday 30 July
Started bright after a dreadful night when I was really stuffed up. Got up about 4am to make a cup of tea. Drove to Balmoral and bought tickets (£6 each seniors), then had tea/coffee before going into the ballroom and then on to one of the walks, during which there was intermittent rain. Felt quite tired, but it was lovely up there. Back for lunch in restaurant – excellent sandwiches, then another small buying spree before heading back to the car. On the way home on the back road almost hit the Queen coming the other way: uncanny – she seems to know exactly where we are. To Larks gallery, where the owner remembered us from three years ago, and we bought a few things including a fairly expensive necklace for Dotsy. Then walked down riverside path (further than I thought again) to pick up a couple of stones and lose a few pounds. Stones were for grandchildren of course. This expedition made it over 6 miles for the day, which is a bit excessive. Bought some bread and milk for breakfast tomorrow, then prepared for drive to Banchory. Rain had disappeared late afternoon, and it was quite warm. After getting fed up with Premier Inn’s automated booking system and hanging up, I booked in again at Days Inn, Abington, for tomorrow. Spent a delightful evening with Ella, David, Gail and Nigel at Banchory: assorted pate and Balmoral chicken (stuffed with haggis). Managed to remain sober enough to drive back at about 11.45, avoiding roadside deer on the way. Amazing brightness in the sky after midnight.
Friday 31 July
Woke to warm sunshine and no hangover, except for Dot. Spent the morning packing and tidying up. Surprisingly, had quite a good sleep. Left at noon, stopped at Fife Arms for lunch and then at Balathie. Reached Abington about 4.30pm and read a lot before having an average meal.
Saturday 1 August
Left by 9.30 after breakfast in our room. Appalling weather most of the way home: driving in cloud at first, then heavy rain in Lake District and very, very heavy rain on the M6 Toll, after we’d made our second stop. First stop was at Lancaster. Someone remind me never to stop at Lancaster again. Motorway services seem to be on a different planet. You look at the people around you and think they’re not really human. They’re probably looking at you and thinking the same thing. Quite unpleasant. Dot took over driving as we approached the A14. I felt really shattered. Home about 5pm and did some unpacking and some eating, though didn’t really feel like either.