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.