This is a special spot for us – about a third of the way down Gley Ey in Scotland. A couple of larch trees guard the ruins of an old settlement in a valley that was once quite well populated. On our first visit to the Glen this is as far as we got; this year we went all the way.

Andrew went into his new home, The Langleys, on Monday, and so far all seems well. Reports from the manager and from his social worker are good. On the same day we had our central heating serviced and discovered it needed a powerflush, which is what I thought you got anyway when you reached about my age. As Dot and I are both over 60, we qualify for a £300 discount. So clearly if a General Election is called I will vote for Mr Brown. Probably would do anyway.

Lost my first chess game of the season – also on Monday – so I am at 50 per cent so far. Made a mistake in the opening and never really quite recovered, though it was close at one point. On Tuesday we had three new people at the weekly meal – 11 people altogether. And on Wednesday I went to Hull.

Furthest I’ve driven in a day, I think: well over 400 miles. Got there almost exactly on time after stopping for ten minutes for a sandwich. Start 8am, arrive noon. Saw all four trainees, who did better than I expected, and left at 5pm. Felt very tired but at first intended to head home down the shortest route, the A15 – as an experiment. But police had closed off the A15 for some reason, and I went back to the original route. Suddenly felt very tired and tried to get a room at the Doncaster services on the M18, but they were full. Had a burger instead – not very inspiring, but after a short walk I felt more like driving, and I headed south, with the intention of probably stopping for the night nearer home. But the driving was quite easy and I kept going until Wisbech, where I stopped for a toasted teacake and mug of tea. Waitress called me Darling, which was quite invigorating, and I made it the rest of the way by just after 10pm.

Since then I’ve had a filling replaced, pretty much painlessly, and written my page for the EDP. Took some clothes and other stuff to the charity shop (Break) with Dot on Friday. Last night I watched France hammer Ireland at rugby and today I’m about to watch England try and avoid losing to Samoa.