I am just back from wearing my brave pants for driving to see my mother in hospital.  Well, all I can say is that nerves of steel are mandatory for driving in Berkshire and Surrey – I am still shaking but I did it. Having learned to drive in 1984 in London, I should be used to this but, even so, it was a trial by fire.

This morning, Flossie and I lifted Mum’s potatoes.  A few months’ back she had planted some pink firs and had been meaning to dig ’em up so we did them for her.

A nice little harvest and I showed Mum photos of her efforts.

We have put the tatties in racks to dry in the dark and then will bag them up in paper for later.

I brought with me some TurmerItch for dogs for Ted.  He is prone to itchy skin so I am giving him a daily “slice” and in return he sported the necessary bandana! He looked very nifty in it. A dear boy.  I haven’t seem Ted scratching today and I groom him in the evening for as long as he will let me  Hopefully the TurmerItch will help his coat too.

So handsome! ❤️

Well, that’s me. I got here relatively unscathed but leaving a couple of disasters in my wake.

• I lost my coat and found I had left it in the pub last night (thankfully open this morning with their own B&B guests so I managed to retrieve it – phew!)
• My shampoo managed to leak all over the contents of my overnight bag (bastard thing!)
• there’s probably more calamities – I just haven’t discovered them yet!

Anywho, someone was very pleased to see me, though!

Floss has been holding Mum’s fort wonderfully while she is currently in hospital.

My drive south was fairly smooth apart from the world and his wife trying to phone me. I couldn’t answer because a) I don’t know how to while I am at the wheel (I may have to investigate this) and b) I don’t like talking to anyone when I am trying to concentrate.

This is what I look like when anyone phones me while I am driving!

There’s lots of colour in the garden.

Autumn has most definitely arrived.

The last rose of summer (actually there are a few in the garden).

So, I did it. I drove 547 miles (it feels longer).  I am beginning to know the road.

Off the boat at 07:00 and then to look for my car which had arrived the day before.  It was happily sitting in the freight car park, so I set my Twat-nav for Tesco, Dundee and off I trotted.

I wandered aimlessly around the vast Tesco, buying some breakfast and lunch  and drove down to Old Tebay. It was a fairly uneventful drive. Just the two snarl-ups. I am staying in a delightful B&B.

This is what you get for £39 including breakfast! I love it. A total bargain.

I really cannot complain because it is quiet, comfortable and I am in the most beautiful village.

I had a little wander around and am now resting on my bed while writing this, with a mug of tea at hand and afterwards I will walk down to the local pub for my supper.

Like I said, delightful.

I am currently sitting in the passenger waiting area at the ferry terminal ready to go onboard once they are open.  As the wifi here is very good, I thought I would pass away the time writing the blog.

I said my goodbyes to everyone over the course of the day.

And I am trying very hard not to worry about Haakon who finds the Shetland winter difficult at the best of times.  I told him just to do his best and gave him a hug. He understood. He always does.

Then OH drove me over to Leradale to check the Minions as I have not got a car (now sitting in Aberdeen ferry terminal). We took Pepper too and she had a lovely time being introduced and investigating new territory.

Home for lunch and I spent some time with Waffle and Tiddles. Daisy and I did their feet again.  Well, Daisy did. I held the rope and kissed noseys.  Tiddles is much better. Waffle less so. I am trying not to worry about him and we will wait for the next farrier visit.

I spent as much time as possible with Pepper.

I doubt she will miss me much as Monster is her BFF.  Although possibly not very keen on this role, Monster is doing his very best to keep Pepper under control.  She loves it!

Daisy sent me this photo while I was schlepping round Tesco’s looking for a BLT for supper. I think everyone will be alright.

The car is all packed and ready to go south by itself to Aberdeen on the freight boat tonight.  I will follow on tomorrow night’s boat.

A certain little doglet knows something is up.

I wish I could take Pepper with me but, after much thinking, I decided that she  would have a much better start staying at home, keeping to her routine, and being a happy dog with everything she loves (except me) around her.

I am not sure about the future of this blog, to be honest. It is meant to be about my life in Shetland and all I will write about for the near future will be about living down south in Englandshire.  I don’t know how long I will be there so I can’t make any promises.  I do not have a return ticket. I think the best I can say is I will see how I go.  I am caring for my mother.  I am staying for as long as she needs me. This is not a holiday but necessity.

I will miss my family and animals and have left them all in the best of hands. It’s all I can do.

I’m going to miss my speshul boy very much.