I’m home …… and breathe…..

Almost everyone was pleased to see me again.

BeAnne enjoyed a small sulk as she could smell Teddy (Mum’s dog) on my clothes.  She kept coming back into the room to check that I was still here and then going off again to sit outside to enjoy her sulk.  I was quickly reminded that all is not plain-sailing with Her Maj as she went all “pale and interesting” over her breakfast.  We had a little game of bally-ball later and that cheered her up.  She ate her tea so maybe I am forgiven.

Lambie pretended he didn’t know who I was – twit.

The pea that is his brain eventually kicked in – he said a nice hello and let me tickle him.

Luckily Missy was my best friend.  She is still enchanting and the black spots on her ears are even more noticeable now.

The old men came up the hill for a carrot.  They looked very well.

I was also duly frisked and investigated.

So that’s me happily home, feeling relieved the driving ordeal is over.  Now to try and rescue my old car and get that back too.

A lovely stay at Tebay and, after a hearty breakfast, onwards this morning. I filled myself up and then my new-to-me car (Mum’s Honda Jazz -semi-automatic (get me!)) as well and off we set, ever northwards.

The  weather was a bit better, which made a huge difference, and I made good time, stopping briefly at Tesco, Dundee for boat provisions.

And then, as I was driving into Aberdeen, the best sight ever greeted me and I knew I was nearly home.

I had a bit of wait, as I had arrived quite early. Better too early than too late. I was also too tired to shop and too scared to leave my front place in the car queue.

I am safely onboard now and in my cabin. I shall make myself two huge mugs of tea, have my supper and go to bed. Tomorrow I will see my BeAnne.

I left Mum’s at about 09:30 and reached Tebay, my hotel for the night, in Cumbria by about 16:00.

Due to the adverse weather (rain, rain and more rain), I took it very slowly but Mum’s car went solidly and steadily along.  It is a fine car and I am very impressed.

I am currently drinking two mugs of tea, lying on my bed, while listening to David Attenborough on the tv. Dinner is booked for 6pm, breakfast for 8am and then I will wend my way up to Aberdeen to the boat.

I am very tired but relieved to have got here safely.

The view from my bedroom window.

Night, night xx

Here he is, in all his glory and his lovely red jim-jams (Equafleece). Unlike his Shetland counterpart, Ted hates getting wet so Mum puts on his outfit when it is raining. It has been persisting down for the last 48 hours.

Ted loves a good squeaky toy and then he has to destroy it as quickly as possible.  None are invincible and few last very long.

Killing squeaky toys is exhausting work.

This is a rescue dog who has fallen on his paws!

I think you will agree, Ted is one very happy little dog person.

Tomorrow, I start the first leg of my journey home.

A busy day today trying to fit in as much as possible as tomorrow is my last day staying with my mother.

I now have wheels!  Perhaps not the original ones I came down south in, but certainly ones that work – my mother’s car.  I am feeling slightly less stressed now though I have to learn how to drive a semi-automatic car 800 miles.  I think we will know each other very well by the end of the journey.

I have also been busy looking through the family photo albums for pictures that are relevant to Great Aunt Kate’s diaries.

I found some wonderful pictures and have added a Gallery to the website now.

This is Kate.

Kate’s little sister and my Great Grandmother – Alys.

Me, Alys, my sister and mother.  Hamish is the westie.

I still remember everything about this scene. I think I was three years old.

And this photo made me laugh.  I have never seen it before. Who knew I like sheep?  (I am on the right in the stripes with my older first cousin).  I was ten years old.  OMG the trousers!

And me, again! Oh crikey.