Monday – we decided to head off on the first boat on Monday, it was a nice day for the cruise. So we dropped Bonnie off with Ali and headed to the pier. The boat was quiet but got progressively  busier as we called at Canna, then back to Rum, then on to Eigg. Train to Fort William getting us in around 730pm, which somehow does not feel quite so late in the summer when it’s still daylight. On the desk at Premier Inn were the two staff we know well so we were greeted like old friends. Ady and I nipped along to Lidl as we had a faulty jigsaw to return. Scarlett came with us to Morrisons to get food for dinner. We all ate, Ady had a bath, I had a bath, Davies had a bath, we all went to bed. Some of us were asleep rather quicker than others…
Tuesday – we had dentist at 1020am so headed off having dragged the later to sleep among our number from their beds. Ady had his second bath of the trip before the rest of us were even out of bed. Dentist was all fine for check ups. Scarlett’s brace had broken so needed to be sent off for repairs. They are all very understanding of the effort, time and cost involved in a trip to the orthodontist for us but it could not be helped so we arranged for Scarlett to go back next week to have it refitted. The good news is that is is well on track to do what it’s supposed to. This is the palate expander bit of the work. He reckons another 2 months, so hopefully on her next check up it will be on to the next stage.
We left the dentist and went into town for a look around the charity shops. We got lunch in Tescos, Scarlett got an ice cream – she was the only one who wanted one, Davies went back to the room and the rest of us followed. Ady had another bath (#3) which I had a cup of tea and then Ady and I went back out for his opticians appointment and me to hit Superdrug for nail varnish shopping. Ady’s eye test was all fine, the optician also checked over my glasses and said they are close enough to my prescription for him to be happy with them not needing changing for now as I’d forgotten to bring them when last we were off and I had my eye test.
Back to the room – Ady had another bath. We watched more crap TV and then all went out for various shopping, Lidl for olives for Fliss, herbal toothpaste for us and pretend Baileys for me. Morrisons for general shop of taco shells, reduced to clear bread and rolls and pastries for the freezer, fruit and veg for the week, Bombay mix, food colouring, Angel delight and cheap chocolate for the kids sweet stash. Scarlett chose picnic food for her dinner. Ady and Scarlett went back to the room, Davies and I went to get Davies fish and chips. I think Ady had another bath. We packed everything ready to take back and Ady and I went to the Brewers Fayre for a meal as we had a buy one get one free offer. It’s great having everyone old enough to choose their own food and be where they want to eat it. We left the kids and went for our meal, which was nice enough and pretty cheap and still a novelty to be out together in a restaurant (albeit a Brewers Fayre!) for me and Ady.
Back to the room for baths. Ady fell asleep, Davies and I watched Bullseye which I had been telling him about only the other week and was *exactly* as I had been describing. Davies also had one of his now traditional midnight forays to reception. This time he was after tea bags and clean cups. He so enjoys the late night banter with the on duty in the middle of the night reception staff 😉
Wednesday – early start which some people coped with better than others. Ady had a bath obviously. Into Morrisons for last minute supplies of  butter and mozzarella. On to the train, a super quick stop in Co Op and then on to the Calmac. Also on board were a couple from Canna so we chatted to them a bit.
So good to be home. Ali was at the boat so we arranged to collect Bonnie, I had a quick catch up chat with Neil who had come off the boat we got on to so had not seen him for over a week. Collected Bonnie and came home. We had been pretty sensible with what we’d bought so unpacking didn’t take too long. We were all feeling pretty wiped out so didn’t do much but it was good to be back.
Thursday – a gorgeous sunny day. In the morning Ady fixed the chimney while I did some weeding and planting out of peas and beans. We had lunch and the doctor arrived for Ady’s blood test. I got a lift down to the village with the doctor and Dave to go to Crafternoon. A nice couple of hours and then a quick stop at the shop for tonic water before coming home. Ady was cooking dinner so I even had time to go and plant up some more peas and beans and water the polytunnel.
Friday – Ady had a parcel to send so we needed to go to Post Office this morning. Ady was late feeding the animals as it was snowing! When he went down Bob had come quite a way up the croft so he led him the rest of the way and he is now at last in the pen with Blackie next to Barbara and the girls. This is fabulous 🙂
Down to Post Office and to get some beers for Ady for later. Back to the croft for lunch and then out to do shed stuff for Ady – making new display shelves and moving things about. He’s come up with some fab ideas and it’s looking great in there, ready and waiting for midges and bath bombs! I weeded another two raised beds. It had been my plan to do more planting out and sowing but it is very cold at night so I think I may hold fire until things are slightly less at risk of frost.
We had a cup of tea and then walked down to the village with Scarlett to collect post and get our petrol from Ali. I called in for a quick chat with her as she had big news, then home for a very late dinner indeed and Doctor Who. Ady is working in the morning. I am planning a lie in.