Lando

This is the family dog - Lando - who has been Ollie's stand in for the last week or so! We have had a good walk every day, and he is good company and a really nice chap!

Before I left at lunchtime, Shelagh and I had a final walk around the grounds to see some of the huge cross country jumps erected for the horse trials that were held on the estate earlier this year. Absolutely massive! Lando is the size of a labrador, the jumps are incredible. And of course, built so that they don't fall down if/when the horse or rider hits them. Terrifying!

I took some family photos last night. B wanted an updated one of the whole family sitting on the couch. Shelagh's husband kept his hat on to cover his loss of hair, and only Lando throwing himself around in front of them alleviated the sadness of the occasion. Everyone is being very brave and strong and looking after each other.

Sad good-byes today, but I'm coming back in a few weeks' time. Headed off on the train, and then the ferry from Aberdeen up to Kirkwall. Very choppy crossing, interesting to hear the silence that fell in the lounge whenever it got very rough! Managed to do a bit of knitting and sleep for a couple of hours before we docked at 11pm!