Chilly!

Yesterday Ruth was sent home from hospital without her medication, but this morning drifting snow was blocking the road, so no-one could go and collect it!

The doctor said it was important that she keep taking the tablets and she would leave them at reception for someone to collect.

I got in touch with a friend in Kirkwall, who got in touch with another friend C, who lives down here but had been working a night shift. She was coming home at lunchtime, so would collect the drugs and bring them back with her.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't improve. The gale force wind was blocking the road as soon as it was cleared and the barriers were closed as the waves were coming over the top of them, making driving too dangerous. The girl taking over the shift couldn't get into Kirkwall and C couldn't get home!

At 6pm C finally made it down to the Hope. She was exhausted and said the roads were still pretty horrendous. I collected Ruth's meds and, seeing as the fish and chip van was still there, bought some for tea! It was so wild that I was told to come and park right by the can and the chap, Peter, would flash his torch at me when my order was ready, rather than standing in the teeth of the gale!

All ended well, Ruth got her medication and Mike and I had our fish and chips! In total, the hospital doctor had rung me three times during the day to check whether the medication had got to Ruth. She was working on a plan B if we hadn't managed to get them! What a fantastic doctor to have on your side! Great to be able to tell her that despite everything, they'd got here!
Such a relief for everyone.

Photo of the temperature gauge in the hall. It's a biting wind alright!