A jolly jaunt with Jo

I had a rude awakening this morning! Mr C had brought me a cup of tea and walked to the village for the paper when at 8.45 the door bell rang and it was the decorators.

They set to and we left for a 100 mile round trip to show Jo a bit of Scotland. We went over the Carter Bar, stopping for the photo of us at the “Welcome to Scotland” sign. Next stop was the 1000 year old Capon Tree and Jedburgh Abbey. After that we went to Newtown St Boswells where Mr C grew up, to have a 4 mile round walk down the Glen to the Tweed and on to Dryburgh Abbey. It is having problems due to climate change and previous sub-standard work so a lot is cordoned off as unsafe.

We had lunch at the Main Street Trading company which is a good bookshop cum cafe. The lunch wasn’t great - cauliflower orzo which was too strong with lemon, and too soft and beige.

We drove via Kelso to Linton where friends Jenny and Elspeth grew up in the manse. Their dad was the minister. This is the 12th century kirk. Next we called at Morebattle a couple of miles away, where I went to primary school, and came home via Kirk Yetholm, famous for its gypsy palace and being at the end of the Pennine Way. Jo really enjoyed the trip and it was nice for us too.

On reaching home the painters had done the hall ceiling, the bedroom ceiling, walls and woodwork and the bathroom. He’d touched up the wood panelling in the hall and all looked good. All done - we thought.

I cooked supper. Ailie joined us - pear, walnut and Gorgonzola with Marsala and honey glaze for starter, followed by salmon in a marinade of soy sauce Dijon mustard and honey and a dressing with that and mayo, and an apple slaw with lime and coriander dressing. Pudding was pineapple, kiwi and pomegranate.

As Ailie was leaving I. noticed the metal frame round the windows at the front door had gone all white and streaky. I think the decorator must have tried to touch it up and the stain reacted to the metal. I thought at last we’d be all done and ready to get our house back. This has gone on since July.