I travelled home on Saturday. I had to plan it on the basis of the snow from Storm Eunice having gone and the lull in the wind between storms allowing the Saturday evening ferry to sail.
Unfortunately my second lot of hospital plans (ie my stent change) didn't quite work out. I was supposed to have the procedure on Thursday but as I was getting into the car to drive to the hospital I got a call from the hospital to say that they had no beds. They could do the procedure but couldn't stick me in a bed afterwards. I'm now scheduled for the middle of March. Hey ho.
The drive from Glasgow to Ullapool was one of the best I've had. There was very little traffic. The sun shone out of a blue sky and the hills, forests and fields were covered in snow. The ferry wasn't overly busy and the sea was reasonably calm.
Unfortunately I discovered that my dashcam had not been recording onto the SDD card so all the fabulous winter footage of driving through the Scottish Highlands doesn't exist.
The weather forecasts all seem a bit out of kilter for us at the moment. The storms don't seem to be coming our way despite the predictions on the various weather apps. However, I don't think I'd be relying on the ferries for the rest of this week notwithstanding.
Oh dear. Just one thing after another. You were fortunate to be on the ferry on the one calm(ish) day between storms. Our ferry has had many cancelled sailings, leaving the supermarket shelves and newsagents quite depleted.
ReplyDeleteJayCee, you are one of the relatively small number of the readers of this blog who understand the implications of island life.
DeleteThanks for letting us know you are home safe - I have been wondering how the current run of storms was affecting CalMac and the Islands. Shame about the dashcam footage but at least YOU have the memories, even if you cannot share some of it. Perhaps next time?
ReplyDeleteHow much leeway do you have with your stent change?
Jayne, it is supposed to be changed very 4 to 6 months but Covid taught us (me and the medics) that 6 months can cause us both (the medics more than me because they have to sort it out) problems.
DeleteJayne is right, thank you for letting us know you got home alright.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, your stent change will come about in March and not postponed again.
Meike, I think the hospital staff will do everything they can to prevent it happening again.
DeleteI've had some fantastic driving experiences in Scotland when the countryside opens up and the light shines crystal clear.
ReplyDeleteTasker, you will appreciate the beauty of the experience.
DeleteGlad to hear you are home safe once again, Graham. I hope nothing interrupts your next appointment for the stent change. Your drive through the highlands sounds wonderful. I was wondering how the island are getting on in the terrible storms we have been hearing about on the News. Hope they continue to miss you.
ReplyDeletePauline, you would have loved being here when the weather was like it was on Sunday. The mountains and lochs we drove through would have been absolutely magical. Unfortunately after a couple of relatively lovely days we are facing storm warnings here agin tonight and tomorrow for the next day or so. That's life.
DeleteHow long does it normally take you to drive from Glasgow up to Ullapool? Not too long to wait for the stent change.
ReplyDeleteYP, the journey from Bishopbriggs to Ullapool via the A9 and Inverness is about 4½ of driving.
Deletesorry that the surgery plans got put off. Those delays are stressful.
ReplyDeleteRed, it's a bit stressful and usually involves more antibiotics than are probably desirable.
DeleteEunice didn't reek the havoc she was predicted to. She blew quite hard, and a few small dead branches came down from trees. However, I've seen footage from the sea, and seen photos of fallen trees and flying roofs. Luckily all at a reasonable distance from Casa Cro.
ReplyDeleteCro, Eunice gave us a night of snow but otherwise missed Scotland.
DeleteHow annoying that your dashcam didn't work. The first time I used a digital camera I took lots of really great photos - and wondered why the red light kept flashing. It had no memory card in it :))
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I was very disappointed that the photos were not available. Modern digital things can have their disadvantages.
DeleteGlad you had a good journey back. Frustrating about the stent and hoping it all works out OK in March. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Fran.
DeleteGlad you managed to get back home safely between the storms. I hope it won't cause you any additional trouble having to wait for the op. (Except an 'extra' trip over to the mainland, I suppose. Hope the weather will be less stormy then - and "room at the inn" = bed at the hospital)
ReplyDeleteMonica, it's always more complicated when the hospital is so far from home. We have a good hospital on the Island but it can't cope with specialist multi-disciplinary operations such as the one I'm fortunate to get.
DeleteIt's good to know you are now back home safe on your island. I hope everything goes to plan in March. X
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jules.
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