I was supposed to be home and on Tuesday. Instead I ended up in the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow in agony. Problem solved and a couple of nights in hospital and I was released late yesterday afternoon after a wait for most of the day for my medication.
On Monday I rang CALMAC to tell them that I would not be on the sailing on Tuesday evening and could I move to the Thursday evening sailing. No more room until the 2 August. WHAT? If one lives on Lewis one cannot get back home for 7 days!
The implications of that could be colossal for lots of people. It could be a serious problem for me because I have commitments as well as no clean clothes nor enough of my medication (the cancer medication is not generally available on prescription nor in any pharmacy) nor of my 'external plumbing' stuff. Why did I chose this occasion to break the habit of a lifetime and travel light?
Apart from that a hotel or other accommodation in Scotland in the middle of the holidays is impossible or prohibitive anyway.
My son is away on the mainland but I do have friends and neighbours who will look after watering the vegetables in the polycarb and garden, the birds and so on.
What if I had a job to go to? As it is I have missed a funeral, medical appointments and a civic reception at which a friend of nearly half a century is to be awarded the Freedom of The Western Isles. In the greater scheme of things none of that matters.
What matters to me as I write this is at lunchtime on Thursday 27 July is that I just want to be home!
I'm about to drive up to Ullapool and try and get on the Freight ferry at 3am tomorrow.
Please wish me luck.
Good luck with the freight ferry. That's all I can say really. I suppose that's how it is in Summer, busy ferries.
ReplyDeleteRachel busy ferries is, as you say, just how it is. However I think that there should be some contingency arrangements for special cases such as hospital visits and illness, funeral attendance and other things during the busy period.
DeleteI suppose there is always this possibility when living on a remote island. Obviously ferries only have so much capacity, and they are subject to mechanical failure too. Good luck with the freight ferry. Does it reach a point where it is no longer feasible to continue to live where you are? Here people faced with aging and the problems associated with that period in life, sell rural properties and move into condominiums in town to be closer to hospitals and other services and amenities.
ReplyDeleteDavid, we are fortunate in that the social infrastructures on the Island make it possible to live in a remote area for much longer because of the greater family support for many historically and the great help that neighbours provide as well. Our medical facilities are first rate in the circumstances and on Lewis/Harris we have a reasonable hospital with emergency, medical and surgical capability. I had my knee replaced here for example. Like much of Scotland, though we have to travel long distances for some specialist attention. The country also has ambulance planes and helicopters. I think, too, that whilst our (Scottish) distances can be significant they are tiny when compared with Ontario.
DeleteOh, I'm sorry for the travel complications, Graham. How you long to be back in your own home! Hope the freight ferry can squeeze you on! Be safe!
ReplyDeleteIf you can't get on the ferry could you fly home in order to have access to your medication and then return at a later date to collect the car?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, JayCee, it's not quite that simple because, oddly, the planes have been at capacity recently partly because of significant flight cancellations.
DeleteWhat rotten luck. I hope you manage to resolve your difficulties rapidly.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! Yes indeed, what if you had a job you were expected to return to?
ReplyDeleteHere‘s wishing you good luck!
Sorry you were in agony and had to go back to hospital.
Prayers, wishes, hopes and lots of positive vibes that you arrive home without further hassles with a healing mind and body full of happiness
ReplyDeleteSo did you manage to get on the other ferry? It's much the same here with the inter-islander ferries, either they are constantly breaking down or they are cancelling trips I think there is a bit of a waitlist for them too, about 1 month or so from memory.
ReplyDeleteAmy, the inter-islander situation seems to be as bad as some of our Scottish services. Largely due to under-investment.
DeleteWhat rotten luck to end up back in hospital and then be hit with the ferry problem. I hope your luck changed and you got on the freight ferry. I think it must be time island residents petitioned for better access to the ferry during tourist season. Hope you are comfy at home soon, Graham.
ReplyDeleteThere should be priority places on ferries for locals. Of course I wish you luck getting on the freight ferry from Ullapool. Perhaps if you dress and act like an HGV driver you will have more luck Try to be more scruffy and put on a broad Glaswegian accent. Having your trews at half mast will also help - ye ken?
ReplyDeleteYP, I could have got onto the ferry as a foot passenger most sailings although even some of them have been fully booked. The problem is getting my car back as well. Living where I do life without a car is difficult and at my age I can't hire one and, I discovered recently, can't go onto my son's insurance for any of his cars either. Age has it's disadvantages sometimes.
DeleteRather surprising that ferry traffic is so limited.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you explained the situation to whoever deals with the ferry bookings. As above, local people should have priority.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I am about to start a campaign.
DeleteDon't they keep one or two spaces for really worthy cases. I'm sure in King Charles phoned to say he wanted a sailing; they'd find one instantly.
ReplyDeleteNo, Cro, they don't but they should. I'm a=bout to start a campaign for just that.
DeleteOh Graham, I am late catching up and do hope that by the time you read this you're back at home.
ReplyDeleteThe situation with ferries this year is beyond a joke and with current economic connditions and state of governance/decision-making (or lack thereof) you might sometimes wonder what is the future for island communities dependent upon CalMac.
I know of one person in the Outer Hebrides who is selling up and moving back to the mainland, not just because of the transport situation but it is certainly a factor.
Jayne, I certainly wouldn't leave the Island because my family and friends and half a century of life are here.
DeleteBest wishes for a speedy return. I suppose it's the tourists that have blocked the boats with their vehicles. Lesley
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid. Lesley, that we are a very popular destination for camper vans these days and they take up a lot of space.
DeleteGood luck. There should be places always available for residents.
ReplyDeleteThat's my view as well, Tasker, for emergency travel anyway.
DeleteYikes! What a problem! I agree with Tasker. If you're a resident trying to get home, you should be 'priority'. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that you needed an extra hosptial visit! (I was assuming you were back home already...) Too late to "wish you luck" with the freight ferry (as when I write this, it will already have sailed, with or without you); but I hope things did work out for you.
ReplyDeleteOh Graham, this distresses me to no end! I pray that be the time this gets to you will be okay and all will be resolved.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill, I saw your comment on my way home and it felt good not to be so alone.
DeleteYou've made enough sacrifices for the time being! I really hope you got a spot on the freight ferry
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling much better and that you managed to board the ferry and return to Lewis as soon as possible. As Gilda Radner in her role as Rosanne Rosannadanna on Saturday Night Live! used to say, "It's always something" but you got hit with several things at once. I am sorry you missed your friend's funeral , your medical appointment, and your other friend's award ceremony. I do hope you were able to get your medicine. Let us know how things turned out as we are on pins and needles out here in blogland.
ReplyDeleteBob, fortunately I managed to get back as you may have read. Not for the funeral but in time for the award ceremony which was this afternoon.
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