Iona was the same as before. Peaceful. We settled into the ways of the house quickly. Morning service, breakfast… then out, back for lunch, for me a sit (and snooze) in the library. Evening meal and service in the lovely lit chapel. One highlight though was our trip to Lunga on the Wednesday, and the beautiful Puffins. Then onto Staffa and Fingal’s cave. Fantastic columnar basalt formations. Breathtaking. There was excitement one evening when Tricia saw some dolphins in the strait between Iona and Mull. Tricia went to services at the Abbey, I didn’t, but I did find a little shop that did a nice Flat White. On the Tuesday evening we tried to pick up some signal try and watch the England ladies football team in their World Cup semi final, sadly they lost to USA 2-1.

On the Friday, 5th July, we were off on Iona and straight across Mull to the ferry then Oban. We had a light lunch with Janet, Jan and Elizabeth before we set off to find Castle and Loch Sween, old seat of the Sween clan. I was hoping for some kind of spiritual connection, but no. The castle itself is on part of a set of holiday homes with limited access. We drove miles down a road with a dead end… but we did come across a great little chapel in Kilmory, featuring ‘the carved stones of kilmory’. Back up the road we headed through Inveraray, at the top of Loch Fyne, and then down to a lovely B&B in Cairndow. This was a lovely house, brilliantly decorated… I almost thought we were in the wrong place. Next day, to avoid traffic we went round the east side of Loch Lomond, down towards and through Glasgow and its cobweb of motorways, then south. About 50 miles south of Glasgow we came off the motorway and went to a place called Moffat. Much better than a service station, the sun was out and we sat and late lunch on a street café. Then we walked around and found some great ‘nick-nack’ shops. A visit to a large shop featuring woollens proved beneficial as I got myself a great jumper to wear to football in the winter… all very odd on a hot day.

Back in the car we drove back south, over the English border and found our B&B for the night, just off the motorway near Lancaster. This time we stayed in an old hotel, that was in need of some tlc. The food was ok though. Sunday morning we went into Lancaster, visiting the castle, and cathedral. Late afternoon Tricia finally agreed that the holiday was over and we completed the last leg of the journey home.

Back from Scotland, it was straight back in to usual life, well for a few days anyway. All the washing to do… back to work for me on Monday, and a new role as a ‘Service Owner’ looking after E mail services. For Tricia, Brownies at the Sports field, but more sadly it was catering for the funeral of one of the characters of the village on the Tuesday. Guy had passed away, just over 90. Tricia went to the funeral and said it was a good village turn out. Much loved, and now much missed.

Come Thursday though, Tricia was off on her travels again. This time she was off to Edinburgh with Robbie to order hilt and outfit for the wedding. They flew out Thursday evening and came back in on Sunday evening. They took the opportunity of a spot of walking whilst up there. Tartan and kilt all sorted, Rob just has to wait until is made now. I took the opportunity of a fairly quiet Sunday to watch England against New Zealand in the cricket World Cup final. England had finally found form, beating India and New Zealand to get a semi final slot. They hammered Australia in the semi and went to the final. A nail biting final, where Ben Stokes somehow got the game to a tied situation after 50 overs… and then England won the super over. Shredded nerves. England finally won a one day World Cup.

On the 18th, Ellie went in as a day patient to have her wisdom teeth out. They had been causing her problems for a while, so whilst it was painful and uncomfortable for her it was the best thing to do in the long run. The evening of Saturday 20th, we went up to the Docwra’s with the usual crew for the evening. Sunday 21st was Clive’s birthday present… a surprise visit to Crossness pumping station. This was a bit of a trek into and then across London, and a taxi ride, but we got there in the end. Nikki and Matt joined us. At the end of the day, we travelled back across London and had a meal in Bill’s.

Tricia was busy the following week prepping a wedding cake for Kate and Luke. Saturday I met up with Big John and we went to see West Ham play at Fulham, we walked along the Thames and stopped for lunch. I had booked tickets a couple of days before and was told I could pick them up at the ticket office… except when we got there they weren’t there. Eventually the tickets turned up. A good game and win for West Ham and a walk back along the river.

The month ended with Tricia having a day out to Salisbury with Janet on the 30th and then Pub quiz in the evening on the 31st. It also ended with a new prime minister, with Boris Johnson becoming the new leader of the Tory party, and therefore Prime Minister.