Another working week over

The working week has been a bit shorter - at least as far as travel to work is concerned. Although I didn't go to the office on Tuesday as we headed to Glasgow, I did do some work on Monday to compensate and I guess driving to Uncle George's funeral on Tuesday involved quite a few more driving miles than my usual trip to Fraserburgh.

In hindsight, we probably should have gone down to Glasgow overnight on Monday, but we weren't to know that we would have a blow-out between Dundee and Perth on Tuesday morning. We don't carry a spare tyre as we have run-flats on the BMW. We followed instructions and slowed down to 50 mph and all seemed fine. It was, however, going to be touch and go whether we now made it to Clydebank Crematorium in time for the service.

Our fate was decided just as we approached the big roundabout between Dunblane and Perth when the tyre noise suddenly got a lot worse and it was soon apparent that we couldn't go on much further. We turned off the main road and rumbled towards Bridge of Allan and tried to find where the nearest Kwik-fit (other tyre repair chains may also be available) was and it turned out to be 7 miles away in Stirling - too far.

We had no option but to call the AA. The girl on the phone kept asking if we were stopped in a dangerous place? I said no - we were quite safe, just off the road, straddling the cycle track - and the local bobbies on speed camera patrol nearby confirmed it was ok to park here and wait. She was, however, most insistent and eventually I twigged and agreed with her that we were indeed in a very dangerous place. "In that case sir, I can make you a priority case"! Result!

The recovery truck appeared within about half an hour, loaded my car on the back, and off we all jolly well went to Stirling. First stop was BMW - "sorry, sir, we can't fit you in until 5 pm". Next was Kwik-fit and yes they had a tyre the correct size and could fit it in minutes - and they did.

By this time, we were, of course, far too late for the service at the crematorium (the same one where Mum's and Dad's ashes are scattered) but we could catch up with everyone at the reception at the rugby club at Hughenden.

It was a private affair with just family there - including Ben Barr, my cousin Douglas' son and a Facebook friend. It was the first time I'd seen him since he was a wee boy. Aunt Nancy was in her usual sprightly form. George had been a lost soul for a few years now and had been in a care home since earlier this year, so she'd got quite used to life without him - almost.

This is the booklet from the service:

We eventually said our farewells and headed out to Airdrie to visit Kieran and Julie - and little baby Mara of course. Julie's grandparents were there when we arrived. Here's some of the photos:

OK - the last one's sideways. Don't blame me - it was Kieran who took the photo.

We got back to Banchory just as it was getting dark and decided to go to the Burnett for supper.

Yesterday was Fraserburgh for me, then a quick shuttle over to Aboyne for another game of squash doubles. Today was Aberdeen and our monthly board meeting. As each week goes by, my successor, Ross, is taking over more and more of my former duties - just as he should be doing.

The forecast says wet weather for Saturday and Sunday so I've organised golf tomorrow at Monifeith, when it's supposed to be dry. Jo is going to the theatre in the evening with Carole's Mum, Liz - all arranged by Gary. I think I'll be chauffeuring.