Menoffagainorrhoea; the YAMster takes flight

As you recall, I have been paying a visit to my ol' pal, Aitch, down in the East Anglian bump of England. Was only there a week... but lots to share!

First, let me tell you about my journey down there. I opted to fly (and used my carbon-offset tool). This was mainly due to the fact that it was going to cost an equal amount of money to go by train but would have taken the grand total of eight hours door to door. Flying brought that down to three; one to get to Edinburgh airport via the route 300, one and a quarter to get through, board and fly to Norwich, and three quarters to drive back, Aitch collecting me. As it turned out, we opted to use the day differently - but the point was, that time I had to be with my friend, rather than getting fed up changing trains.

I get ahead of myself. Getting from the Hutch to Edinburgh for the first time since selling Li'l Ren was the challenge. My newly-minted National Entitlement Card (Senior) arrived three days before departure. This gives me free - yes FREE - bus travel over the whole of the Bonny Land.

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I had to get the ferry across to Gourock (and learned that I am able to apply for a concession pass on that too!), where I picked up the bus directly outside the terminal to get me to Glasgow central. There, a change of bus to get me into Edinburgh. Once inside the city limits, I swapped to a third bus to get to dad's place. How exciting to wave this card and be handed my ticket without having to worry about having the right change - or even having money at all. There had to be SOME benefit to turning 60, eh what?! The door-to-door of the father's house was the best part of five hours, compared to two and a half in the car. No matter. It was fun.

A day only with dad and then off bright and early (6 am) last Thursday, using the Skybus which begins its run just five minutes walk from the front door and drops right at the terminal where I go to the special assistance office. Can't ask for better than that!

For the first time ever, I was riding Scotland's Airline - Loganair. A tiny jet, the Embraer 135, totalling 37 seats, of which 20 were filled for this flight. Judy was our attendant. There were a juice and light snack for the 50-minute trip. Cloud most of the way, but did get a hazy view of the Queensferry crossing. This was really flying. Could feel every touch of air. Take-off and landing were 'naked' but perfectly executed. We were wheels-down fifteen mins ahead of schedule. Summer awaited me and I awaited Aitch. At 10:30 we met and headed for the nearest cafe for a cuppa and catch up before taking to the road in search of lunch.

We landed up at the quaintly named Pulham St Mary (not Pulham Market, mind, that was four miles away). Lunch was in the heritage building (400-year history... chapel then school...) which is now the community centre. It was delicious and restorative.

After this, we headed back to Needham Market (the nearest 'town') for a shop at the supermarket to ensure there was plenty salad and fruit as the met office had promised temps soaring into the late 20s and maybe low 30s. Woohoo, that's what I came for!!! I was impressed to find that Aitch and her other good pal Cx had more or less filled the skip out the back and nearly everything was in boxes. That doesn't mean there is not still quite a bit to do.

Thursday was over, I'd arrived and the heat was rising...

The rabbit needs a home... Cx skipped him... Aitch and I retrieved him and placed him by the petunias.