Menoot And Laid Flat

Well.... it's all got a bit messy. This post is going to be an attempt to draw a few threads together and bring things back on an even keel. I lay no expectation upon it to actually achieve that, as - at the time of writing (yesterday arvo) I am still technically COVID Positive and slightly gaga. But a good deal less gaga than I was the day before that and the blotto of the previous three days. 

I've done virtually nothing. I've been unable even to work on my favourite hobby. And for those who wondered, The Grey was refused service due to my status, and we can only reschedule once I have fully confirmed a negative test. 

Let's go back. First, given some comments to last week's fill-in, I would remind you all that this blog is never actually time accurate - unless specifically told otherwise, you must understand that the reports are coming anywhere between 10 days and (in the case of Tuesday's posts) months after the happenings. This happens because a) it takes time to download and process images, as well as to gather my thoughts, b) I like to schedule things, and c) most of all, for security. I know of bloggers, particularly solo female travellers, who have been stalked. It is one thing to have folk interested in what one does and where one is, quite another to be followed. Literally.

Anyway, near the end of April, I got the call to get over to Hawick to visit our oldest aunty, who is lying in her last days. (Of course, since that call, she is still with us, but every day offers change.) So it was farewell, Dunoon, morning Hawick... and making good use of the aire offered by the local council.

It's easy to see we are entering the holiday season proper, as there was a good lot of company for The Grey! I recall I told you of this on the last official "Thirds Trip" post—and that after spending some time here, I was heading to Moffat.

I did so via the aforementioned Grey Mare's Tail. Now, you never actually saw the waterfall that carries that name because it requires one to climb a very significant hill. One we used to scamper up and down as kids with no thought of tomorrows or yesterdays or times in between. It's a part of this country that is firmly part of my roots and will be explored more at another time. Then, it was just a landscape anomaly near where Grandad shepherded. Now, it's a major tourist attraction under the care of the National Trust for Scotland. Even though it was busy while I was there, it still held that sense of place for me and I breathed deeply of the cool, fresh air that flowed down the brae with the water.

Aitch caught up with me there - just as a thunderstorm hit. Together we drove the next few miles to the caravan park where she'd arranged accommodations for us. The purpose of this week was for her to join in a gathering of geocachers and participate in various activities, as well as lots of actual geocaching. I was there as a 'muggle', one who can cache without getting into all the gadgetry and gimmicks. Support crew, or "go for" if you will. I was looking forward to sharing Aitch's purpose and as we went into the first evening gathering, I completely forgot myself - and on each gathering over the weekend. The mantra I have raised ad infinitum since 2020... WEAR YOUR MASK ...for reasons I cannot explain (beyond being distracted by the sense of adventure) got totally forgotten. Which might have meant nothing - but as you are now aware, meant everything.

I am in the vulnerable/at-risk health category, and it is entirely my own fault that I did not safeguard myself. It is fair to accept that wearing masks may not be a 100% health security measure, but NOT wearing them, when in that category, certainly is foolhardy, not to say, risky. 

Before it got to that, though, the week was filled with wonder and fun, and I will share a bit more of that with you before we hit the tale of woe, when I can get my tech to comply.

Because that is the other thing that seems to be going wrong. I have a lovely film of road tripping through the Borders and after three attempts, YTube has totally mangled it every time... and now, just as I am about get going again, I can't seem to get my photos app to work on the OctoKan....sigh....... so there MIGHT be a post tomorrow... or there might not.......