Wick (Thos McKay): Week 14 – 16 September

Well, here I am again, after another trip to the wilds of Northamptonshire.  I’d like to say it was an uneventful trip, but it wasn’t.  Events started to unfold during my drive, when I read a text from the friend I’d stay with in Edinburgh.  The key was available from a neighbour over the road, she said.  Another text from her daughter shed some light:  her father had difficulties breathing and had been taken to A&E.  Everything was in readiness for my visit, please rootle through the fridge and cupboards as required.  After I arrived, another text to say it was probably a chest infection.

Evening on the Canal

My friend returned in the evening, and we chatted until I was starting to nod off.  The hospital phoned later, and it didn’t sound good. I retired but didn’t sleep well, waking early.  I occupied myself until a reasonable hour and went downstairs to find my friend sitting in the lounge.  Her husband had died overnight.  She’d taken a taxi to the hospital, but unfortunately didn’t get there in time.   

It was fortunate I was there; her daughter had taken the grandson home and would return the following day.  As happens in these situations, you’re in shock, operating on autopilot.  So many thoughts tumble around, so many things to do. I’d planned to travel on, but offered to stay until her daughter returned.  She said, no, after being awake most of the night, she would sleep, and inform people later.  I continued my drive, and she confirmed that I could stop there on my return trip.

The next event was the next day, when the ‘Fine Arts Valuer’ arrived to survey the contents of the family home.  I gave him a brief orientation tour. During this, he explained that valuations need to be in line with the market value – not undervalued, as the tax office doesn’t like that – and gave the extreme example of a three bed house in London whose contents were valued at £120!  It wouldn’t take him very long, he said.  I said I’d come look for him in the afternoon. 

Four hours later, he’d finished.  Usually his dictated notes are about 30 minutes long, but in this instance, it had been fifty.  We had a chat, and I learned a few things.  That chest in the corner of the dining room – it’s 18^th C, with a shelf for candles – you’d only get about £50 for that.  The Chinese carved chest in a bedroom – mass produced, not worth much.  G-plan coffee table – now that’s worth a bob or two. 

Blackberries are red when they’re green.

The gansey, of course, was not valued.  The back is complete, the front is nearly finished, with just a few rows to finish the second shoulder.  When the first shoulder was complete, I put the back and front together and found much to my chagrin that the pattern wasn’t going to work.  I hoped for a fishbone effect along the shoulder, but it’s going to be a diagonal line.  I thought of reversing the direction of the last half-fishbone on the back, but decided it would look odd against the regularity of the other fishbones.  I am hoping that it won’t be blatantly obvious.