First viewing booked for Friday, First draft of the Business plan prepared and First news that our friend Mark is doing fine

Mark had a call from Dobsons today letting us know that the first viewing of our house has been arranged for Friday. Yippee! When we came home this evening after work, there was a huwauge "For Sale" sign in the garden. Mark said "I knew they'd put it there...I hope they haven't ruined the grass or owt". Tidy queen. I spoke to Ann at Arran Estate Agents today to update her with our progress and to reassure her and especially the vendors of the cottage our commitment and intention to buy it. I assured her that we had not simply visited on holiday and fantasized about moving to the Island. We have exciting, and we think realistic, plans and intentions. She chuckled supportively and said she would keep in touch.

This evening we made the first proper draft of the business plan and now we are working on assigning areas for each of us to work on and edit. It seems a bit daunting but we have had some kind offers to proof-read, comment, give feedback and advice and we will take those offers with enormous gratitude. I also met an excellent bloke today through a work-related project. We discussed making web-based documents properly accessible for people who have visual impairements. It was really exciting to talk about the possibilities for making a future website which can be enabling for all our potential guests and friends.

I waited until this evening to call and find out how our good friend Mark Grimwood is doing following his operation in York Hospital today. I spoke to Amy, his daughter, and she said that he had come through it very well. This was very excellent news. Mark undoubtably will be one of our most treasured and critical guests when we move to Arran and we are looking forward to seeing him very soon.