But not to worry! I know how to fix it.
I’m in the habit of waiting too long to do updates and so, when I updated the PHP version, everything broke. Then I could not go back. So it required a clean install with a newer version of WordPress.
Because it had been so long since I had done this, I had totally forgotten to save my uploads folder (having a head cold didn’t help either as I was not thinking clearly). So re-uploading images, etc., and reconnecting them.
I am just glad it is only my own website. So have patience as I put it all back together!