Guess what? The world is still out there. I know you watch the news, maybe read the paper and keep up with your friends via phone, email, Facebook, Instagram and Zoom. But that’s nothin’ like the real thing, baby.

I’m writing to you from the tiny Scottish Highland town of Pitlochry. It’s day three of my first spring season tour, Wool & Whisky. Day five of me being in Scotland. It’s been a veritable monsoon of activity, emotion, reflection and reconnection from the moment I arrived. I’ve hardly had time to sit with my phone to tap-tap-tap-tap on my keyboard in order to communicate with you. And I mean that in the very best way. My time has been full, my load of responsibilities full but also my heart has been full – so all good on this end of things despite my days long silence.

It is the same now as it has been in the past when leading tours. I’m so busy and am staying on top of so many things that the only time I have to relax is given over to sleep rather than writing. There just aren’t enough hours in a day to facilitate a group tour well PLUS write thoughtfully about what is happening. So you’ll have to excuse a little more radio silence. I do have substantial breaks in between each tour, so should be able to post then.

In the meantime, I’m happy to report the following:

• Scotland is still here, ever feisty, rough and sharp-witted as ever. I still understand what is said much of the time. I still hope to run into Robert Carlisle on a random street corner. Or Douglas Henshall (in a pinch, he’ll do).

AND GUESS WHAT ELSE?!?! History is repeating itself in that I tried saving my post with pictures last night while in a room far away from the wifi source and BOOM, this morning the majority of it was gone.

Allow me a moment while I curse profusely.

The gist of it all was that I’m fine, the trip is going well. Traveling again is renewing, occasionally perplexing and full if wonderful moments. I just have time to add in a small selection of photos before we depart for the day. Let’s hope it works.

Aaaaand I can see from the speed of the first photo that it works but slooooooowly. So maybe just three…