So week two of the Scottish sojourn begins. We spent five hours in the car through the most amazing scenery, such mountains and lochs, and we are now on Skye, high up on the northern coast. We were last here almost 37 years ago, on our honeymoon. Back then we travelled up by sleeper from Bristol, caught a bus from the station at Kyle of Lochalsh to Portree. We hired a Metro for a week, we couldn’t afford more. Mike assures me the scenery hasn’t changed, though I don’t remember much, I was a very anxious young woman, so most of my energy was spent on getting through the day! But I do remember waking up on that first morning and thinking, oh my, I’m going to have to think of something to cook everyday for the rest of my life! Times have thankfully changed, I can’t imagine either Millie or Hannah having such a thought, and luckily for both of us my cooking has vastly improved. I also discovered that Mike woke up with the lark, like a lark. Ping, and he was awake. I like to come to slowly, I like to keep my eyes shut as long as possible. There was a moment, as he sprang from the bed, so excited about the day, that I thought I’d made a terrible mistake!
37 years later and I would now joyfully admit that it was definitely not a mistake. Like all couples, we’ve had our ups and downs, but holidays have always been the moment when we take our temperature. Check what’s been going on, whether we need to change anything, whether we need to do things differently. This year, Mike is super tired, so we spent last week unwinding. This week we’ll have a bit more energy and time for some heart talking. Even after 37 years we still have to build up to the deep moments. The moments that change everything.
Last week, because we had lots of lovely time, I think I may have finished book 3, Missing You. It will need a rewrite because I need to add someone back in, and I’m a teeny weeny bit worried the end is a little dramatic but it’s mostly done. Book 2, Falling Tide, is currently with a rather good editor, so that also is coming along. And I got another good review on Amazon! I bet J K Rowling doesn’t check her reviews or her sales with such trepidation!
