I woke up this morning, on Varanus Island, in an absolute panic as I thought I’d made a really basic error in a calculation. As it’s a calculation allowing the plant to start up, the consequences could have been immense. A quick check, and I had got the workings correct so my panic subsided. I … Continue reading Lessons learned →

Just a few photographs of my new site, where I am currently working for a week while the plant undergoes major maintenance. It’s a nature reserve, and it’s incongruous walking down to the plant padding a beautiful beach, seeing whales and watching the ospreys. We can swim in the evening, so I had to do … Continue reading Varanus Island →

A Banksy exhibition on Sunday, seeing a wide range of artworks of which I had little appreciation, knowing only the famous stencil type pieces. Pointed commentary on war, violence, consumerism but also humour and lightness. A light meal in a nearby bar ( photos courtesy of And’s), enjoying a morning away from unpacking and house … Continue reading Disruptive street art →

Well it’s nearly finished, we are completely moved into the new house with only a motorbike and camper cover to come from the old house. There are boxes everywhere, but it’s now a functional home where we’ve cooked a few meals, relished a few glasses of wine, done a couple of loads of laundry, have … Continue reading The big move is done →

I’ve just started a science fiction book, set in a starship hotel. The main area of the lobby is screen free, as the height of luxury in an era a few hundred years hence. This seems particularly relevant today, given I’ve been stuck in Heathrow Terminal 3 for 18 hours now, an expected overnight stay … Continue reading Airports and books →

On the train again, heading from Cornwall up to Heathrow for the flight home, via an overnight stop near Reading to meet an old friend for a night. The train trip is a welcome few hours in a comfortable chair, to absorb the last few days of the holiday in a beautiful part of the … Continue reading Stunning Cornwall, theme park villages →

A couple of days in Plymouth, with a crazy mixture of sun and incredibly heavy rain. We walked along the coast path, found a couple of pubs and a gin distillery, swam at the Lido which is in the process of refurbishment. A highlight was a ferry trip over to Cremyll, walking through gardens and … Continue reading Grey rainy Plymouth →

Good weather, bad weather, we had it all in Edinburgh as with all of Scotland. Heavy rain, cold and wind blasting down Princess street, sun shining through rain, sunshine and eating an ice cream in the gardens, a sunny warm ( by Scottish standard ) walk up Arthur’s Seat with a brisk breeze at the … Continue reading Weather in Edinburgh →

A wild and exhilarating ferry trip from Skye to Mallaig, spent up on the open observation deck watching waves and swell breaking over the ferry. A few days walking around Oban, a short pleasant kayak just out of the harbour, some of the best seafood I’ve eaten anywhere, a walk on Kerrera on a quick … Continue reading Thrilling journey to Mallaig, drizzly Oban & the banks of Loch Lomond →

Skye has been an experience, so wild and such changeable weather ! Rather than a guesthouse or hotel, we are staying in a beautiful self-catering house with a view over the Sound of Sweat, and that has been perfect for the rain storms we have had passing over us all day with the odd bit … Continue reading Stormy Skye →