Happy New Year

I must have taken this photo at least a hundred times, and every time it's different. It's the view from the front door of a cottage perched on the hills of Galloway where I head when the world gets too loud. It's nearly the perfect place to write - no cellular coverage to speak of, no Internet and two miles to the nearest road. But that 'nearly' creeps in because of no Internet.

If I had an organised mind I'd get all my research in before I leave home. But I'm not. I don't know what I don't know until I walk face first into the gap. So writing up here consists of fifteen minutes of key-stabbing, followed by five minutes sipping coffee and looking out of the window, then it's soditlet'sgoforawalk.

Being here for new year has become a tradition for my brother and me. This time the floods down nearer sea level kept us pretty much grounded, but the magic was there in its usual green-gold clothing.

Happy new year everyone. Let's all have a conspiracy and make this one the best ever.