Apologies for the week-long pause. We had a bereavement in the family and my mind and energy have been elsewhere. I’m heading to the UK this evening so posting will be light over the coming weeks. But I do hope to add the odd photo or two from my travels.

Much as I am dreading the mist, fog and rain, I have to admit that I am looking forward to seeing the British countryside again. I was reminded of its beauty only the other day by a Guardian story about iPod-walking tours of the Lake District. No time for that on this trip. A glimpse of the countryside through a train or car window may have to do.