Home.

Despite a slight delay while they run 'engine tests' the flight from Tokyo to London arrives on time, is as smooth as a mill pond ( the seat belt signs off all the way ) and tracks daylight from takeoff to landing. The sunrise reflected off the frigid air of the North Pole was a miraculous orange affair that lingered halfway between the ground and the horizon. On a less positive note I'd reckon a full quarter of the folks on board were snuffling and sneezing.

We overnight at a Heathrow hotel and then take the first flight to Edinburgh which, despite it being holiday season, is half empty. The hotel is charmless in that way  peculiar to airport hotels. At check out Angus complains about the lack of water pressure in the shower - think dribble rather than torrent. The desk clerk promises to look into it and gives me a look that implies the hospitality industry would be a great career choice if it wasn't for the customers. We land in Edinburgh early and our bags are on the carrousel in ten minutes. There are benefits to being on the first flight of the day.  By seven thirty we're in the car and heading over the Forth crossing towards home. Japan and the UK both drive on the left although that might be where the similarities end.

Into town to pick up some milk. Today will be a recovering from jetlag day and a lot of strong coffee will be consumed. Exams start next week so the town is eerily quiet. For the students partying is now in abeyance. We spot a large car being loaded up outside a hall of residence. The first sighting of a student finishing up for the year and heading home. A father is standing by the open tailgate and scratching his head in that 'Where are we going to put all your stuff ?' way that fathers do .

As we turn into the village we discover there's been a water leak in one of the farm cottages. The water board have shown up and blocked off the road. I ask if we can come through. A young man in a Scottish Water fleece informs us ' You'll need to find another way. I've got a job tae do '. He then adds the word 'Pal' to the end of the sentence. His mate grunts. This makes it clear the discussion has come to an end. Angus is too tired to argue. We retreat and take the dirt road that runs in a long meandering loop towards the shore. Neither of us have ever driven this way before in a car and are unsure whether the little BMW has the ground clearance to make it. It does - barely. Quail and pheasant scatter as we approach. 

The calves on the village green look at us with a comingled interest and nervousness. The lady who makes Maltezer cake sees us while out walking her dogs and waves. There is to be a V E Day celebration in the village hall tonight. " It would be grand if we saw you there ". The village hall portico   is already festooned in plastic Union flags. There will be a procession to the war memorial at the  auld kirk where the names of the fallen will be read out. The kirk has been sold off and is now a rather stylish house owned by a Norwegian couple and their three toddlers. We're fast approaching the time of year when it never gets dark so what they will make of  a procession appearing in their garden will be interesting to see. 

We had a wonderful time away but it is good to get home.

A friend who has just had heart surgery swore that this was true when I spoke to him last week :https://gizmodo.com/the-shingles-vaccine-could-be-a-secret-weapon-against-heart-attacks-2000598150

Dreams :https://www.thetransmitter.org/sleep/sleep-doesnt-just-consolidate-memories-it-actively-shapes-them/

Design :https://www.worksinprogress.news/p/the-purpose-of-a-building-is-how