Another one bites the damp ......

... if it bit the dust it wouldn't be this far north, would it?





So, last year's tree is slung out along with the last year.









The new year has arrived and so far it's hard to tell the difference. The "news" still tells the same stories, the weather is still rather too cool, windy, damp, grey and if outdoors is your "thing" I'd describe it as "unfit for purpose."

The fire has been lit, the bottle of red opened and no doubt one will be encouraged to tidy up and sort out whatever it is I haven't tidied up or sorted out. Another job for dreckly, then.

At least the old tree will soon be taken apart with an axe and made ready for shredding and burning.

I shall soon be getting ready to pack all the essentials needed for a sojourn in a calmer, warmer, drier, sunnier place. Camera, but just one, lenses, only the one fitted, flashgun, nope, remote triggers, extra cameras, lenses, flashguns, pocket wizards, tripod or even monopod ... nope, extra cards, nope, extra battery, yes, charger, nope, usb cable yup.

Laptop, power supply, iPod, iPad,usb cables, binoculars. Yes.

Not even taking our own coffee as we found some pretty decent stuff there last time so that's another 2kg spare but I'll probably take 500g of finest English Breakfast blend again as tea bags just aren't right for afternoon tea, especially if guests turn up.

What will I do with all the spare baggage allowance? I make it about 8-10kg less than last year. Half of that could be taken up with an as yet uncut Christmas cake if permesso is given.

A year ago we were packed and ready to go by this time, this year we're just ready to go but we have six days to wait before we fly. That delay seemed such a good idea a year ago when it was all such a rush, now it feels like a penance for having the temerity to fly 12 degrees further south and a couple of degrees further east and so joyfully desert these monochrome shores.

I can't wait, nor can my mentor who is currently poring over the maps we collected last year and who only a moment ago suggested that we take the SatNav out of the car because it "may be nice to hire a car for a while."

The new year then, just like the old year with so much to look forward to, I can feel the excitement rising.

I trust that if you've read this you are also excited at the prospect of 2015.

Mined ewe, if you've read this you must be pretty desperate but I do hope that in 2015 your trials are few and only minor irritants and your joys are many and magnificent.