Highlands

It hardly seems possible that we have spent nearly a month in Scotland, but somehow we have. We have managed to slow right down and to stop feeling that we have to race ever onwards to the next destination. It was our intention to be well on our way to Greece by now but instead we are still in the UK, still far north, with autumn truly upon us. We are far from drifting, but seem happier as a family to take things at a slower pace. The weather has certainly helped, blessing us with an Indian summer, and the landscape has done more than its fair share to keep us here too. Who minds waking up every morning to a view of Ben Nevis, covered in autumn bracken (as well as walkers) or the ever-changing Loch Lomond, either wrapped in mist, or glorious in September sun? It’s been easy and splendid to simply enjoy the air, the life and the stunning scenery. Who can get bored of watching the sea and skies from Skye, listening to the seals and hoping for a glimpse of a whale? Yes, it would easy to spend months here.

Not that we have been busy doing nothing, however. As always, work, of two kinds, has to prevail. The kids have to do school work and as teachers and parents we have got a bit more structured – hopefully a bit better – at this now September has well and truly arrived. It’s a bit less haphazard; a bit more planned. I remain convinced that they are doing more now than they did in school. Rowan tells me she had nine lessons of maths a week in her school and that each was 40 minutes long. That sounds a lot, but take off 10 minutes for late arrivals, interruptions and walking, and you’re talking 4.5 hours a week. It’s not unusual now for Rowan to spend 2 hours or more on the trot each day really ENJOYING her maths. She had previously found it really difficult, even arduous – now she is racing through and learning loads. I am having to send her to Daddy for help as I can’t get my head round what’s she’s doing quite often … has to be a good sign! I am still a big advocate for field work and first-hand experience, and we have been in the perfect place to study glaciation, river features, mountain forming and more. The kids have written poems about what they see, studied Scottish poets and had more geography lessons than I think Joe ever did in his school career. It’s not always easy to ensure equal coverage for all subjects and the correct level for each child, but we are getting there. The kids are hungry to learn, which is a huge blessing.

Work work – that which earns money – has probably been the most critical factor in where we have stayed and for how long. You don’t want to be doing a six-hour journey, or wild camping, when something is due to go to print. We have needed to be as accessible as if we were sitting in an office (shudder at the thought) so have to plan places where we have internet, phone signal and TIME for our clients. This has not been easy. Getting the balance right and giving Joe enough time and room when in a relatively small space with 5 people (three of whom are noisy, bouncy and demanding) has been tough. Joe will naturally get annoyed if we are all over the van when he’s working, but similarly doesn’t want to miss out on too many adventures if we go off without him. Again however, I think we’re starting to get it right. My selection of campsites now starts with a) open all year and b) wireless internet available!