You know how I was off message for quite a while? Well, it's far too easy to break the habit and, between then and now, I've simply forgotten to do a blog! Too many other things on my mind I guess. It's been all go at the office today - a new front door (the old one was rotten), a new posh post box attached to the outside wall near the door and the place is getting painted and decorated - the new door is being primed as we speak. All this activity and I've got Mango back as well. Did I tell you about Mango? She's an adorable black and white springer spaniel, very like my old Toby was but half the size and a bit timid. Her favourite thing in the world is playing ball and you've never seen an animal move so fast! At the moment she's curled up under my desk sound asleep (lucky dog!). Not that I want to be curled up under my desk, but the sleep bit sounds good.
I've had a last minute invitation to join the new expedition ship, Plancius, on her voyage from Oban on the West coast of Scotland to Svalbard (Spitsbergen) in 10 days' time. The journey takes us via St Kilda, the Faroe Islands and Jan Mayen and it should be absolutely fanastic. The only downside is that the timetable to get ready for the Bird Fair in August has been shot to pieces. Not to worry. I've got a trip to the Faroes at the beginning of July (leaving on my birthday!) with a full group which should be super. I do love that place, not least its people. Then in August it's the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water - and this will be the last time I exhibit there for reasons which will be apparent - no, we're not closing Island Holidays - far from it! September will find me heading off to the Azores on a new itinerary which includes the remote islands of Flores and Corvo, not visited by the majority of people who get as far as The Azores. Yes, there ARE still a few places left and I can't recommend the tour highly enough. It's special.
The last thing to tell you about is what will be a trip of a lifetime - again on board the Plancius - starting
in Ushuaia on the southern tip of South America and going to the Falkland Islands (where Island Holidays' first ever tour went in 1988), South Georgia (one of my dream destinations) and the Antarctic Peninsula. Excited? You bet! Again there are places available - check out our website for full details. There's a 20% reduction on published prices and you'll never get an opportunity like this again. All that and the pleasure of my company!!!!!
Well, that's you up to date. I'm going to be very naughty later this afternoon and sneak off to watch Andy Murray play his second round match at the Paris Open. The first round was a 4-hour marathon of serioulsy high quality play from both Murray and Gasquet. I do love the tennis. Maddening that I'll miss the Wimbledon finals because of being in the Faroes but I guess you can't have everything.
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