Pottering about the countryside

I have had a strange week. I tell myself that weeks like this are unusual, although I do seem to have a few of them. I left home at 6.00 am on Monday to travel by train (the only efficient form of travel if you actually want to achieve anything while you move) for Thurso on Scotland's north coast. It is a long slow journey - a colleague made the train journey from Paris to Edinburgh as quickly the week before - but does give an opportunity for uninterrupted work. The view is also pretty good although frustrating as I travel along the rivers Tay, Helmsdale and Thurso all populated by fishermen as I tap at laptop keys. I went there to see people in connection with an excellent project with which we are involved at work. I met them, I slept in a friendly hotel and then I left Thurso on on the 6.50 am train on Tuesday to return to Edinburgh - another eight uninterrupted hours with the exception of polite chat with fellow travellers who were on their way to Berwick upon Tweed. I was jealous. I visited the office. I made a fleeting appearance in the office on Wednesday morning and then went out to clients. I went from that client to Perthshire where I joined a Scottish Wildlife Trust field trip to The Hermitage, had dinner, slept in a friendly hotel and then left Pitlochry at 6.00 am on Thursday to meet clients in Livingston. I went to the School Sports. I have been in the office all day to day and then I went home (via the pub!). It has felt, although has probably not been, shambolic!