h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Now safely home again after an epic journey to Ultima Thule (Roman name for Shetland, apparently), Orkney and Aberdeen.

The ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick last Monday night left 5 hours late, due to 100 mph winds, so we sailed at midnight and arrived at about 1pm. I discovered pretty quickly that lying down in the cabin was the best way to get through it, but it was rather disconcerting to find myself sliding up and down the bed ...

Lots of interesting visits: stone circles, Neolithic dwellings and burial chambers, the RSPB reserve at Sumburgh (sadly the puffins were keeping well out of sight), castles, brochs, St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, the Aberdeen art gallery, "the University, Old Aberdeen, the Brig' o' Balgownie, the Bridge of Don, the beach and Footdee, a traffic snarl-up, loadsa country roads, Susan's shop, a stone circle, a Norman chirch and a country pub" (copyright Douglas's journal!).

Still processing the trip - will think about it some more when I've sorted out the photos. I certainly saw a lot more than I would have managed on an independent visit, but not sure that the coach trip format is really my thing.

Back to work tomorrow, expecting an overflowing inbox. We are also interviewing for our next Schools Liaison Officer - the current one leaves at the end of July.

Only 166 emails in the inbox - not bad after a week away. Deleted all the spam and have dealt with more than half the others, along with administering pre-interview tests this afternoon.