It is not true. The world is far from being a small place. It may not matter whether friends, family, close ones are an hour down the road or in a different country because we can jump in the car, get on a plane, pick up a phone or write or read a blog post. But none of that is like spending real time with them. Time to just sit and drink coffee before a day starts properly. Time that doesn't have to be measured, time to do stuff in a day as the fancy takes and there is always tomorrow if it doesn't all fit. Time that includes long evenings and mornings and then more. And when there is time like that to find a bar and sip a beer or just drive a bit further up the valley, as far as a ruined abbey or a signposted cave, it can be the best time in the world.


It was so good to spend a bit of time like that with my brother for the first week in January. We struggle to stay in touch, busy lives, different countries and suchlike. Equally we both had a hard time last year. But now is time to be different and I hope he feels as optimistic as I do about this year.


February and I think that I should really be in gear for 2007. So here is to more contact... I know you called last night and I will try and get you at home tomorrow. I hope to see you over here before too long Murray too, come and see Hull. I'll check to see when Fonda 500 are playing.