Every adventurous journey starts with steps away from the known and familiar until you find that you have reached a point where the landscapes, both external and internal, have shifted, and the territory is new.

Today was such a slow, familiar beginning – a drive to Newark and a train to London. A tube and a bus brought me to my daughter’s and a very pleasant family evening. Early bed, because I have an early start to get to St Pancras for the first train to Paris.

Departing also means letting go of the settled and familiar routines of home life, and the constant presence of a very cherished spouse. So that has given today, with all its Easter joy, a slightly unsettled feeling, as we psyched ourselves up to say goodbye for a while. Once I have left we can both adjust to this new temporary reality – harder, I think, on the leavee than the leaver.

So I am ‘on the way’ again, in every sense, and look forward to what is to come. Good night!