It took Odysseus 10 years to get home from Troy, it took me twice as long to return to my first archaeological love of Orkney last year and here I am again in the archaeological paradise of these fantastic islands, specifically Rousay where I'm on my (?now annual) 'busman's' holiday at the Knowe of Swandro (check out the web page).
A five mile length of the southern coastline of this island boasts at least six chambered cairns and five Iron Age brochs ... And now Swandro. This year it looks like we are going to have sun, sea and sand (though the latter is also blessed - not − with a helping of kelp) ... What's not to like?
By air, land and sea ... the final mode of transport to the island of dreams arrives (Rousay in the background) ... Odysseus eat your heart out ....