JUNE: the new, improved model

For nearly 40 years, June has been one of the most frantic periods of our working year, leaving no room for appreciation of summer or nearest and dearest. We used to apologise to our children: "Sorry boys! It's June. But we'll make it up to you in July!" We knew that if one of us had an evening off, it must mean the other one had to be out ... it was utterly frantic and totally exhausting. As a result, we were very rarely in Arran in June, the time of year we had so loved to spend here when we were students.

NOW, of course, it's entirely different and we have loved our time here, weather notwithstanding! We've been interested in seeing the different groups of visitors; student-types and older schoolchildren on field trips; young families with pre-schoolers but, most noticeable of all, the number of happy mature folk, clearly getting the best out of this month on Arran, walking, golfing and just generally enjoying.

This couple (unaware that the lens was surreptitiously pointing at them!) seemed to me to have the recipe! Walking shoes and poles; waterproof jackets and sunhats; rucksacks ; an Arran guidebook and Arran's local paper, The Banner.
The bus will be along any minute.