Not at the helm

I give thanks for the great green safari of the slow train to Portsmouth. Actually there's three so the biggest gratitude of all is that you don't have to change platforms but can use your energy for livestock and wildlife spotting - suckling calf, curly coated young alpaca, shire and Shetland,  black mules and red deer.

I give thanks for waters so still a couple of times in the night I wondered if we were moving, for a glorious dawn colouring the sea, for breakfast with dolphins, afternoon sun hot enough to get my skin out and a diet rich in French patisserie. But most of all I give thanks for not having to steer the ship of my life for a couple of days.