A brief change in environment is always interesting. It's nothing short of fun to return to places one visits on occasion that have good memories behind them. And then to embark on yet another small adventure of re-acquainting oneself with a landscape that is truly remarkable. It's why we return year after year to the Waterville Valley in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We're no longer capable of climbing the steep mountains we once took pleasure in ascending with our children when they were teens. Since they're now all in the fifties, that is quite some time ago.

While we were in New Hampshire on our week away from home we also celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary. And managed, despite the gradual diminishing of our energy output and stamina to mount a few relatively modest trails leading to impressive lookouts.

But when the week was over, we were more than prepared to return home. We couldn't possibly ask for more sweet kindness from our hosts of the past decade and more. They're the dearest of people imaginable, and it is always a distinct pleasure to greet them again and renew that appreciated acquaintance we have built over the years. It's always like that; we enjoy a week away and then after having re-visited some of the favourite trails we're still able to traverse, we yearn to return home. And so, yesterday we did just that.

Even on the highways, seeing the grassy mediums bright with lupine and daisies, there's pleasure, let alone viewing the passing grandeur of the mountain summits with their aeries deep in enveloping cloud. And we acknowledge those peaks, as we pass, that we had once ascended and found huge pleasure on doing so.

But back home we are once again. And it never fails, the thrill of arriving back home after a week apart from the place we're most comfortable with. An inspection of the gardens, however brief, is mandatory to bring ourselves up to what we might have missed in that time away. Sure enough, the peonies are well on their way, the rhododendrons are beginning to fade, the roses are halfway to splendour, the irises are almost spent, and the lilies are coming into their own.

And when we step into the house, it all looks so oddly 'new', in the sense that everything sparkles and presents in the best possible perspective. Those transitory times away are very much anticipated, but returning home is yet another reward when we view our surroundings with a refurbished attitude of pride and belonging.