Dearest Jules,

Not sure how lucid I can be this evening, as am a touch squiffy after 2 nights of going to bed at 3am, plus I sent Calum off to Montreal this morning after a couple of “health drinks” involving fresh grapefruit juice, vodka, vermouth, and fizzy water. I pride myself on being a good example to my progeny.

Lots of things happening here, notably career opportunities which seem to have suddenly proliferated after 2 years of zero progress, but more of that later.

Donald Trump seems to have descended to a new low with his description of “shithole” countries from which we do not want to accept immigrants. I really wonder how low he can go…. My only hope is that, on the basis of “yin and yang”, enough good will come out of this poisonous administration.

Calum was here for the weekend, and will be here again next weekend for his 21st birthday on the 21st of January. I feel the end approaching of the child-rearing years, and am honestly delighted, both that we have managed to produce 4 fine citizens, and also that the 16+ years of continuous Uni fees are coming to an end.

2018 promises 2 marriages and a birth in our family – a reassuring reminder of my dwindling significance!

I will sign off here and get back to my bubbling “man stew” of minced beef, onion, tatties, celery and tomato sauce which I am preparing for Diane’s arrival back from work. My great friend Clive Unger Hamilton describes this as “brown cooking”, which sums it up rather well. I really don’t follow recipes, I probably should learn to, as I now seem to have become the cooker of meals in our joint, with Diane working so much…

Am so excited for you with your new island existence on Tiree becoming a reality. Fabulous! Exactly what our mother would have wished for!! I feel like I might not be terribly far behind you…

Much love as ever

Jamie