Change of scene

Off to Glasgow tomorrow to spend the weekend at JP's and I'm so looking forward to it. Because of the bad weather we weren't able to do much over the holidays and I suddenly feel like I haven't been out of Edinburgh for months. A new view, his comfy bed, and several hours watching Grand Designs: this is what I need.

Thanks for all your feedback on my "women in today's economy" dilemma. Funny, a girl at work announced today that she is expecting. Having just started in a new position last year, she has made the decision that women so often must make - to pause her career to make way for a family. As women, we are still so defined by our biology. Forget positive or negative - it just is. My colleague is nervous but glowing and happy, and this is the most important thing.

It has been a strange week. I feel distracted and very tired, with huge waves of sadness that take over me and make me think of a painter who lunges across the canvass with her brush, leaving a wake of colour. I am an arch of blue, my horseshoe ends weeping down the page.

The photo that tells the story is this one of rafters in B.C.'s Fraser Canyon. Look at the bottom right to see the one who has fallen from the raft and is paddling frantically to safety.