I spent a long weekend in the Highlands a week ago, so that I could research another book. I don’t want to give anything away at this stage, but part of the research involved standing at the top of a long winding hill and shuddering at the thought of what happened there many years ago. I knew whose story I wanted to tell and why I needed to do it. It’s the story of someone who’s been misrepresented or forgotten over the years.

The trip was fun and a great success in terms of meeting and interviewing people and going to exciting places. But several things happened in Scotland that I didn’t expect.

On a whistle-stop rush to Skye to walk on the Coral Beach and climb some rocks, I encountered an unexpected snag. The hire car hit a pot hole and a tyre blew. I spent three hours stuck in a windy spot miles from anywhere, gazing at a beautiful Scottish Presbyterian church, admiring the view of the mountains.

Or, as a friend said, we got a puncture in the Cuillins.

Of course, out of what seemed to be a problem came an opportunity. I was given a ride back to Inverness by the wonderful Mavis and her son Evan, who were really fabulous people. I dived in for a curry in Beauly at nine o clock and then headed off into a glen to walk about and watch deer until one in the morning.

I discovered a new favourite smoky whisky in an inn on the edge of Loch Ness where Murray kindly served me some tempura vegetables that weren’t on the menu. And for breakfast, porridge made with maple syrup and oat milk kept the cold out all day long.

 Spring in Scotland is beautiful beyond belief.

I met a great couple from New Jersey who were gazing at the scenery with me in Glengarry, and we had a lovely chat about the best places to visit.

Anna, a lovely Russian woman I met in a castle, told me about Dores beach, not far from the infamous Boleskine House. I had to go there – the beach, not the house – and spend a while on the banks of the loch.

Another idea for a novel came to me while I was in Scotland, and I’m really, really excited about it. It won’t be written this year – well, it might – but I’m going to sit on it for a while and see how it gels.

It’s a goody. It has everything going for it that makes for an exciting romantic heartbreaking story.

But I’ve said enough.

I can’t wait to go back to Scotland. I’ve had an invitation to do a talk there. And I have some serious research to do based on the new idea. Another hill. Another sad story. Maybe I’ll be able to go back at the end of this year.

Who fancies coming with?!!

Back at my desk in the writing cave, I’m half way through a new novel. There’s another one out in June this year, one in August, one at the end of the year. That’s an awful lot of edits.

I need to take time out to rest and to replenish. I spend a lot of time with stimulating, lovely people and a great deal of time in nature. That’s really so nice.

And soon, I may have some great news to tell you about a new cozy crime series. It will involve some research and travel to one of my favourite places. My editor and publisher love the idea, so there’s a green flag for a new future character or two.

It’ll be a lot of words, a lot of ideas. But I’m blessed, privileged and very happy to be doing what I do.

You won’t hear me complain.