This time tomorrow, I’ll be back in the Outer Hebrides.
(Assuming, of course, FlyBe doesn’t mess up our plans, like they do for so many travellers to and from the islands.) And just why am I excited about visiting the Outer Hebrides?
The short answer is: it’s home. While home is here, in our little apartment with colourful cushions and a living room view of the Manhattan skyline, home is also the Outer Hebrides. These islands are home in a way that’s difficult to explain succinctly, or to put into words that really convey the sense of connection that comes from living there.
I’m excited to see my family and friends, some of whom I’ve not seen in person since I left in December 2014.
I’m excited to see my best friends’ babies, and their new homes, and hear about their ups and downs and the stories that only ever really come up when you’re face to face and belly laughing about something only the two of you understand.
I’m excited about browsing whatever art exhibition is on in An Lanntair (this one, featuring a peat stack inside the gallery, remains one of my favourites). I’m excited about catching up with my old colleagues at EVENTS Newspaper, and hearing about all the developments in the local news community.
I’m excited about popping into Delights, my favourite cafe in Stornoway, for a coffee and a malteaser slice, chatting to the owners and the regulars I used to chat with every morning before work. I’m excited about trying out the new coffee shops that have opened since I was last in town, and I’m excited about visiting the new Harris Distillery, on the shores of Loch Tarbert.
I’m excited about eating fish and chips, greasy and salty and sweet with vinegar. I’m excited about Stornoway Black Pudding and potato scones, and the flavoursome sandwiches just waiting to be picked up at 40 North on the West Side of Lewis. (Not to mention all the foods I wrote about in this expat story.)
I’m excited about smelling the sea when I step outside the front door, about walking on the beach in my wellies, about strolling through the Castle Grounds after it rains, when the smell of damp leaves and grass and rhododenrons fills the air.
I’m excited for all these reasons, and many, many more.
And in order to truly appreciate them all, I’ll be attempting to do something of a digital detox while I’m visiting the Outer Hebrides. Away from the laptop screen and iPhone glare, I want to be right in the middle of all those moments I’m excited about (so if things seem a little quiet on here, you’ll know why).
This time tomorrow, I’ll be back in the Outer Hebrides – and it can’t come soon enough.
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Is there somewhere you get excited about returning to? How do you feel about returning to the place(s) you call ‘home’?
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I’m so excited for you! This also makes me want to visit Stornoway. Have the best time!
Aw thanks Mel! I really hope you get to visit sometime – maybe when you’re in London?!
Hope you have a safe journey home.Might see you out and about on the island when I get home myself(on hols in Belize at present and heading back to Guatemala for another 10 days).Enjoy.x
Thanks Peggy! I had a good journey over, and I’m having a wonderful time being back! Hope you’re enjoying Belize 🙂
Have a wonderful time, Katie! Hope the weather stays sunny and crisp for you, it’s been beautiful in Scotland this week. Enjoy! x
Thanks Laura! I’ve experienced all four seasons since I got back last week, but it’s still wonderful! x
Beautiful post Katie, I hope you enjoy your time at home!
Brisbane is “home” for me, even though I live in Melbourne now. I always look forward to the warm hug of the humidity (strange, but true!) and the wild, lush overgrowth of my neighbourhood, which looks like it’s set in a subtropical forest, despite being not far from the city – green things just love to grow in Brisbane!
Thanks Genevieve! It’s wonderful being home 🙂 Brisbane sounds lovely – I like the sound of all that greenery!
Aw I really hope you enjoy being back on the Outer Hebrides! We’re hopefully planning a trip for the summer – which is so exciting! I’m going home to Montreal in two weeks and I just can’t wait for all the food and all the space and hopefully the sun! 😀
Thanks Camila, I’m having such a great time being back! I’m so excited to hear that you might be visiting in the summer 🙂 And have a wonderful time at home in Montreal – I’ll look forward to reading all about it! x