We forgot just how amazing the Scottish Islands really are in all our travels and even after 100’ of trips, countries and destinations - they still stand up against the rest of the worlds best. More subtle perhaps - but they are a world of adventure away.

This picture if from the Isle of Mull and if you want to see a sea otter (all UK Otters are just Otters, but they can live in fresh or salty water) Mull is great place to spot one. It is also one our favourite islands, and wildlife abounds in the sea, in the air and on the land. It is just a fabulous place to visit and relax in, and the midges were kind to us when we visited.

Mull has a magical atmosphere, and Hen Harriers and Golden Eagles can be seen here with a little patients. We are also love the Isle of Aran with its Mountainous landscape and swooping roads, but disappointed by the wool. Apparently that’s the other Arran in Ireland! Aran does have a lovely wool shop by the way, and plenty of sheep!

Mull is responsible for one our Aphithany moments, when we linked the idea that many of the henges seem to be sited where the main focal point is the saddle between two hills or mountains, possibly linked to sun rise or set, and that some of them may have been islands - surrounded by water, so you would have to cross from the world to get to the spirit world of the temple. We will put it all together at some point. Just a thought?

From the Shetlands in the far north 100 miles from the mainland you will find a place perhaps more Viking (Norse0 than Scottish,, home to Up Helle Ah - The Fire Festival (there are many others, but this is the most famous), through to the Orkneys with Killer Whales and giant Sea Eagles, now breeding on Hoy for the first time in 145 years, together with its stunning Neolithic structures and temples, Orkney is steeped in Stone and Bronze Age history.

The Outer Hebrides and The Standing Stones of Calanais, tells of 5000 years of history, and it is just one of many.stone circles. Set on the Isles of Lewis (Harris and Lewis are the same island like Hispaniola - Haiti and Dominican Republic). Lewis is famous for its Chess Men - now in the British Museum in London and Edinburgh.

It is a shame that at least some (there are 91 pieces) are not still on the Island - it would be great to travel to see some of these items in situ, so you get the full atmosphere, but I guess more people get to see them in the big cities.

And if you haven’t already tried Harris Gin - you haven’t lived yet! You can get it on line and the bottles and glasses are beautifully designed in their own right.

We would love to set The Museum of Travel up on one of the Islands, as a centre of learning, to inspire local communities and children, as well as a attraction for tourists, creating job opportunities and training. Ideally we would like to leave it to the community when we have gone, so it will continue to benefit the local people, as well as being a fun and educational centre. If you are a local authority, fellow Museum or an ethical entrepreneur and think you can help why not drop us an email.

We loved Armenia - sadly another country which finds itself at war with its neighbour. If ever there was a nation that needed a break Armenia would fit the bill. We loved the honesty of the people, (wine is just left at the edge of the bars onto the street overnight) the warmth of the people, and their alphabet! Not many nations can boasts a monument to an alphabet, but with one containing 38 letters—31 consonants and 7 vowels why wouldn’t you.

A deeply religious country, like Georgia, we had an amazing time in this country, visiting peoples homes and families, often with non descript facades, but when you enter they open up into courtyards and a small holding of fresh vegetables, vineyard and the ever present home distillery, not to mention a Lavash oven for cooking the bread, often by visiting bakers.

The mountains and countryside are breathtaking as are the views over Mount Ararat in Turkey just across the border. We really enjoyed the hospitality and similarities in many respects of our own country of Wales. Georgia is perhaps a bit more like Scotland. It is different to Armenia in that it feels more developed, but not without its history of troubles.

Georgians seem to have a sense of humour (They also play rugby union) similar to the English and share a common - Saint - St George, there is so much to see and do and the capital Tbilisi, it is a back packers dream. But it’s only went you get out of the capital then the real Georgia starts to emerge.

The massive industrial complexes and manganese mines, the old Soviet era sanatoriums and sea side towns on the Black Sea, complete with birds such as Great Arctic Divers. (Loons). Batumi is a great place to promenade.

Trips along the Military Highway and high mountain passes with Buzzards and Eagles souring high, and monasteries of an ancient order stir the soul.

The highlight amongst highlights is the Treasure Room at The Georgian National Museum, which is how it should be done. The exquisite Lion figurine from the 3rd millennium B.C stands just 4.1 cm high, but it roars craftsmanship. We have a replica from the Museum in our collection, so taken were we of it.

The Caucus Mountains are stunning, and we hope that peace and prosperity returns to the region and that people find a way to work together as they have over thousands of years. This is the time to go, to see the authentic Georgia and Armenia and all they have to offer, and they have a lot to give.

If truth be known we only went to tick off off some destinations, we were last here and in 1984 and its changed a bit. We are not sure about Dubai - its become like a Disney country - but some people will and do love it. The Burj Khaiifa doesn’t look that tall - it is and is officially the worlds tallest building. Like any city emerging it had some great ideas and amazing architecture and the Museum of the Future building is stunning - one of the best designed buildings we have ever seen - we’d be very proud if this was out Museum - that’s for sure. It just seems an emirate of excess, but I guess that is the whole point.

Abu Dhabi is a bit more dialled down and we loved the not just the marbled architecture and flower motifs of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque but the calmness and serenity of the space. We were made to feel very welcome.

The Louvre at Abu Dhabi is another example of stunning architecture and the building itself is worth visiting in its own right, let alone its stunning collection of artefacts, but it wasn’t until we got out of the two powerhouses that we felt we got to see some of the ‘real’ UAE.

We were lucky enough to visit all the emirates, including the lesser known and visited ones, and there is something quiet charming about a simple pleasure like buying a water melon from a gentleman from Oman, and the serious business of testing and asking how sweet it was. “The best” he said - he wasn’t wrong. From the cooling mountains, an old Russian IL 76 Jet abandoned in the desert, to deserted coral beaches and turquoise blue seas, and the old airport with its De Havilland aircraft collection (well worth a visit) along with fish markets, and stunning scenery there is a lot more to the UAE - and for our money this is the real UAE. And we couldn’t help but end with a visit to a mosque a tiny one, and such a serene and tranquil place. The Al-Bidya Mosque is a historical mosque in the Emirate of Fujairah set between the Gulf and the Harjar Mountains and built in 1446 it is the oldest surviving Mosque in the UAE. It our opinion it is worthy of a UNESCO site.

It been so frustrating - cancelation after cancelation lost flights and uncooperative airlines - but in-between your frustration spare a thought for the millions who didn't make it out of Covid 19, and see it for what it really is - a bit of inconvenience, a challenge - a problem to be solved.

We have longed to go to Peru and Bolivia - but we had to cut back to Peru only, so Bolivia will have to wait for another day We have many artefacts in from South America including items from the Chimú, and Mocha, which originate from North Peru. Our trip is taking in the central Peru regions, and two places we have always wanted to visit. The Home for retired bears to Aunt Lucy (Paddington joke), but it would be nice to see her!

But more seriously the Mountain Kingdom of Machu Picchu the 15th Century Inca citadel, and the Nazar Lines. with their communication to “The Gods” or ancient astronauts? We’ll update you once we have been.