In my case, it was an eight-year-itch.

In April 2002 or thereabouts I decided to leave Cornwall in order to seek new adventures and to “find myself”, so to speak. But rather than inflict myself on the viewers of reality TV I took the less public step of moving to Herefordshire, a home from home, it being my parents’ home county.

In Herefordshire (another beautiful rural county) I met lots of people. Some good, some bad; some respectable, some not so. And I got up to many things, some worthwhile and many downright ridiculous. And I did find myself.

And having done so, I felt the itch.

Too many visits to Cornwall to remember finally reawakened my love of the coast and particularly of St Austell Bay, my home territory.

That was a year ago.

And now I’m home. Older, wiser, a little slimmer and hopefully secure in the knowledge of what I’m good at, and what I want to do with my time.

So, what’s this blogsite all about then?

Well, I thought that the “return of the native”, as it were, might produce some interesting reflections, so why not share them with anybody who thinks it worth their time to read them.

I’ve been two weeks at my new job (which I won’t go into much for fear of confusing some very specific marketing messages) and I’m looking into RYA training centres for one which will teach me to sail a dinghy. I’ve found myself a brilliant place to run, and when the elder trees are in flower I’ll be getting well and truly stuck in to an old favourite hobby of mine – making country beverages.

I realise now that when I was growing up I took Cornwall completely for granted. Now, having waited a year to find suitable employment before relocating, I know how lucky I am to be able to say once more, “I’m back home – in Cornwall.”