So, Ian, what's it all about?

Well, Frank, that is a good question.

I ask myself. This isn't cheap, isn't easy, and is going to take up lots of my time. And what will it do for me?

I have a good job, and that has nothing to do with wine. I am very happily married. There are not enough hours in the day to do what I already need to do, not enough days leave to go all the places I want to go and not enough brain power to think clearly about all the other important things in my life.

Is it a mid-life crisis? Is it a vanity: 'I know lots of stuff'? Is it escapism? Do I need to prove something to myself? Am I worried that I am too boring? (judging by this blog, Frank, the last one is a candidate.)

I have, or have had, other interests. I have been in bands. With that one I find that one's musical tastes are rarely well matched with those of the people I love (and whom I suspect I would like to impress) such that they remark, 'your band is really good; you should play songs I like, then you'd be even better'. I have tried long distance running but that takes up far more time than it should and is not conducive to spending time with anyone else. People I know either run too quickly or not at all.

This journey started as a gift from The One and so I feel I have been given permission to indulge. Maybe that's it?

Short answer is it's probably all of the above and more. But whatever the truth I am going to give it a good shot and see where it takes me. Glad you have chosen to keep me company.