People who love Harris tend to do so with a passion, and my trip there recently was instigated, encouraged and facilitated by some of them. Three - not surprisingly - are photographers, and I thank all them all. 

Burgundy: lush, green, undulating landscape, cattle and vineyards, canals and chateaux. Saturday morning at Beaune market was mellow; meandering among the stalls, poking through the flea market, a bit of street theatre, catching up over coffee under the plane trees. Exhale...

She's a plasterer, in Delhi. She's so herself...if that makes sense?

The northern coast of Aquitaine is a bit of a hidden gem, with long stretches of almost deserted beach. The currents can be tricky, and in some places treacherous, but the sea is fantastic to watch. There are only intermittent access points, unless you’re on foot or horseback, and there is no over-developed, fluorescent stuff to be found. It’s a glorious place to wander, dream, and re-balance - and off-season is just as good a time to go, wrapped up well.

I was on my second trip to rural France for the new book, and actually rather a bit lost. I was trying to find what turned out to be one of the most lovely hotels I've visited, when I drove past this view. I stopped, of course, and put the hazard lights on - it wasn't a very sensible place to stop - and stood there for a moment or two, just loving the undulations and the lines. A car came past, first slowing down politely, then down came the window, and the gentile homme asked whether I was ok - could he help?  I thanked him profusely, assured him I was fine, and he drove on.

I’m back in France, photographing more lovely places for the new book. Chateau de Rodie was amazing - the ancient castle sits within a working farm, with more animals and birds than I could count, including a number of rare breeds, not least a flock of Landais sheep. Suzanne, below, and her sister (Mole - don’t ask!) get the birds inside every night, safe from foxes. I went with them , and we took  a moment to watch this snowy white bird’s display - unlike the bird on the left. He’d presumably seen it all before.

I last visited Mont St Michel about 30 years ago, and had forgotten how imposing and surprising it is. It’s essentially  a rocky island off the Brittany coast, with the abbey built around its granite apex. Below is the village, built on sand in a fortified enclosure, surrounded by the bay - which has the strongest tides in Europe.

Tomorrow Alastair Sawday's new book, Go Slow France, is published, for which I made four trips to France last summer...talk about a dream commission! I visited and photographed 21 of the amazing places for the book, which has a foreword by Jean-Christophe Novelli. Go Slow France is the third book in Sawday's hugely successful series, and includes 47 of France's most exquisite châteaux, B&Bs and hotels chosen as places to 'go slow'. Sawday's say: "Fresh writing, beautiful, professional photography and detailed maps to help plan your Slow journey through France.

Great to spend some quality time recently with an old and lovely friend, a decaying beauty - Venice. Wandering, watching and appreciating her over several days was brilliant. The difficulty (or is it?!) is to bring one's own perspective - eye - to bear on one of the most photographed beauties on the planet...  The gondola; those mooring posts; that intricate, secret labyrinth of tiny waterways. But maybe it isn't difficult at all...don't we actually see and photograph in our own way? Where's the choice, in reality? How can we do otherwise?

One thing I love about my job is that it takes me to some great places, both new and interesting locations close to home and some fabulous spots further afield. I live happily in the centre of a buzzing, vibrant city, so I appreciate the contrast of the countryside - and always enjoy going to the seaside!

What a great trip to Nonsuch House I had last week...I'm just sitting editing the images now, and smiling! While I was there for a commercial client, it wasn't my first visit. I'd been a few times under my own steam, as it's a compellingly welcoming and comfortably place in an outstanding location. It felt very much like renewing acquaintance with friends. They've just been listed as one of UK's Top 50 B&Bs by The Independent. I agree, wholeheartedly, Kit and Penny!

Well, this is a wonderful trip: the Isle of Harris has been on the 'bucket list' for some time now, and it's great to finally get here. Staying at Scarista House was a brilliant idea - if I say so myself!! It's incredibly comfortable and friendly, with fab staff and stupendous food. A former manse, situated by Scarista beach with, effectively, just wild roses and the dunes between it and the sea.