Keep me far from the meandering crowd

Years ago, I thought of myself as infinitely patient, never feeling pressed for time. But over the years I've become aware that somewhere in the back of my mind is a ticking clock that compels me not to dally.

Maybe it's because of my newsroom job, where deadlines are a constant presence - I always seem to be rushing.

So the arrival of Golden Week, with seven free days to do whatever I liked at a leisurely pace, was a tonic for the soul. And my wife was also free. We could spend the time together.