You can only take so much sun.

So, with the excuse of heading home to welcome our first grandchild, while brother Eric babysits the boat in Antigua we have squeezed in a weeks skiing in Switzerland.

72 hours ago and again today we are in a mini van being transported to our destination. 72 hours ago in a Chinese built minivan with seating for 18, with the interior in tatters and in 30c of blazing sunshine. Driven along the rough island roads of Antigua past the chattel houses and tumbledown shacks with scrap cars and mangy, rough living dogs.

Compare that to now. Just seven of us filling the same size van; but this ones a Merc. Driving past immaculately tended farms and vineyards in a light drizzle that fortunately means fresh powder on the slopes above Wengen.

The transition from our yottie life of running around like kids in bare feet and dookers (swimming attire for the non Scots readers) to proper grown ups, fully dressed, wearing comfortable shoes and a watch.

From puttering around Falmouth Harbour in the dark, in a panic, certain we'd anchored Time Bandit "just about here" before going ashore to wandering round the house wondering where you'd left your specs.

Jerk chicken off a street BBQ to raclette and strudel. From Happy Hour to The Six O'clock News.

We've transitioned from stunningly azure blue seas where guys free dive 10 metres on in seas measured at 79.9c to catch lobsters to black, icy lochs and lakes. From the lush tropical abundant forrest to bare trees and snow on the hills, both at home and here in Toblerone land.

Ten days ago we anchored off Montserrat, under its active volcano still billowing out clouds of steam and its (ex) capital buried under lava and ash. Today we're driving past chocolate box Swiss chalets under towering , snow covered alps with the north face of the Eiger on the horizon.

Fortunately for us, as the grass is said to be "greener on the other side" we're dead lucky to be able to flip from one green side to the other and enjoy what each has to offer.

So, while Eric looks after Time Bandit in the sun we will be on this side of the fence enjoying Switzerland, Scotland and family life......and a bit of work, decorating and DIY.

More when we return early May for the start of our trip north to catch 4th July in New England. Its only 1500 miles!