Greetings, all readers!

My name is Sir George Henry Scott Douglas and just at the moment I’m anchored off the island of Corfu in my boat, the Vampire.  It’s  March 1846 and I’m here in Corfu as a captain in the 34^th Regiment of Foot (The Border Regiment).  Although we’re on duty here, we have plenty of time for pursuing other interests too, as you’ll see!

A little about myself: I’m the son of Sir John James Scott Douglas and Hannah Charlotte Scott of Belford.  My father is dead, so I am now the 4^th Baronet.  My estate is Springwood Park, near Kelso in Scotland, which was bought by one of my ancestors in 1750.

I’m twenty years old, and for the last year I’ve been serving in the army, first in Ireland, and now in Corfu.  I began keeping my diary on 1 January 1845, when I went to Ireland, and have been keeping it ever since.   

The most important event so far here in Corfu has been my purchase of the cutter Vampire.  I first saw the vessel on 1^st February this year in Malta, and knew she’d be just the ship for me.  On the 17^th of this month I went back to Malta to buy her and brought her back here, and now I’ve obtained leave to go on a voyage with two of my friends, Gwilt and Lang, fellow officers of the 34^th.  I’ve fixed up a crew of six, and in a few days’ time we’re off on an adventure to Greece and Turkey.  We’re well prepared for all eventualities – we’re stocked well with provisions and have a good set of weaponry to fend off the pirates that plague these coasts.  On 1st April we plan to cast anchor off San Nicola point in Corfu – first port of call in the Voyage of the Vampire.