It’s become obvious over the last few weeks that we’re worrying our friends, both cyber and closer to home. Please don’t worry about us. We ARE just fine.

It’s true that we certainly need this holiday and it’s true that we’ve had some tough times this year, what with losing Archie and the Vectramobile within days of each other and having to replace one and find someone else to ease the pain of losing the other (you work out which way round)…..not to mention worries about me losing my job (through no fault of my own), exams and illnesses within the family and among friends.

I’ve more or less stopped taking photos over the last few weeks to give myself a bit of a break – I have at least (and at last) learned that this is one thing that can give when the pressure is on.

Finding our way to Wales and into this cottage that might have been perfect (though sadly isn’t) has taken a bit of my obsessive organising and even with that we still ended up having to go out and buy essentials yesterday that we’d been told would be provided. For weeks now, I’ve had a folder ready to go with the receipts for the cottage and other place we’re staying, Ordnance Survey maps and RAC route planner directions for each place we’re staying in and for getting home. I think my obsessive planning is getting worse…..

So, here we are in the garden of the cottage we’ve hired. The sun is streaming down again and we’re all outside trying to find a little shade and relax.

DM is wearing his new hat, bought to “go with” the new car – a Rover 75 estate that’s got a reputation for being driven by (very) mature folks who think that string backed gloves, carpet slippers and a straw hat are the right look for meandering about in the dog. We love the car – boy is it luxurious and comfortable compared to the Vectramobile, it’s even got air con (whoops, make that climate control, sorry Jan) so once we’d figured out how to use it, it made our journey to Wales even more comfortable than we’d imagined.

I’m not sure what the “correct” fashion accessories are for me in the new car – I’m determined not to drift into crimplene yet…..no, make that ever.

This holiday is our break from reality and our break from the stresses and strains of our “normal” life. We’re on day two and it’s working for me so far……

So, sorry for alarming people - we are fine, it's the rest of the world that's messing us up!