Alan and Dee opted out of the rat-race three years ago and bought themselves a lovely apartment block in Looe - the Lemain Garden Apartments.

Every time we go down, we spend a wonderful, drunken evening where they try to persuade us to do the same - we can't afford to at the moment but it is in our long-term plans!

They have made a huge success of their new life - their apartments are terrific, really well furnished and comfortable and they now have time to spend together with their lovely daughter, Lucy - someone who Dee rarely saw in her previous life as a high-flying executive in the retail world!

Oh and yes, that's me - sunburn and all, in the black dress....it's only the second pic of me in my diary other than a couple of my feet!

Thanks to David for helping me with the settings on my camera to get this shot with Looe illuminated in the background....my own attempts were much poorer!