One of the unusual joys of our week in the west country was being able to visit a ‘pannier market’.  Held in a huge market hall built centuries ago and called Corn Exchange, the function is similar.  Clothes, beautiful country and outdoor jackets and gillets with sheepskin lining.  Heavy duty wellington boots and all manner […]

There is something quite glorious about the British Summer – the fact that in different parts of the UK you can experience several different summers anyway  –  Wales is often very wet and has a greyness.  Scotland can be extremely hot if on the right side of the mountains and thus benefitting from the sweeping […]

When you’re very busy, for example now when it’s height of summer and we’re all trying to get work done and out of the way so we can watch tennis, or cricket.  It’s not easy to try and get everything done absolutely brilliantly.  My young neighbour has the right idea.  She works more than part […]

There is something in the air suggesting a bank holiday is creeping upon us again.  The shops madly advertising bar-b-que goods and large drinks packs on offer and the larger general stores displaying new garden benches, plants and everything to do with leisure activities.   All of them urging us to get out there and do […]

What my world needs all the time is organisation – be it in the home, in the office, or just getting the stuff to bein either or both of those.  Life today is so jolly busy and the family seems to be constantly dashing between one opost or another.  There are social clubs to attend, […]

Now the holiday season is beginning to get a grip on us.  The commercial and update tv channels are just full of blissfully happy children and their slightly dazed looking parents all having a truly spiffing time – one ad shows a little sweetipops with a glistening pool entirely to herself.  That would be impossible […]

These days there are so many families where all the members are out all day – perhaps both parents work up in the City, or if a single parent, they will generally be working nearer the children for simple logistics.  Whatever the situation in the family, there is still the need for total organisation when […]

You never know where the time goes do you.  No sooner have we got over the summer holidays with the twin evils of flying off with family in tow, a week or two in the sun.  And the flying back with the family in tow and the suitcase with the wonky wheel, the sunburn etc. […]

Gone are the days when every family bought presents and gifts for the offspring of all the other families they had connections with.  In days gone by we used to call the mums and grandmothers of neighbours “Aunty” as a mark of respect.   All real aunts and uncles were expected to cough up and provide […]

There are just so many things that need doing in any one month.  From the end of Christmas and the New Year festivities, there are school holidays to think about –  is there enough parental cover in place for the non school days, are there any school trips to be catered for.   Is anyone due […]