Holiday Hell For Marty

30 November 1999

The weather doesn't seem to know if it is coming or going lately. One day it is so hot, you can't sleep and the next day you are contemplating putting the heating back on. But at least it seems like it is going to be settled for the next few days at the very least.

But all this changeable weather has had the effect of Claire wanting us to start getting ready for our holiday. You know the one in Disneyland, Paris. The one which is going to make me really grumpy. Yes, I know I love roller-coasters and adventure parks, but theme parks are something quite different.

All these Mickey Mouse people running around telling us in their French accents to be happy and to whistle while we work and all the rest of that rubbish. I know the kids will love it, but I don't see the sense in paying all that money for something which we can get on a day trip here in this country.

But anyway, last weekend was spent hitting the shops looking for suitable summer clothes and shoes which won't hurt our feet when we are on them for 12 hours straight. Then we had to get a new fold-able stroller for Ethan as his old one is too worn – apparently. Add to the list, sunscreen, sun hats, umbrellas (for the inevitable summer showers) and new swimsuits for hanging round the pool.

Yuk, the pool....there is nothing I hate more than these package holiday things with screaming kids all eating their endless ice-creams and splashing you every chance they get. You are lucky if you get a small patch of concrete to spread out your towel, let alone a sun-lounger, and the queue for the breakfast is so long you miss your bus for the theme park.

Can you tell I am really looking forward to this nightmare of a holiday? And it is still a month away. The only good thing I can say is that we are going during school term time so the annoying children won't be there in their multitudes. Hopefully. Another good side is that I have negotiated two days going round vineyards on the way back. So I should come back with enough booze to get us through the summer. Just good quality reds, of course!

Work is still going OK. Katy is coming to the end of her course for this year and will be working on a more full time basis over the summer. Except for when we are away; she will be having a week off then too. She did ask if I would let her get on by herself. Aside from the fact I don't think it would be allowed, I couldn't trust her just yet.

I think she was a bit miffed by that, but she's only just started and yes things are going well, but she's not ready to take on a whole site on her own just yet. We have moved on to doing the kitchen refit this week. Just the cupboard fronts and a new worktop, so not too taxing. But she has turned out to be pretty good with a paint brush, so we are looking to get going on that in the next few days.

We will have just enough time to do one more house before the holiday, which will be yet another rental. Not too bad this time apparently. Can't be much worse than this one!