Which is why I’m writing this now. If we are going to take the plunge and book such a treat of a holiday – what type do we go for??

Option 1 – an all-inclusive hotel. I mean gated resort, kid’s club, 3 pools, spa, half board, no car – the full shebang. Who goes on these holidays and would they recommend? We’re thinking of this as firstly, we are going without friends and having other people around and about may not be a bad thing (especially for the children) and secondly, the thought of meals all prepared for us with no washing up, poolside attendance with comfy sun-loungers and the odd session or ten at the kid’s club is very appealing. I might even get to finish a book. The problem is I have visions of arriving at the ‘luxury hotel’ and the room being entirely different to the one on the website, dining halls smelling of chips with enormous queues, crescendos of screaming babies and children dive-bombing the pool…

Option 2 – villa. Sounds lovely. Private pool, peaceful location, culturally submerged in community, relaxed home from home surroundings. But is that the very problem? As I’ve mentioned above, no friends are included on this holiday so does this make for an incredibly quiet time away with lots of early nights (not necessarily a bad thing I know)? Also, as it’s like home, might there be the feeling that with no-one else to share the holiday , this also means there is no one to share the shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing up…..

Hmm, I’m still un-decided. I guess it comes down to what do you hate more? The general public smelling of chip fat or a few domestic chores? Better the devil you know or not..

Any advice very gratefully received!

Why don’t I do this more often? The evening had so much going for it; lying on a rug, glass of bubbly, spread of delicious picnic to nibble on throughout, and other point not to be overlooked, an early start time which meant leaving house at usual time of chaos – it all felt like a real indulgence. However, that’s not what we got. It was an evening of waterproofs, umbrellas and alcohol for warming purposes, not entirely for pleasure.

Still, lovely to see a bit of theatre in a wonderful setting – sorry to be a bit cliched, but whatever the weather it’s a fun, positive experience – and it was an excellent production – http://www.quantumtheatre.co.uk/msnd09.html Book a ticket!

So, why don’t we do do this more often? I will attempt to go to another outdoor performance this summer – you never know, next time we may win a dry evening ticket in the British weather lottery.

Obviously it’s wonderful for news for us as a business, with the launch of our own Diamond Jubilee Cake Kit. But also on a personal level, I have to say there’s not a small sense of relief that I can support one of my village’s events with very little effort required from me (such public holidays can sometimes feel like a timetable of social chaos). So at our very own event, titled www.thegreatboxbakeoff.com, other than the now easy task of baking and assembling my cake, there really will be no planning or organising to do. Contrary to it feeling like a Busman’s Holiday, I really can’t wait to see everyone’s ideas and creations. Seeing all ages and abilities participate and give it a go, really feels like a Best of British moment.

The Queen’s horses and numerous carriages were impressive to view and there was an activity room to occupy and engage young children, complete with colouring and games, but the real pièce de résistance was the breathtaking Gold State Carriage. Used only for very grand state occasions due to it’s age and importance, it really is something to behold and certainly from the girl’s point of view, it is everything a Queen’s carriage should be. Brilliant.

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/royalmews