Just phoned Husband to remind him to keep evening of 28th September free and he asked me what for. ” The CountryWives debut at Henley Literary Festival darling” I replied, a teeny bit miffed he’d forgotten. “What did you say? Henley Literacy Festival?”.  (Note to self. Check out hearing aids online tonight).  Apparently most of the tickets have been sold which we are delighted about, considering we are the only people I’ve never heard of on the programme! Only two weeks to go so this could be the incentive I need to lose some weight  - think I’ll have a glass or three of Sauvignon and start being good tomorrow. Or Monday. Or wear something baggy on the 28th.

Just love the idea of Toms shoes that you blogged about Ellie (especially the fact they go up to size 9) – what a great and charitable idea. Not so sure about the cigar smoking Halloween skull you bought though!

Son came home with yet another bit of gadgetry yesterday. Electronic doodas and phone apps might float his boat but I usually find it difficult to summon up any enthusiasm for the gadgets he thrusts into my eyeline, usually accompanied by “Wow Mum, you’re going to LOVE this”. But he actually bought something that I think is fantastic – a Go Pro camera. Brand new they are expensive, but he cannily bought one secondhand from his cousin for £100 and it’s such an exciting bit of kit. Basically it’s a small waterproof camera that you can attach to a ski, motorbike helmet or, as in our case, a Jack Russell. Watch here  HD quality and free editing software…… we are going to have SUCH fun with this little camera!

Last and probably least, Marvellous Mother In Law asked if I could recommend whether she should buy a rigid or a canvas trolley suitcase – my innocent reply was met with gales of laughter: “Oh, I’m not sure” I said, “My Son has a hard one and my Husband’s is very soft.”