"No jeans"

First day of our holidays and what a tough day it turned out to be. Not sure why but things just seemed to go wrong from the minute we woke up. Audrey was tetchy again, the weather was awful, packing took forever and when we finally hit the road, the drive was awful. Birmingham, the M6, lorries, sheeting rain mixed with glaring sunshine. Need I say more?

Audrey wouldn't sleep (or eat) which meant we had a tetchy toddler (and two tetchy parents) on our hands when we arrived.

The hotel we're staying in is beautiful though (Audrey and Angus pictured walking up to it). It's an old stately home with roaring fires, Grandfather clocks, gilt mirrors etc. It's a child friendly place and its designed to give parents a break - a creche to drop kids off in, baby listening service etc.

We're currently sat in the restaurant eating a three course meal and drinking a bottle of wine. Audrey's tucked up asleep upstairs. The dresscode in the hotel restaurant is "no jeans" though which shocked us slightly. Especially as I'd brought a suitcase full of 'em! Managed to have a lovely evening in spite of the awful journey etc. and we've toasted that tomorrow is another day!