by the time the house, school, cars and office are all sorted out and I've done some work on the unpacking it could be too damn cold and/or wet to walk (I'm more of a wimp than you, and haven't experienced much winter in the last 10yrs!) so if not now then next summer!!! But seriously, I will try to be walking the kids to school if that's at all possible. I don't know how far away the shops will be either, so I don't know whether that will be car or walking distance. I tend to walk out of practicality as much as anything, but I do hope we'll get in some 'proper' walking with my parents before the weather gets too bad. We're on the edge of North Wales and just above the South Shropshire hills so there's plenty of good walking nearby, and the kids love it. My cousin (whose kids are about the same age as my two) lives on the edge of the Peak District too, so there's more opportunity there, although I'd never keep up with her or the kids - they're serious walkers!

Anyone looking for something dressy for summer should aim for classic and simple that can be dressed up or down with cardigan, jacket, jewellery and footwear choices, especially anyone who lives where there isn't too much of a summer season! Sorry if that advice came too late for you Hope, but I'm sure you probably knew that anyway... just reminding everyone, and myself too. That's why I've picked up some nice plain t-shirts which will look quite smart with jeans and my nice slip-ons - enough for most occasions at least, at least as long as I iron them... they seem not to survive the wash that well. I'm looking forward to having a tumble drier to test them in eventually!

Good luck with the hair Hope. I'm not looking forward to having to look for a new hairdresser either. I've had the same one most of the time (or rather the same salon chain with similar standards throughout) so I can safely advise that if you find one that cuts well, stick with them like glue! Really good haircuts are few and far between. I have one now, but my fringe is getting a little overgrown.

Well done to Julie and Shaun!! That's gotta feel good going into summer - every little extra bit of space in those summer clothes is good, especially when there's BBQ on offer!

Kerri.