Yes, it's January. Yes, I have been looking at holidays I can't afford. Yes, I have been trying to cheer myself up with the notions of travelling in countries where it doesn't rain that much. Yes, I have been dreaming of days that are warm enough to go skinny dipping....

I hate it when I don't get replies from people I write to. But, for once, I am glad I never got a reply from the BBC, now that the truth about our Jim has revealed its full horror. They must have been able to see through the transparent ploy...

Like many of my fellow Brits I've been looking out of the window recently, wondering if it will ever end. I've been trying to convince myself that, despite it being 'mid-summer', this awful weather will clear up eventually. But let's not forget that it is the same time of year...

Here we go again. It's the summer time, there's some royal action going down and suddenly we've got a whole bunch of bank holidays all at once. You know everyone is going to have the same idea and will make a dash for it. Quick! Pack up the camper van...

Be strategic
Why put all your eggs in one basket with a traditional two-weeker when you could make strategic forays throughout the summer? Being flexible about when and where you go will result in lots of mini-hols in lots of nice places - and the chance of good weather....