Well who new that if you book a ‘Log Cabin’ (shed) in Cornwall, it comes with its own free range woodlice. However the scenery was lovely and it was cosy.

We had fish and chips in a storm on the beach, visited Newquay for some surfing, climbed the Bedruthan steps (wow that was quite the thing) and sat in the hot tub under the stars.

Well it is time for another rugby tour! We have not had enough coaches, singing, mud and forfeits for a while so off to Bude we go!

Again we were staying in the lovely Devonshire countryside, the games were great, the company was fab and the scenery was beautiful, again not restful but a good weekend was had by all. Special thanks goes to our mates who let us have an actual bed and shower for our last evening.

In an attempt to revisit my childhood and torture my children with confined spaces with nothing to do, i booked us a week in a canal boat.

Needless to say they were thrilled with being stuck in a long tin can, nowhere near civilisation with no wifi, TV on even a shower big enough for a dwarf.

However after being allowed to drive, working many, many locks, swing bridges and poo hovers, they started to enjoy the whole experience. They were not even put off by Martha disturbing a wasps nest, getting very stung and her dropping her vape in the water.

We were even treated to apache helicopters low flying over the water.

As we had already climbed Ben Nevis we thought we would undertake the arduous task of the 3 peaks challenge. (yes I know you are supposed to do it in 24 hours, but 2 years apart is not too bad).

We stayed on a lovely camp site nestled in a valley, next to a beautiful lake, we had no wifi and a campfire every night. We took the train up to the peak and walked down, and even that was enough, we did some kayaking, tombstoning, visited ‘that’ place that wins at scrabble.

The falls at Betywsy-coed were beautiful but my favourite spot was a hidden brick works that we found. Toby swam in his pants and we tried not to fall to our deaths while exploring the ruins. Although we were thoroughly knackered by the end of the trip it was just stunning!

So to ensure we had the most restful bank holiday we could, we took the offer to accompany the rugby team on tour.

After a long journey to Devon we set up at what was actually a very lovely spot over looking the bay.

Then came the coach journeys, the muddy boys, the BBQ and beers with plenty of forfeits and full on rucking. But we did get underfloor heating in the shower block.

The boys had a fab time, with good games and plenty of singing and camaraderie.

On the return journey we took a wander to nearby Ilfracombe to partake in the beautiful scenery and the biggest scones I have ever eaten, all in all a great weekend, if not the most restful.

We decided that it was about time to widen our horizons and took a trip that meant we actually needed passports. So off to Rome was went. After getting stopped at the airport because Josh had taken apart his roller blades (after he was told not to take them) and hid them in his luggage. We got to the very lovely apartment right in the centre of the city. We had a very cultural McDonalds for tea, we had an early night before visiting EVERY tourist attraction in the city.

So, colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi fountain, Basilica, (pause for pasta and Gelato) Vatican, Forum, Sistine Chapel, Spanish Steps, Catacombs, etc etc.

Alongside the whistle stop tour of Rome’s most beautiful places, we managed to lose Josh in a small lake side village, nearly missing the train home, lose Josh to a group of roller bladder’s through the less savoury parts of the city and get ripped off by Jez buying random tortoises from a street vendor.

In four short days we nailed Rome and all it has to offer, we must use our dusty passport more often!!!