The Verdict

Once again we’ve had a fantastic time and have a lot of memories. The biggest benefit of course, and the main reason for going away, was the weather which, apart from the odd occasion, was warm (hot?) and dry.

We’ve renewed a lot a friendships, as well as making many new ones, not least that with Colin and Tina Rice, our travelling companions for over half of the holiday, which we think made the break for us. Bertie performed impeccably, although he is beginning to need some attention. But after 6891 miles, and with the odometer now over 60,000, it’s not unexpected. But there’s nothing serious.

We haven’t kept a record this year of our expenses, but our feeling is that it actually cost us less than before, probably helped by the extraordinarily good euro exchange rate. We’ve not stinted on our spending, eating out more often being a little extravagance.

Towards the end, though, we were beginning to be ready to come home, and if we hadn’t had the various visits already planned perhaps we would have. The fact that Easter was late this year contributed of course, but we may look a little carefully next time – and there’ll certainly be a next time!