Oct 08 Decide to take a week off to decorate the sitting room, and a week before get a call from a decorator asking if we still wanted work done! Bit of swift negotiation saw him and I working together, which was just as well as it took all week with the two of us! The walls weren't quite as good as we hoped. Still, it is now all done, and, as he had some free time the following week, had all the upstairs doors painted as well.

Sep 08 The search for a decorator continues - how difficult can this be? We get dates, and they don't turn up, they quote when they don't seem to want the work, it is bizarre way of doing business! Gave up and painted the dining room ceiling myself so we could get that room back to 'normal'. Now started on replacing the door handles upstairs, I can see us doing all this ourselves, I suppose as upside it saves some money.

Aug 08. Family holiday in Croatia, where we took a yacht on flotilla for 2 weeks around the Dalmation coast. Got to see Dubrovnik from the outside, the wall, and the inside. Other towns we saw included Hvar and Kocek. The last being my personal favourite having not had the necessity of being rebuilt after the troubles the region experienced. We hired a 34' boat, complete with gennaker, which the other crews nicknamed the posing pouch. Both kids learnt more than they care to admit, and Ana, with the help of Scopaderm, overcame her sea sickness. It took a little time to settle in to a rythm of worked for us in terms of balance between the sailing, getting there, swimming, and lunches. But once we worked it out it settled down quite nicely, to the extent both kids condescended to agreeing they'd like to do it again!

One thing that did surprise us was the cost, somehow we had it in mind eating out would be betwween cheap and reasonable, the first couple of evenings saw some truly frightening bills, which had us fearful for the overall cost of the holiday, however we quickly learnt to work out where we wanted to eat, moor, etc., and got it back to reasonable, but anything around the coast, and especially on the islands, was certainly not cheap. And we discovered, albeit on the way home, the Croats don't do smiling or service just yet - we were wondering about their idea of service. They are keen to get tourists, but with the possible exception of Hvar and Dubrovnik, haven't quite worked out they need to smile and engage, which we were told is not something they are culturally used to yet.

Apr 08 Started our search for a decorator to do the sitting room, and I started on the walls and skirting board to loose the proliferation of wires associated with the home network and the surround sound system. Also moved and fitted new wall lamps after a long search for something more akin to our tastes.

Mar 08 Came & went. Business trips for me, and we took out the remaining fir tree. Chainsaw and shredder proving their worth as Dad's latest 'toys'.

Feb 08 Just got back from Kapaonik in Serbia. Skiing was enjoyed by all; both Blake & Lydia not understanding what fear means, and hurtling down slopes at an unprecedented rate. Weather can best be described as different. My own experience of alpine skiing being limited to France and Switzerland, I cannot say I expected the overnight temperatures of -20ºC experienced, with a 'high' on the first two days of -5 ºC! The wearing of face masks for those who were venturing above the lower slopes was definitely de rigour. Later on in the week the temperatures did rise to +5 ºC or so during the day, so it was more what I was expecting.

There were a sufficient number of slopes for the kids and I, although I think Ana ran out of different slopes by day 3 - we were regaled with tales of being taken off piste and practising on blacks after our morning lessons. I was surprised with my limited experience I had to relearn how to turn using carvers, the newer technology from 8 years ago! As a family we have certainly enjoyed the resort, and I think are likely to be back there next year, as there is still sufficient to keep us occupied there.

The Serbs are an interesting bunch, seem to be either 7' tall or short and round! Still very eastern block attitudes, although all friendly. Was very odd for me to be in a place where very few people understood English, and had to use sign language and intuition to get food and drink - although 'beer' remains universal - so I was OK!

Jan 08 Went to Istanbul for the Sales Conference, got to go around the Grand Bazaar and purchase a shirt. 4,000+ shops in one place - not sure if I should regard it as good or bad!.

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