Northwards, as we approached France via Hull and a night-long ferry to Rotterdam. Biting winds forced us indoors to the crowded, fume-filled cabin. But not to sleep. The nearby deck door, constantly slammed by merry trippers, precluded sleep. One daughter got dressed at 3 a.m having heard some joker yell 'breakfast' as he retired for the night.

Onwards, as the weather did a seasonal reversal, we wore everything we had and still shivered our way through Belgium to the World War I graves at Beaumont Hamel. Topical, but not a great hit with the girls. Disneyland, that plastic paradise induced a three-day migraine. It snowed during the Grand Parade.

.....However, the return ferry was roasting and crowded with other families, who slowly lost their tempers - wonderful!