26th November 2007
The Palmer family had a fairly uneventful week, all things considered, the usual relentless grind for all of us. Sue clocked up yet another full week, Sarah was run ragged at school, Jamie was juggling college and the carpentry workshop, and I made it my mission to fell half a forest in the name of winter fuel.

On Friday, four friends and I headed off to Highley in Shropshire for our annual “walk and escape from responsibilities” weekend. In years gone by, we’ve embarked on some pretty challenging hikes into the wilder corners of England, but we’ve come to terms with our advancing years and wisely opted for something a touch more civilised this time.

I’d booked a charming little cottage that had chosen to go under water in last year’s floods, complete with the River Severn flowing gracefully through the front garden and the Severn Valley Railway clattering away at the back. Picturesque and noisy in equal measure. Fortunately, next door sat the Ship Inn, which, needless to say, required a thorough investigation.

Saturday saw us tackle an 11-mile ramble downstream along the riverbank, through woods and past startled dog walkers, all the way to Bewdley. We heroically got a taxi back (our knees insisted) and promptly collapsed for a nap. Saturday night featured a very decent blues band at the pub, accompanied by the sort of ale that makes you forget how much your feet hurt.

Sunday’s stroll was a more manageable six-mile jaunt upriver and back before we packed up and pointed the car homewards. A cracking break all round, I even managed to temporarily erase from my mind the looming “Disability Scheme” policy I need to write for school. It only runs to a million pages and is, of course, utterly vital to the continued existence of the school as we know it.

Back on the home front, Charlotte and young Lucas joined us Friday night for a weekend stay. Suraj is still wrestling with the floors, poor man. They stayed through to Monday morning. Sunday evening took a surreal turn as Sarah and Charlotte became completely absorbed in experimenting with nail extensions. They seemed thrilled. I remained unconvinced. If evolution wanted us to have talons, I’m fairly sure it would’ve provided them naturally.