Chickens in a box

The last day of January and it's beautiful if freezing. Still, better that than the endless, grey - the mud this winter has been unbelievable, and unavoidable. A relief to step away from confusing spreadsheets (that I don't understand) and playground politics (the dinner party fiasco continues to fester ). On a more positive note our house will go on the market soon and we've made an offer on a new place. I have no doubt we won't get the house we've offered on, but at least now we've got a plan and soon we'll have money in our back pockets which should give us bargaining power that we haven't had previously.

r I finally fulfilled an ambition of mine and escaped for a weekend's skiing with Eddie. So decadent but great fun and most importantly an opportunity to be together without the children. Not the greatest weather, but the snow was fabulous and lots of opportunities to relax in between runs for wine, raclette and frites avec mayo. HOWEVER....remind me never to put myself as lead driver again, the trip up to Meribel was nothing short of hair raising. Had a crocodile of frustrated French cursing me as I crawled up the mountain, tendons on my neck popping, hands gripping the steering wheel for grim death and Eddie on the verge of a complete nervous breakdown.....

It only took one faux pas caused by too much wine at last night's dinner with friends, and before we knew it one of the guests had stormed out! Talk about tumble weed....as the door slammed behind them we sat round the table in horrified silence wondering what on earth to do next? There was only one option in the end - leave. Quickly. Such a shame to end a dinner party on a sour note, particularly when it was obvious how much effort the hosts had gone to. We're all adults (or supposed to be), surely it's better to grit your teeth and rise above one, drunken insult, than spoil a night that friends have taken time and effort to put together.