You could be forgiven for thinking I’ve gone soft and I have, in a way. It’s the end of a lovely day with lots of lovely people and stuff. Also lots more lovely food…oh and lovely wine…oh and did I mention the lovely people? Or the lovely wine? Or the lovely food?

It’s late in the evening and I managed to pick up my camera and wildly point it in the direction of something and press the shutter. I’ve looked at the photo nearly 24 hours later and after correcting the wonk, doing the best I could with the white balance and cropping it to within an inch of its life, this is what I have left and as it’s all I’ve got, it’s here for all to see.

NOTE TO SELF: Shoot the photo before consuming copious quantities of food and wine.

Other NOTE TO SELF: Revoke the removal of the ban on Christmas - cancel it, yes, all of it, again starting next year if you don’t want to end up the size of a modestly priced 3-bed semi in Milton Keynes.

In fact, what the heck – how about I just get my jaws clamped together and my stomach banded? It’s not that it’s not all been fabulous (note the double negative there, neat huh?) nor that anyone’s twisted my arm, but resisting the fantastic food that’s been put in front of me this week has not been possible. I have put on half-a-stone over the festive season and, trust me, I do NOT need another half-a-stone in my world. I do try so hard to be angelic and as always, I end up falling from grace…