I’m at my desk for the last time this week – later today I start my long journey home….for the weekend at least.

Being away from home is the thing I hate above all else. I hate not being able to eat decent food, not having my early morning love-fest from Rosie whose joy when I open our bedroom door in the morning knows no bounds. Arch? Well, he just lies there with his tummy in the air begging for a tummy rub, which is also one of my great pleasures (giving Arch a tummy rub that is!!!!!!)

Today’s reason to be proud is of David, who is an artist of the best sort. He’s so good at stuff, I always feel humble when I see the latest thing. I miss him when I’m away more than is good for me really and most of all it’s that close physical contact of a hug or a spoon that I crave while alone in my hotel.

So, I hit on an idea and this posting is going to be the first time he hears this, I’ve been too embarrassed to tell him before. Each week, I take one of the tee-shirts he has designed with me when I leave and I wear it so that I can still feel him wrapped around me even though he’s not there in person. This one is a highly stylised pic of an old Olympus. It’s so comforting that it feels as though it can’t be true.

I’m proud to be able to say ‘I’m with him’.

Last year I was cracking purile gags with my pic - and no-one noticed!!! The year before, my hippy attitude was showing!!!