After months of stress, both our boys completed their exams last week. Just one week after the half-term holiday, the end of exams means they've finished going to school for the rest of the school year or, in Harry's case, for ever.
It seems a shame that they're not taught some life skill such as how a car works or even some good, old-fashioned woodwork in what remains of the term. After all, as a parent, you pay the full term's fee for the summer term. It seems that schools want to get rid of A-level and GCSE students as fast as possible.
However, everyone is supposed to be back at school for the open/sports day. This is extremely dangerous for parents. Suddenly, you find yourselves egged on to compete in the father's race and, instead of gamboling along at the back at a pace to suit your fitness, you come over all competitive. And, yes, that was your Achilles tendon that went twang.
One friend survived the race unscathed, but, during the sprint, torrents of cash flew from his trouser pockets. When bending down to pick up a £1 coin, he did his back in.
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Can't you hear me S.O.S? Our treasured native dog breeds are at risk of extinctionDo you know your Kerry blue terrier from your Lancashire heeler? A simple lack of publicity is often to blame for some of the UK's native dog breeds flying dangerously low under-the-radar.
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'There are architects and architects, but only one ARCHITECT': Sir Edwin Lutyens and the wartime Chancellor who helped launch his stellar careerClive Aslet explores the relationship between Sir Edwin Lutyens and perhaps his most important private client, the politician and financier Reginald McKenna.
