We are taking a quick trip to England to visit my Mam and Dad. I am writing this sitting in the Etihad business class lounge in Abu Dhabi after using air miles to upgrade our tickets.

Sue has just gone for a complimentary spa treatment and she has booked me in for a back massage starting in ten minutes.

This is Sue on return from massage …

Had my turn. Fabulous. Just want to go to sleep now – it is 1.30am so I have an excuse. Flight is at 2.30. Abu Dhabi to Manchester then another flight to Edinburgh. This was cheaper than just flying to Manchester. Please explain this to me when you have figured it out. We then have first class rail tickets from Edinburgh to Durham. These were cheaper than second class.

What is going on? Not that we are complaining. We can cope with this sort of suffering.