The idea is that in 24 hours time the car will be packed and we will be ready to leave first thing Friday morning to get the ferry leaving Holyhead at 8.00am to get us into Dublin Port.

Here on the ground there is precious little to show what is being done in readiness for all this. 

But I have been doing my bit. I stopped off in the supermarket on the late journey back from work to stock up on cat food for the two weeks we will be away. As I was walking round I remembered the need for a bottle of Pernod.

I got the last bottle and it is now safely stashed in the back of the car. 

I will be using it for fish soup and flaming lobster in butter. Licking lips as I write!