Kerstin at angelblue.com

The Iraq war is leaving its mark on the travel industry, and SARS even more so. The mood is subdued and sometimes I wonder whether I have done my time in the industry and should be looking at something new elsewhere that also isn't so gravely affected by world events. But perhaps closer to the truth of the matter is that I feel like I am turning into a corporate slave and I am resenting it, it's just not "me". So what else would I do? Good question! I shall have a little think about that one ...

I realise that I have not had a "real" holiday since last year's to Cornwall with Robert. My leave time since then has been taken up with two moves and DIY. Time to leave the country so Rachel and I decide to plan a trip to Canada in July. The mere prospect cheers me up.

In the meantime we have another girlie weekend away, this time to Devon. I found a lovely cottage on a cliff top overlooking the sea at the most southern tip of Devon, south of Kingsbridge. The weather was good and we went on a couple of coastal walks, visited Liz's rather eccentric and interesting aunt Di and had our tarot cards read by mystic Fi and Liz one evening in "The Snug" corner of the local pub - this was a little room tugged away from the action of the quiz night, the atmosphere was great and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The cards were eerily accurate for each of us.

Later in the month I am invited to Cephas's 40th birthday (it is that sort of year!). I want to go because he is a good friend but I don't because Colin is also invited (Cephas is his friend and we stayed in touch after Colin and I split up). I don't fancy meeting Colin for the first time in over 5 years surrounded by everyone's wives and kids, including his. Can you understand that? I am a bit surprised at how emotional I feel about it all but I suppose it's normal too. Let's see what happens at Cephas' 50th ...