Well there it is then. Late yesterday evening, after the eulogies, the presents, the flowers and the party, I finally managed to prise Noreen away from the bomb site known as her museum office, for the very last time.

The car on the way home looked more like a flower shop than a taxi.

So we are both now persons of much time and leisure but no money. Good sleep, no alarm clocks and a lovely sunny day bode well for the future. Culture shock all round!

We celebrate next week by having the guys in to gut and rebuild the bathroom. Should be a fun mess!