IT’S wet and it’s very cold – can this really be Glorious June and the summer that we have all been waiting and longing for over those long, cold winter months?

As I write this, I am thinking of all those ladies who will have spent the weekend at Royal Ascot. I know they will have been wondering ‘what shall I wear?’ Now, that is a problem we women constantly face, though for men, dress is simple: they have formal, informal or just plain scruffy outfits.

Outfits that they don’t have to think about, where they don’t have to ask the question ‘does my bum look big in this’ because, let’s face it, they don’t care a damn if it does.

But for we women, the answer is of vital importance! And your age does not allow you to escape from that perennial problem of what to pack when it’s holiday time.

I sometimes wonder if there ever comes a time when we women just don’t care? Well I, for one, sincerely hope not.

I’m planning a holiday and that old problem of packing is rearing its weary head – what I will need? What about the weather? I must be ready for all eventualities.

It’s so difficult, even more so when flying, because of weight limitations.

Packing for a cruise is the worst thing, not that I have been on many, but it’s sort of de rigeur that you wear something different every night when you go down for dinner.

It follows, then, to have a few smart outfits with, of course, the accessories; heaven forbid you should carry the same handbag every evening.

I have promised myself never to go on a cruise again because you may be seated for every meal with people you don’t like, and that’s hell!

I had happy holidays at Butlin’s when my children were little; I could relax, knowing that if they wandered off, they couldn’t get lost.

It wasn’t the most exciting, but at different stages in your life, you want different things.

Now I want to experience and see new places, meet new people, eat strange food. Yes, I know, I’m a little bit odd!