No, sorry love, what a shame, we’re off to South Africa that weekend. The winelands, then along the coast, with a big five safari? No, last time was the Victoria Falls and ballooning in the Okavango – this trip we get to see migrating whales, so that’s another tick on your mother’s bucket list, my turn next. Kayaking in the Galapagos.
End of July? Let me check the diary, no, thought not, course we’d love to have the kids, what a shame, but we’re only back to see the financial adviser, thought we’d look into drawdown. Oh dear, we’re booked for Glyndebourne every night, then we’re off pretty much all summer – gourmet motorbiking in Australia, then a month in New Zealand. Just roughing it in a camper van. Fun group, met them on the Cévennes donkey trip.
I’d say meet us out there if the kids didn’t have school. When’s half-term? Course we’d love to have them, damn, what a shame, we’ll be in Bali. Then I’m back for the wine course – and your mother’s signed up for artisan coffin-weaving in the Atlas mountains, might be a few savings for you if we don’t make it up Kilimanjaro next year, just kidding, the doctor says I’ve got the lungs of a 25-year-old. That’s where the personal trainer pays off, you should try it. When you’ve paid off the mortgage, mind, best decision we ever made.
November? No, sorry, with the wine coursework and your mum’s book group I can’t see it happening, then we’re thinking a road trip to Nice, get some sun while the pool’s being installed, try a few Michelin places along the way, did I tell you about the Aston Martin? Well, with the new lump sum (thank you, George), we just thought, why not, can’t take it with you, and you know our feelings on inherited wealth. So we’ve put some in the Zambezi fund – that’s my name for the pensioner bond, and your mum wants another gap year. Sorry about Christmas. Maybe see you end 2016? I’d say borrow the Aston Martin except the kids wouldn’t fit in. Pity.
