islandhippy

... if nothing else that we could enjoy

Our hopes for a 24-hour break from diapers and high-chairs — our first 24-hour break together in two years — were dashed when Olive came down with a temperature hours before our "holiday". Sandy's family were due to come down from Malaysia to look after Olive for one night so Sandy and I could chill out in a 5-star hotel in town. We didn't feel confident to leave the country but this would have been good enough. However, Olive obviously got wind of our plans and fell sick. It was decided she couldn't be left at home so she squeezed into our room at Swissotel the Stamford and ensured we didn't sleep at all. At least the rest of the family had a good night's sleep in our flat.

Poor old Sandy never even saw the swimming pool. We couldn't lounge in bed and order room service as planned. Breakfast didn't work as Olive woke at 5am then later went back to sleep in our bed! In the end I nipped downstairs and bagged some nasty fast food from a coffee chain for breakfast. There was an Italian deli round the corner but when I tried to order the staff apologised that they'd partied too hard the previous night and weren't yet ready to serve breakfast.

The only redeeming feature of the one-night escape was the view from the room. This is the Formula 1 view. I must check out the price during this year's F1 and see if a few of us can share the cost.

With baby #2 due in a few weeks, it looks like we're not going to have a night off for another two years unless Phil's parents or sister come to stay from the UK and look after the kids. Or we hire a maid.