Five days of bliss

We're just back from Devon. A five day break over the Bank Holiday. We went with my best friend, who I've known since university, her husband and their son (4) and daughter (1) . Oddly despite having known her for 15 years and her husband for 9, we've never been on holiday with each other and there was a little trepedation. The last thing you want is for a friendship to go sour when you suddenly realise you're completely out of sync in terms of how you conduct your lives together.

The dynamic was incredibly organic, everyone just did what needed to be done when it needed to be done, no question, no one upmanship and as a result the whole place was spotless most of the time, despite the toys and meals tied to flat.

Each day was planned in 2 minutes, on the basis of someone making a suggestion, everyone agreeing and then going and doing it, no questions, no passing go, just up and out. We took turns to look after the kids when need be and despite absolutely horrendous weather we were out every day in wellies and water proofs and wind cheetahs. I don't think I've ever experienced less stress and certainly when there were so many things that could have been spark points. The weather alone could have meant we easily got cabin fever with a family who were more inert in their decision making.

And the kids were fantastic. I don't know why - maybe because we were all so chilled - but they got ready promptly, no arguments, no mucking. They were all in bed by 8pm, our two eldest shared a bedroom for the first time and they just got into bed chatted for 15 minutes and slipped off. Their daughter slept happily on the floor, because they'd forgoten the travel cot and Louis slept from 8pm to 6.30am for the first time since he was born, 3 nights out of the 4 we were there.

The nicest thing was to see our 2 boys get on so well. Considering the 2 year age gap there was scope for our friend's eldest to get very tired of Eben, but he didn't, they made each other laugh so much. Granted by the end they were starting to rub against each other a little, but frankly for littley's to spend so much time in each other's company and not fall out in a big way with each other was great.

I've rarely been sadder to leave, but we all felt like we'd been there weeks rather than days. As we left, my friend, said, 'we think you worry far too much about Eben he's absolutely delightful'. I said 'well the same goes for your two', which made her laugh. She was right though after three or four months of wondering if it was all going horribly pear shaped, Eben was absolutely delightful. We drove for the first couple of hours with him in the back and he had the broadest grin on his face, was joking about, until he eventually conked out.

I love that boy so much, his little brother's cracking as well.