[Jayne Osborn]

It started with The Oldie lunch, always an enjoyable experience, but I missed a step on the stairs at Simpson's in The Strand, went flying and badly sprained my ankle. (Lots of pain and spectacular bruising to follow.)

Next up, two days later I went to the Isle of Man for a couple of days, then spent three hellish days trying to get back home. My flight was cancelled again and again, due to the 'adverse weather conditions' (on one of the days they simply ran out of de-icer).

Yesterday I went shopping, returning home to a flood. We have a sort of 'granny annexe' which had two burst pipes. The ceiling came down, bringing all that horrible insulation stuff with it, the carpets were ruined (have you ever seen a cutlery drawer filled with water? I hadn't.) and I was sloshing about in ankle-deep water, sweeping it out of the back door with a broom. I've never experienced anything quite like it. It's going to be a big insurance claim.

We're getting on with the clean-up operation, but lots of people I've spoken to have also had a really bad week this week. Never mind, shit happens. Merry Christmas everyone.