I'm back too 
Not rubbing it in chesti but I had the lovely sunshine that I was after, though it was quite windy at times. Was definitely odd going away all by myself, you feel like such a saddo compared with all the couples and families when you're queuing at the airport, boarding the plane etc and the first foray into dining alone was a bit of a miserable experience, partly because the food in the buffet restaurant was bloody dire. I'd say the hotel was probably 5 star in itself, but some of the facilities definitely not - I've almost never had cheaper toiletries in the bedroom and as I say the food was really quite poor. I suppose it meant I didn't come back half a stone heavier!
The staff all seemed pretty grasping - I know they earn a pittance and tips are hugely important to them, but they didn't seem appreciative of whatever I gave them and I think I was quite generous. That sort of thing is a bit annoying.
Anyway, I fairly quickly got adopted by 3 other Brits - an elderly couple and a woman spending a week there alone before her friend came out. We all got on really well and it did mean fortunately just the one solo dining experience. They were sweet to me since apparently I have a beacon on my head screaming 'separated and sad' 
. I would describe the whole experience as necessary but painful. It was lovely just to be accountable for myself etc and be able to lie in the sun and do nothing, but so much stuff bubbled up to the surface with all the thinking time and I feel as though I'm firmly out of the 'shock' phase of the grieving process and well into the sadness/depression phase, I just feel bereft really. Anyway, don't want to bring everyone down so onto other things.
I hope you had a great weekend away LVB, what a brilliant prize! Well, it would be brilliant for someone else, I'm way too uncool to go clubbing although I could drink the champagne OK
Sorry about missing out on the job tarti, that's bad luck. Hopefully the good comments will at least bolster your confidence for the next one that you go for, you obviously interview well which is hugely important.
Glad you enjoyed your hols chesti but the childcare planning sounds like a headache. Men are so useless at perceiving all the moving parts that have to be lined up with something like that. It would be galling to miss out on the free childcare but an easier life perhaps, if it means continuing with the set-up you're familiar with? I don't suppose you could keep the childminder and get the free hours with her?
Sorry to hear about DD2's ankle too Kate. Has she got a really high pain threshold to have coped for as long as she did? It sounds very painful and delicate so I hope she can be persuaded to rest as needed.
Was lovely to see S&R again this morning after my short absence but S was definitely out of sorts and clinging to his dad most of the time. I trust I haven't screwed him up by taking 4 days off 
but it looks as if I'll have to be as reassuring as possible over the next few days and maybe he's noticing more of a change in our home life than R is and is more affected by it.