Hello lovely girls. Thank you for all your wonderful wishes re: Friday. I have to say it went really well. Everyone seemed to have a good time (that sounds weird but you know what I mean), I was pleased woth my eulogy (although I was a bit wobbly getting it out at times) and I found seeing the coffin really upsetting, but I always do. Now I have got the will and all the administration to sort out (and when your house burns down there's a heck of a lot). I am just still so upset he's gone, to be honest, but giving him a good send off was definitely cathartic.
And now of course I am in lovely Madrid! It was a brilliant plan to come here yesterday...if I'd gone home I'd have been moping. I just love this city. The Spanish are so interesting and uncompromising, I love the atmosphere here, the food...Yesterday I knackered myself walking round the Prado and just round generally. Today I'm doing the Reina Sofia (it's the modern art one), a food market which I like because it's in a posh area of town and I like to gawk at the glossy, incredibly-clothed rich people 
, and a quick walk round the Retiro (equivalent of Hyde Pk). Back home tonight, then Uncle Roger's funeral on Mon.
Jam, am very sorry to hear about your Granny. What a shame. When is the funeral? Did you sort out about flight i.d. for DS3?
Rubes, I'd have blown a gasket if my GP had said I was a bit OCD. Mind you, pigs would fly before anyone said I was, I wish I flipping was a bit! [Grin] But Arti is right, it is a condition that shouldn't be joked about or used as a term of abuse. I'm liking your tack with the receptionist though. What on earth did you say that she actually gave you some genuine info? Ours wouldn't! Remind me of your free days yet again and let's pop to Reading. Please. And what car bits are in Oxfordshire? Can we help??
Talking about meeting, is the London/southerly ladies' evening meet-up still happening Fri 28 Feb? Shall we make it a MUST?
Indith, I do worry about you, you know. You are under so much pressure with the course, the kids (which, however we cut it and however the dads pitch in, basically end up being our sole responsibility), the lack of sleep. I know it's gruelling, but you are doing so well to keep going. I shall say that louder. WELL DONE! Please tell me the course is only a year...
Arti, you were worrying about Lanzarote a bit. I have been to three Canary Islands now (not that one though) and really wanted to say that you can have the holiday you want to have. Just like practically anywhere that British people visit in mainland Spain, Portugal, Greece etc there are 'British pubs' and 'Billy's Breakfasts' where you can have a full English with a load of pissed-up nitwits, or you can completely avoid them. Fuerteventura (v close to Lanzarote) was surprisingly unspoilt and if you want some proper Canarian culture, you CAN find it. So don't worry and enjoy the sunshine. And tell me about your other travel plans. I never tire of hearing about other people's hols.
Invis, it was lovely to see you dropping in. I know you are a fan of HM (I haven't read anything which I have really adored for ages) and I will probably take one of the fat ones on a holiday when I have time to give it full attention. Hope you are managing your own somewhat crazy working life and doing ok...
On the sterilising, we used it for about a year but maybe the guidelines have changed as you say, from 6mths to 3. To be honest we got into a routine and it wa s just easier. Also, like Arti's, our dishwasher is less than optimal...But I can well believe the research that Jammy cited about soap and water being as effective!
So much more to say to so many but I don't want to miss breakfast! So will carry one when I sit down for lunch.