I HATED big gatherings

with people who I didn't C from 1 year to the next. Of course the adults knew each other but to me they were strangers .......... plus all the noise, rich food, keeping different hours - no wonder I was ill every year

From 1975 DH and I travelled, 5-8 hours depending on the weather - which was OK when we were younger but it became expected of us!
Add to that the expectations of it all going well: visitors are like meat - OK the 1st day, a bit whiffy by the 3rd and by the 4th, well gone off
