Sarah Todd: Time to broaden our horizons as this home bird prepares to fly

Our passports have finally arrived and the younger members of our household are so excited. The thing is, a fortnight at home with no contact with the outside world would be enough of a break for me. It would be bliss. A bit of gardening, going for a ride… A home bird, that's me. Days out to Bramham Horse Trials and the Great Yorkshire Show, that's holiday enough for me.

When we were young, before having children, we used to go on holiday. But we'd sit on aeroplanes as people juggled screaming small children and think, "we'll never do that".

It suited me. We had a trip, about every other year, to Cornwall. After the marathon journey there and back, plus the rain, we started to wonder whether that was worth it either. But this last year our offspring started coming home saying, "we're the only ones who haven't been abroad".

We used to say "We'll go when The Shed is finished" and now it is we can't put them off any longer.

The final straw was a display in the school hall, with pupils listing their favourite holiday destinations. Our little lad's read "… is looking forward to his passport arriving".

For me, it's the organisation of a holiday that's off-putting. There's work to finish, time off school to sort, animals... The list seems endless.

Is it a proper phobia, with a clinical name and everything for the whole holiday hang-up? The Husband is much more laid-back. About the only thing he'll worry about is his rugby team.

He's been captain of the local market town's third team for over 10 years, declaring each season his last. There's been quite a bit of changing room banter since the whole debacle surrounding sacked England football captain John Terry. Before the last match The Husband had

been ribbed that the only way he was going to be able to get rid of the captain's job (nobody wants it because of all the ringing around to get players, last-minute cry-offs etc) would be to get up to no good with one of his players' wives.

Then there'd been a good deal of mirth at the realisation that as most of them are teenagers and in their early 20s, their WAGs (wives and girlfriends) are in a significantly different age bracket and would be far from impressed. These youngsters will doubtless be out winning and dining this weekend.

What do farmers give their wives on Valentine's Day? Hogs and kisses …

And one for you-know-who. Why did the rugby player go to the vet? To get his calves seen to.