Time passed all too quickly.

Our five ladies arrived in two cars on Wednesday afternoon. They had left in the early hours and persuaded the 'tunnel keepers' to let them board an earlier train (9.20 instead of 10.30) so that they reached us about 3 0'clock, absolutely worn out. Elaine and her 82 year old mum had driven non-stop, apart from the trip through the tunnel, so they were pleased to have a little nap after some light refreshments.

Thursday was the day for Elaine to see her French specialist while Bear took the others on one of his sightseeing tours. Dr C has seen her for the past four years and has been far more helpful than the BUPA  doctor who gave her 5 years to live in 1997.

He had all the time in the world, did tests, took X rays and explained at length that, basically, she was stable, and provided she avoided infections she ought to stay that way. He offered advice for when she does have a 'crisis' and although he cannot promise a cure he is always encouraging. He told us he would never tell anyone they had just a few months or years to live as one can never be sure of these things. One of his patients developed lung cancer and he felt that perhaps he might only live about eighteen months but he remained optimistic - it's too easy to make mistakes in giving a prognosis like that.  He continued treating him and he's still alive after eight years.

Elaine was in a very happy mood when we left his surgery and we went home to celebrate with a bottle of champagne.

On Friday we went to the caves at Han-sur-Lesse. There are nearly 500 steps (not all at once) and two kilometres of pathways so Elaine's mum and the Bear decided not to try it. However, Bear missed the shortcut back to the village and they both walked miles along the railway track to meet us at the exit.

We enjoyed the services of a charming guide by the name of Stefan. As we were the only English visitors he asked us to stay at the front of his group of Dutch speakers and so we were able to ask him questions as we went along.

Some of the galleries were flooded thanks to the unseasonal rainfall so there was no 'son et lumiere' but there was still plenty to enjoy. I hadn't realised that without water the stalacmites and stalactites would die but he showed us a column that was now dead.

He explained that trout passed through the caves via the river but that it was too dark for them to take up residence. However, there were plenty of rats, spiders, bats and other 'wildlife' in the unvisited sections.

That evening we went to one of the 'posher' restaurants in town where the 'girls' treated Bear and me to a wonderful meal.

The Bear spent Saturday in bed, only getting up in time for the evening meal but the rest of us went shopping - or rather, I sat in a café with a cold drink while the others did the rounds of the clothes and perfume shops.

We managed to avoid any major arguments while our guests were here but they are all aware of the difiiculties and couldn't help picking up the bad vibes.

Let's hope it didn't spoil their holiday but, here, it's business as usual - back to everyday life with Bear and Whale.