Travelling solo...plus kids!

On New Year's Day, I flew with my three kids under 8 into the polar night to discover Tromsø in Northern Norway. Yes, it was a feat of organisational skill, patience, and determination that got us on that holiday but I'm so glad I did it. 

There were obviously moments that weren't on my list of holiday highlights. The little one kicking the aeroplane seat in front for hours as the poor girl tried to study for an exam. The little one jumping the queue at Norwegian passport control, bypassing the desk and disappearing through the doors! The little one clambering onto the baggage check in and heading up the baggage transport system (weight: 15kg, label: missing). The older two weren't saints either, but at least they can be reasoned with/bribed....

Kids' TV and the token female

In 2014, during what could be called a "gender balance uproar", the BBC had to confess that maybe all male panel shows were not all that great in the 21st century. Y'know from a diversity perspective. So we saw Sue Perkins, Jo Brand or Sarah Millican appear suddenly on every single show from QI to Have I got News for You?, their wit and truisms reduced to a tick next to "woman" on some BBC official's clipboard. Or maybe "comedienne".