Yesterday morning I finally got hold of our solicitor Mr Snotface, and he grudgingly told us that we should be ready to exchange contracts with our sellers on Monday. So that tipped the balance in favour of cancelling the trip.

Of course today Mr Snotface's phone just rings and rings - obviously answering phones are just not technology that he is willing to engage with, and don't get me started on his reaction when I suggested communicating via email - so I am dubious about whether the contract thing actually will happen on Monday. But, I have cancelled the camping anyway, and we will attempt to do holiday-ish things here instead.

Exchanging contracts, by the way, is the moment at which the whole house-buying deal firms up, and it becomes difficult for either party to back out, so it will be a real milestone. Hopefully, if all goes well, we should be in the new house by the end of next month at the latest!