After all the frustrations of earlier searches I decided to google my nearest airport and found a site that features holidays from there. I found a few possibilities in Turkey (everywhere else still starting above £700), dithered, read reviews and decided one was really good - and it had gone! Found an OK couple, chose one, got the plastic, decided to book and it wouldn't accept payment! Other one that looked OK had to be booked by phone which put me off. Got frustrated and went for a stomp around.

yesterday I returned afresh, discovered a few Turkey deals and decided to go for one, and order went through and suddenly realised - F**king hell - I'm going on holiday! It's actually SATURDAY I'm going, so I suddenly realised I've loads of loose ends to tie up before I go. I assumed I'd find something with flight midweek or week after, so still shellshocked.

Holiday is a (theoretical) four star all inclusive deal and comes in under £550 with insurance and transfers - when did lift to hotel become an extra?! Hotel has some dubious reviews, but I'll see what happens - it's on the Aegean coast and on the Bodrum peninsular in place called Gumusluk which is supposed to be quite quiet.

My lover is back from family visits and will be visiting tomorrow for only meeting before I'm off to foreign climes for a fortnight - still can't take it in...