This week, 21 years ago, on a sweltering hot evening I got off a train in New Orleans. It was the end of the first leg of a train trip around the States after my J1 visa summer in New York. The youth hostel I was staying at was on Carondelet Street.

I’m not saying they need a team-building day at Trabolgan but something needs to change.

Colm O'Regan's first gig since lockdown included mics in sterilised bags, green rooms and - for the first time in a while -adrenaline 

It's not good enough to learn new skills these days, you need to let others know you have them via social media

The hotel buffet breakfast: It’s often on a list of Important Things That Were Lost During the Pandemic. I’m here to say: Don’t despair. I understand why people mourn it. The buffet was that magical of things. Free, and unlimited.

It’s 10. 30pm. My wife, the eldest, and I are huddled in blustery darkness in the front of the car, eating a McDonald's at Exit 8 while the youngest snores in the back. We are having a Whale of a Time.

After the longest summer holidays in recent history, kids are getting ready to don their uniforms again

My father went to London a few times in the 1980s to visit his sister. It was a very 1980s holiday. He went on behalf of the family. But London was far enough. He brought back exotic items.

IT'S still up in the air for the pubs, because of what would be up in the air if they opened. Maybe the the two-tier system will be unified on August 10 and the pub-pubs will be open, along with the foodier places.

Looks like with lockdown we’re back to square 3. Or is it 2 and a half?Once again, walking the pavements will require choreography. Like those elaborate royal courtly dances that you see in costume-drama movies.