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1. A different route from home to home – the sun shines on the rolling hills and there are interesting sights – country houses, distance towers and mysterious doors – to stop us even thinking about getting bored.

1b. The bakery and the florists are unbelievably convenient – to each other and to the main road.

1c. The puns are in full flow by the time we reach the greater Preston area.

1d. We meander through Southport – a completely different route to normal, and not an area John’s ever seen, so I point out me-landmarks and tell him tales of my teenhood adventures.

2. The smell of Broadhursts.

3. We run together through the shallows.

3b. The beach is pleasingly busy – couples, families and dogs are silhouetted by the sunset. Most are enjoying themselves in a quiet, calm way but there are exceptions: the family, bent double with laughter, after someone falls in a game of football and the excitable golden sprocker trying to goad Lily into play.

4. The flat green expanse, springing underneath our feet.

5. The sigh of a woman who has been given too many presents.