This was our second year at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire for the Last Night at the Proms on Saturday night. Last year it rained and it rained and it rained and it rained but we still enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided to go again this year.

The biggest difference this year was the weather, which was dry and windy but not cold and so it brought out the crowds. We arrived as the gates open at 5.30pm and the event started at 7.30pm and finished at around 11pm with an amazing firework display.

After lots of singing and swaying of flags I then drove us all home as I had volunteered to not drink as I knew I would need some extra medication for the night. We arrived home just before midnight and although I felt exhausted I was still awake until the early hours as my body would just not close down.

I try very hard to not let my back problem disrupt my social life as apart from it not being much fun for me, its not fair on my friends and family if I keep saying no to all and sundry. Today I have been in a lot of pain and could hardly even put my feet on the floor without pain!

However, after writing an article on affirmations to help you feel better, I decided to give it a go. I only wrote simple things down like, " I got my husband to move my bird table to a new spot which brought the birds down in two's and three's" and another was that I had managed to get through the day without cheating on my diet. It really worked for me because instead of sitting thinking about my pain it took me into another mood of satisfaction and consequently less pain. Amazing or what? Give it a try and do tell me how you get on.

I've even managed to start my home study course on Reflexology by resting on the settee all day with my feet up and my books and computer by my side, so all in all a great day.:DD