The school holidays do make a difference. Oh yes, they do. I can get a seat on the bus, go on the upper deck if I want, and not have to worry about being jeered at by school kids or getting a salvo of moody looks or both.

Same goes for the tube, I can get a seat on just about any carriage most times of the day. No queues either at the gym, if there's a piece of equipment I want to use, I can. Lines at the supermarket are n't too large, nor are they at any of the numerous coffee shops I drop in to.

Not having kids does have some advantages.