During the1940's we spent our holidays in Llansteffan, in a b@b at the end of a row of cottages which are still there. Apart from donkey rides, a walk around the castle and ice-creams there was little else to do but I don't remember being bored.

Llandrindod Wells was anotherof our destinations and Aberystwyth, too. For Aberystwyth,we caught the 'bus at Carmarthen Railway Station and changed at Aberaeron. My aunt waved usus off and we had cheese on toast at a cafe on the front as soon as we arrived.

Wesuppliedour own food, because this was wartime and it was cooked by the guest house owner. Knowingmy fondnessfor donkeys, I'd begiven acarrot from the gardentoreward the donkey I'd ridden.

On a Sundaymorning, we went to Chapel in Aberystwyth. To keep me quiet, my mother told me to listen to the minister because he'd bewelcoming the holiday makers and I wouldn't want to miss it.(She understood a bit about child psychology.)

Maudie and Ffion were studing Pompeii in school recently, as part ofan 'ancient civilisation' module.

Ffion showed a picture of herself, standing by a petrified figure, her face registering her shocked expression.

Maudie, being younger,was fascinatedby arealdog sleeping in one of the buildings.The girls tooktheir photo album, withpictures of the preserved mosaic floor and variousbuildings.

We sailed to Capri and went to Amalfi on another day. Their teacher asked which picture they would they like on the wall. They chose the one of themselves tacklinggiant ice-creams in Sophia Loren's favourite ice-cream parlour in Sorrento. (Nothing to do with Pompeii, but that's how the mind works, or as Falstaff said, 'Why should death rob life of fourpence?')

Experiences enrich our mind, anchor information.Not allparents areable to take their leave entitlement during school holidays andmany schools,understand this and see holidays asopportunities for further education.

School terms are too long for junior children.Ten week terms aretiring for them, the work suffering. Shorter but more frequentbreaks could be the answer, for tour operators and for pupils alike.