There was a time when I didn't take all of my allotted holiday time. I was younger, poorer, and less capable of thinking of things to do with the time. As a result, I amassed tens of days of holiday as spare. Since changing job, which followed a period of really using up that holiday, I've been in a different situation completely. For the first two years of this job, I have a slightly smaller holiday allocation than I was used to having, though compared to how many days I was taking by the end at my last place (using up the surplus) it's significantly smaller. As a result, I have to plan my holiday time more carefully.

I've agreed to let my father pay for me to go on holiday for a week. Aren't I generous?

I want to spend more than one week and less than two weeks in Edinburgh.

Then I want to go to the US this year, to see friends and, perhaps, take a road trip to Canada. Why? Because it's there.

So, the whole year needs a plan. I think I can just fit it all in. It will be tight...

To make matters worse, I need to take a day and a half off in the next 29 days. If I don't they will vanish. If I do, I want to make good use of them. Any ideas?