No, we can't really afford to absorb the cost of her stay, grannyactivist. Also, our cottage is tiny, so she's had to have our bed when staying and we slept on an airbed in the living room! The first time she stayed, was the year after her husband had died. She was very welcome at the time, because she needed to have a break, and we took her out and about here and there in the car. However the following year, she asked when she could come up again. She lives in the city and enjoyed our countryside. The same thing happened the following year. I was quite devious one day, and called in a the supermarket while we were out. I thought this may jog her conscience....but it didn't! That backfired a bit! She phoned earlier this year and I carefully skirted around the subject of holidays and didn't give her the opportunity to ask when she could come again. It's awkward, because I feel a bit mean-spirited. However, I'm giving myself a shake, because I do know that we cannot afford to have her stay, with food costs being what they are, as well as the cost of petrol to take her out. Her main conversations are about where best to put her money, so that she can make the most from it. She agrees that she's got more money than she knows what to do with! Oh dear....'it's an ill-divided world', as they say round here! Am I being a meanie though?