Every month or two I have to write an overview of great restaurants, hotels and bars in Amsterdam. It's not a difficult job, it must be said; in fact, the writing of the piece takes the least time of all ...

Collecting the information is all about consuming - I have to eat, drink and sleep through some of the nicest venues in town (oh no!) - but it does consume time. Time and energy.

I've also noticed that it has spoiled me. A friend recently suggested that I might like to join her on a holiday soon, one in which she suggested we stay in a hostel... uh... no. I don't stay in hostels anymore - I have done my time in those bunk beds! But really, its not that I can afford anything better frankly, its just that I'm so used to staying in great hotels and writing about them -I wouldn't know how to stay in a hostel anymore. And let's face it, I don't want to relearn the skill!

So, has this luxury writing helped or hindered? Who knows. What it has done, is made luncheon meat and youth hostels things that have been relegated to my own personal Room 101!