Practice these words – ‘oh, I’m so sorry – we’ve got a houseful, we couldn’t possibly squeeze in one more, as much as we’d love to’.  They are coming!  As I type, the Landcruisers are being packed with bikinis and camping equipment (and that’s only the men!).   Meanwhile, here on the coast, the sea sparkles in innocence – there is a breeze in the trees – the sun is shining – everyone seems calm and blissfully unaware – they are coming!  Get your alcohol orders in early!  Make sure you have filled your water storage tanks to overflowing!  Make sure you stock up on cooking gas, canned goods, and most importantly chocolate.  There is nothing more you can do now except enjoy the ride.  Do regularly check your guestrooms for signs of Up Country invasion – it is very important or you may get overtaken in a matter of days.  You can also find them in your fridge, and more commonly your drinks cooler, particularly the adolescent variety.  A quick spray ‘Shall I call your Mum?’ can sometimes do the trick but over the Christmas/New Year period, when the coast is particularly vulnerable, it is not a permanent fix.  The danger generally passes a few days into the New Year and a dose of Alka-Seltzer can keep it at bay, usually until February half term.

By Sara Engel – www.DiscoverWatamu.com