Thank you all for your birthday wishes, as I had promised myself, I went to spend it with the seals.

[More:]

. For more birthday photos, see http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35696&l=9b628&id=664241054

It has been crazily busy - any normal family would have spread our numbers and intensity over a year! But now we are almost back to normal. Tomorrow I go off to a little town called Durazno for two days to start my assignment for the Lonely Planet Guide - this is Stage 2 to see whether they will hire me as a writer. I have chosen this little place, just two hours north, because it isn't in any guide book and it should be!

But, would you believe, it's been tough finding a place to stay - most hotels inland close during the high season, as everyone goes to Punta del Este and other seaside resorts! No-one in their right minds would go to Durazno in this season, but this is when my assignment has to be done! It's a classic task - three restaurants, hotels, attractions, activities - I hope I'll find at least the museum open - I'm looking forward to it - but I'd be grateful for ALL advice!