A great modern dilemma this week:

Each year my husband and I go north for a Queensland holiday. With many of our friends working less or retiring, we find each year more people we know are heading to the same Queensland destination.

I am not anti-social, but I do like to get away. But last year I realised there were so many invitations - come to dinner, play golf, go walking or catch up - and we didn’t feel we had a proper break. How do you tell friends you just want to have a quiet holiday without appearing rude?