Candle Makers Supplies has an introductory kit for up to 17 candles (pounds 19.50) or the child-friendly Waddington’s Get Set Colour Candles Kit (pounds 19.95). You could progress to pineapple or dinosaur shaped candles (moulds from pounds 3.10) perfumed with tomato or gardenia (from pounds 3.10). Meanwhile, you could do something soothing such as sticking all those old recipes and gardening tips into a charming “recipes” or “gardening year” spiral-bound A5 notebook (pounds 9.95, Matthew Rice) and order some wine or jam labels (pounds 1.95).Or, if gripped by a communitarian and creative spirit, you could all make some candles. Janet Coles Beads has kits for children, as well as for adults (from pounds 3.25), using everything from seed pearls to wood to Venetian glass and semi-precious stones. For non-Buddhists, its perspex ant farm kit (pounds 7.95) should prove diverting and it also has a wide range of theatrical performance products, including a slot- together puppet theatre (pounds 19.95), plus a floppy sun hat painting set (pounds 9.99).By now you will have a young Bloomsbury set in the making.

If the smaller children still need occupying, a supply of paper animal model-making kits (pounds 1.99) and some jigsaw books (pounds 4.99 for five) from Magna Books might keep them entertained.Jewellery-making is another winning time-consumer. And take away the ladder.
For the older kids who complain about the interior decor, leave them in their bedroom with a glass-painting kit (Tridia Toys by Post, pounds 7.99) That will give the neighbours something to talk about. On second thoughts, just get them a climbing frame tent (pounds 39.95). Throw in a collage kit (pounds 5.99) and a peg-doll kit (pounds 4.99) and you will never look back. Go for good old-fashioned activity days: kits, crafts, activity and educational toys – and treats for adults

The nippers are easy to cater for. Get them a painting kit – double-sided easel (pounds 19.99), non-spill (I merely quote the catalogue) paint pots (89p), paint blocks (pounds 3.99) and protective overalls (from pounds 3.49) from the Early Learning Centre. The precocious child wants rollerblades; the parent has burdened it with hand-me-down skates.

It is a war of attrition that the hot summer takes to boiling point And it is only two weeks into the holidays Forget the park. The Natural Death Centre, 20 Heber Road, London NW2 6AA (0181-208 2853). I have seen them in the park. The parent walking off defiantly, the child red-eyed, barefoot, glued to the burning tarmac and wailing next to a pair of discarded rollerskates. Vic Fearn & Co, Crabtree Mill, Hempshill Lane, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8PF (0115 977 1571). There is no knowing how one will be affected, I just imagine that the grieving will be that much easier.”Heaven on Earth, 47 Picton St, Bristol BS6 5PZ (0117 942 1836). “When one of us has to pop off, there will be a nice feeling about it.

The coffins are part of the furniture now and there is nothing frightening about them. There is a bench there and we like to think this is where the grave diggers sit to eat their sandwiches.”Barbara thinks that making your own arrangements can be therapeutic. They got so many enquiries from people wanting to do the same that David Huelin drew up his design for the Natural Death Handbook, available from the NDC.Although the Huelins’ funeral arrangements do not include pall bearers or a funeral director, they have gone for a traditional funeral plot: “It’s a double-decker grave in a sunny spot near the potting shed. These are now bagged up and wait in the shed along with the coffins. “The lid of my coffin hangs on the shed wall like a painting and I see it every day.

It is all very matter of fact, something we did together.” The total cost of the Huelins’ coffins was about pounds 50 each, which is cheaper than any other coffins on the market Word spread. A friend decorated the lid of mine with red poppies and my husband’s is plain.”A local carpenter heard what they were up to and offered them cedarwood shavings as a sweet-smelling lining. The handles are made of yachting rope, and because we happened to have some green paint they are both painted fir green. “In the end, I told my husband that he would have to make them and he’d better get on with it. He was 78 at the time and I thought he might pop off before it was done.”They bought sheets of block board from their local DIY store and took it in turns to stand against the boards to be measured. “The coffins are absolutely straightforward, traditional coffin shapes, beautifully made.