IN spite of my admiration for Alan Milburn's decision to walk out on high office and all hope of a Prime Ministership for the sake of his family, I couldn't help feeling a little sorry for his partner Ruth Briel. While she looked happy in all the photographs, there was a nervous edge to her smile. Like she couldn't believe he'd actually done it, and was silently panicking about what happens next.

In one national newspaper, Mr Milburn was quoted as saying their relationship wouldn't last if he stayed in his job. In effect, he gave it all up for the woman and children he loves. So the once fiercely ambitious partner Ruth rarely saw is now back at home, twiddling his thumbs, having abandoned his lifetime dream. And it is largely thanks to her. Who would want to carry a weight like that on their shoulders?

Of course, thousands of women all over the country regularly give up, or scale down, careers for the sake of their children. But there is always the danger of regret, resentment and recriminations. Once the fuss has died down and Alan and Ruth - whose two boys are at school - are alone again they will have to renegotiate their relationship. He will have to fit into family life in a way he never has before. I suspect, to begin with, he will find it much harder work than anything he has done in government.

I AM not surprised we are drinking less tea, the whole business has become far too complicated and stressful. We're no longer just asked if we want one lump or two. Now it's rosehip, camomile, organic green or Assam? Do you want leaves, bag-in or bag-out, skimmed or semi-skimmed? And will decaff do? I love the way my mother-in-law says: "Just normal tea for me please".

But a surly deliveryman put me in my place the other day. After moaning about how heavy the goods were, he added that on the last job he wasn't even offered a drink. "Would you like a cup of tea?" I asked. "Yes please," he almost smiled. I looked in the cupboard. "Earl Grey or English Breakfast?" Clearly insulted, he barked back: "Do I look posh or what?"

SADLY, I identified with author Sue Townsend, talking in an interview with the Echo this week about realising when you've reached middle-age - you're suddenly interested in gardening and constantly complain about music being too loud. One thing she didn't mention, though, was not being able to bear Radio One any more. The children always ask me to turn it on in the car. But the presenters (apart from Mark and Lardy, who are older) are so dull, self-obsessed and giggly, that I can't bear to listen and switch back to Radio Four within minutes. One day soon I'll find myself watching Top Of The Pops and asking if the singer is a boy or a girl.

'NEW hope for home owners," read the headlines this week about the house price slump slowdown. But why is this good news? When anything else, such as the price of cars or baked beans, falls we're all pleased. And aren't cheaper houses welcome news for first time buyers and nurses and teachers who can't afford to live near work - which, ultimately, benefits all of us? Houses are, after all, places to live, not easy money-making schemes.

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