It never rains but it pours, so the saying goes, which was particularly true of my finances last week. However, rather than cash flowing into my bank account it was draining out at a rather alarming rate of knots.

It never rains but it pours, so the saying goes, which was particularly true of my finances last week. However, rather than cash flowing into my bank account it was draining out at a rather alarming rate of knots.

The first financial hit came when taking my car to be serviced. I know I'm doing women drivers everywhere no favours by admitting to this, but in the three years I've owned my little Ford Ka I've never bothered to have it serviced. I check the oil and water levels every once in a blue moon and I did do the tyre pressure not too long ago, but that's it.

So it was no surprise to be told it needed new brake pads, a new alternator belt and a couple of other things that escape me now, all of which was setting me back £300 - ouch.

This also coincided with a trip to the beautiful city of Bath for a former college friend's engagement party. Having already decided to 'let the train take the strain' I booked up a saver return ticket for £43 (plus £5 next day delivery because, as usual, I left it to the last minute). However, my 'saver' ticket turned out not to save me any money at all in the end, the reason being that I got so caught up in house hunting on the Saturday morning (yes, it's still on-going) that I missed the train and because of the type of ticket, could not get a later one. So I drove the 200-odd miles to Bath, relieved that I'd at least had the service as I'm sure I my car would have conked out otherwise.

And it was a pleasant drive anyway, with a mixture of blazing sunshine interspersed with short sharp showers to add variety.

When I finally arrived at the house I had five minutes before the taxi arrived and so did the quickest change in the history of women getting changed to go out.

The party was fabulous - held in the vaults of a wine bar - and I consumed copious amounts of wine and lots of nachos (my substitute dinner).

Then it was on to another club called Moles, which rather fittingly for the name seemed to be inhabited by a somewhat strange, nocturnal breed of human (one with no spatial awareness or social skills).

Stumbling out at about 3.30am, we then trawled the majestic cobbled streets looking for a pizza parlour (classy I know) before heading back. Unfortunately for me, I neglected to remember that my car was parked in a pay and display car park and by the time I dragged myself from my make-shift bed some four measly hours later, I had received a parking ticket to the tune of £60 (roll on pay day is all I can say).

So, my trip to watery Bath, for it did rain while I was there, left me somewhat high and dry on the financial side, not to mention physically exhausted after driving back having had little sleep (I even drank coffee to stay awake, and I hate coffee).

But it was worth the effort just to catch up with all my college mates and have a change of scenery, and at least the weather stayed nice for the drive back.

Still on the subject of weather, I want to congratulate my friend Melody, who held her first exhibition of paintings last week entitled Elements. The canvases, depicting a variety of sky and landscapes, looked amazing in the huge, airy atrium of Endeavour House in Ipswich.

And she sold some pieces so at least someone, if not me, is experiencing financial success.

But I guess in the grand scheme of things all will balance itself out. Despite my bank account experiencing a severe drought just now, I'm sure (fingers crossed) it will get a good watering eventually.