There has been a lot of excitement around the recent launch of KLM flying out of Manston Airport and I attended the inaugural event on April 2, along with many other business people.

Of course, we are keen to see any business new to the county prosper but I am particularly interested in seeing an airline take off. I am surrounded by aviation addicts and it will, at the very least, include me in the conversation at family gatherings.

We have seen EUjet and Flybe both invest in Kent and offer services from an airport so local that it reduces the stress of travel to the airport. To reach any major airport one has to deal with the M25 and this does not help any family holiday or business trip start smoothly – anything can happen!

Imagine being able to leave the house at a reasonable hour, more secure in the knowledge of your route. Imagine not having to navigate the myriad of car parks, buses and bus stops once you arrive, instead facing a short walk across the car park to the terminal. Imagine not having to kill hours waiting for your flight because you have left so early ‘just in case’.

Imagine not contemplating a 20-minute walk along terminal corridors whilst carrying everything you can physically fit into your hand luggage (plus all the extra stuff you bought whilst killing that time I mentioned earlier!)

Imagine being able to travel to more than 130 destinations from this simple start – and never having to see your luggage until arriving at your final destination. It is all just as simple on the way home, but without the unwelcome parking bill and journey back round the M25.

I am as guilty as anyone of making plans to fly but not quite managing it before it is announced that, surprise, surprise, not enough people are using the service. Therefore I pledge in writing now to book my ticket and do my bit to thank KLM for investing in Kent. I hope you can do the same.

Meanwhile, Mr Emma is reminiscing fondly about his days as a market stall trader – what can this mean? It is usually the start of something.

It appears William – our three-year old son – can ask for his bouncy castle to go up an infinite number of times as soon as we have more than five minutes of sunshine.

Jack and Harvey are finally losing their big winter coats which means a constant supply of horse hair in my mouth for no obvious reason. Particularly pleasing to Mr Emma who is allergic (to horses, not me, although I sometimes wonder).