But developments in the politics of holidays this week are a cause for concern. It seems we are no longer allowed to be totally off duty anymore.

Politicians have been criticised for not being available while on their jollies and those who did get away felt obliged to participate in stage-managed photo shoots wearing carefully coordinated leisure wear.

The question of 'when is a holiday not a holiday?' must have surely crossed the Russian president Vladimir Putin's mind when he posed with a fishing rod and wearing green khaki trousers while on holiday this week.

Putin was shirtless in the holiday snap, his toned and slightly threatening torso sending the message that a tough guy is in charge of Russia.

If needs be, Putin's rod would be cast aside and his fists would be up in fight mode, ever-ready to take on anyone who would dare face down his great nation.

Poor old Gordon Brown didn't even get time to change into his trunks before he was called back from his modest English seaside resort break after just four hours to chair meetings on the potential foot-and-mouth crisis.

The British prime minister has had more than a busy time since he took office two months ago and has been onhand to deal with everything from sick herds of cattle to those who chose to drive into the terminal building at Glasgow airport.

French president Nicolas Sarkozy was criticised for staying in a plush American estate home, which his critics said he couldn't afford. But when they sent the photographers to catch him wearing his shorts on his boat, he jumped onto their vessel to tell them how annoyed he was, giving them the opportunity to nab a close up.

He rounded off his holiday by having a burgers and chips lunch with George Bush . . . now that can't be anyone's idea of fun.

Back home, the August lull provided great comfort to all of our government politicians who, having fought the good fight and won an election, needed some down time.

Aer Lingus was taking a whipping, the pilots are planning to take two days off next week, but our guys are on holidays and are not to be disturbed. Fair enough, I say, everyone is entitled to kick back once in a while.

It is interesting though that when foot-and-mouth looked as though it could be a real and present danger, agriculture minister Mary Coughlan was back at her desk, taking control and assuring us that all was being taken care of.

Perhaps it's the case that holidays for politicians are a good way of avoiding conflict situations, but can be easily broken if there is an opportunity for them to show their worth.

Most working people have a reasonable expectation to take some time off away from the pressures of the job but, with politicians either breaking off their holidays to deal with perceived crises or using their break to orchestrate photo shoots, is our down time being eroded from the top?

There aren't many who would begrudge the elected minority some time away but this trend towards being visible on holiday could set a dangerous precedent for the rest of us.

Leading by example could mean we all have to be available when we are away.

Dreaded beeping Blackberrys and ringing mobiles already permeate our precious holidays and, if we allow it, a minor blip at the office could mean having to jump on a plane and come home to deal with an issue that could have been sorted out easily in our absence.

The start of my holiday will be punctuated with that delicious moment when I record my voicemail message on my phone giving the details of when I'll be back.

Over the course of my break I'm pretty sure that I won't be racing home to deal with a work emergency . . . but I'd put a sizeable wager on checking my messages and emails on a regular basis. I blame the politicians.