THERE'S something in the air at bank holiday time. Something that is intent on scuppering - or at the very least severely disrupting - people's enjoyment of a few welcome days off work.

Look at the evidence. Over the weekend, accident and emergency departments across the country have been on standby to greet and treat the walking wounded, the victims of all our favourite pastimes - DIY, gardening, rambling (well, maybe not this year).

Falling off ladders, suffering electric shocks, getting caught on barbed wire. You name it, more people than ever do it over bank holidays. I've been obliged to visit A&E many times myself during the Easter, May and August breaks, and have lost count of the number of sunny days I've spent sitting on an uncomfortable plastic chair reading year-old copies of Take A Break, surrounded by a motley crew of people, nursing bruised and broken limbs, cuts, grazes and other injuries.

Let's see, of the accidents I remember, there's:

- The August Bank Holiday Soap in the Shower Accident, 1987.

As we got ready for a night out, my then boyfriend - now husband - stepped on the soap as he showered. As he reached out to save himself, he fell and broke the door, cutting his hand. We didn't have a telephone and, horrified at the sight of blood, I ran into the street panicking.

The next thing I knew four neighbours, who were chatting on the pavement, had dashed up into the flat, where my partner was binding his wound, stark naked. He was not best pleased. Still, one of them did run us to the hospital.

Hours spent in casualty: About seven (inner London).

Bank Holiday plans cancelled: Dinner at a restaurant with friends.

- The August Bank Holiday Shopping Trolley Accident, 1989.

I was with a friend who was advised to put three bags of concrete in a DIY store trolley. It then collapsed on her foot. She did get handsomely compensated.

Hours spent in casualty: About five.

Plans cancelled: Afternoon in Brighton.

- The May Bank Holiday Fancy Rat Show Accident, 1991.

They were cute, but looks can be deceptive. I stupidly put my finger into a cage and was bitten. Suddenly everyone was talking about the potentially nightmarish Weil's Disease that rats can pass to humans and how I should get to hospital for treatment STRAIGHT AWAY.

Hours spent in casualty: About six (London).

Plans cancelled: A night out.

- The Easter Bank Holiday Bunk Bed Accident, 2000.

For months, my four-year-old daughter played with care on her little pal's top bunk. But on this particular occasion, she attempted to skydive and not only hurt her back, she fell on a toy and cut her eye.

Hours spent in casualty: About two.

Plans cancelled: Day out to a rare breeds farm.

- The August Bank Holiday High Chair Accident, 2000.

Last year again - my youngest daughter fell out of her high chair on to a hard floor. She was full of beans, but we took her to casualty just in case and spent a pleasant afternoon in the company of other accident victims - mostly sustained on the sports field.

Hours spent in casualty: About three. Plans cancelled: Afternoon walking in the Yorkshire Wolds.

If this bank holiday pans out as normal, I fully expect to spend at least some of it with people in white coats.

But our timing is slightly out this year. My husband is walking with a stick after falling on a broken paving stone on his way to work last week. Someone on high must have decided that we've had more than our fair share of ruined bank holidays.

But, I have a feeling his foot will get worse, and that he'll need an x-ray. Better sort out a cushion for those plastic chairs.