I've been out of town Monday to Thursday on a number of consulting engagements for 20 months. Over that time it's become increasingly hard to pack up and head for client site on a Monday, whilst leaving behind my other half, who has also found it increasingly difficult for me to be away every week.I appreciate that this is the consulting lifestyle, but I was hoping to draw on the wealth of knowledge here and wondered if anyone had any advice (other than to stop being soft!) on how to make it easier when we head off to client site.

Things I've tried in the past and things I've thought about trying……1. Arrange for your partner to come visit you after work one evening in the week. Can’t beat a $hag in a nice hotel (even if is in in Sunderland) for re-igniting the romance.2. Take up a bit on the side - ideally someone on the project team. This will admitedlly help you more than your partner. 3. Skype and/or Facetime at prearrenged times of the day and night4. Sexting5. Write letters to each other - yup - old fasioned beyond belief, but you'll be able to pretend that your two far-flung lovers from a Jane Auston novel.6. Ask to work from home occassionally7. Tell your boss you have a broken tooth and need to and need to see a dentist first thing Monday morning, thus taking one day off the travel schedule every now and again. (If you work for the sort of boss that's likely to look in your mouth to check you really have a broken tooth, then tell him you have piles instead; no one's going to check that.8. Find out where else your client has offices (closer to your home) and try to manufacture visits there to do research or talk to stakeholders or gather info, etc. Make it a day trip and get home that night.9. Go home one night during the week - even if you get back late and have to leave early again the next morning.