I can just
about manage an overnight in the next county, provided I know exactly what
we'll be doing. Then it's simply whatever I'm travelling in {Which will include layers to remove if the
weather gets hotter} plus a matching jumper {in case it gets cold}. I only need to add an outfit for the
evening, a choice of two clean T-shirts for the next day, spare knickers {x2} spare socks {x2} and spare trousers {You
never know when you might be involved in a water fight, or fall over in the
mud.} Plus all my toiletries, and a dark towel to dry my hair with if
I've recently had it coloured - in which event I'll also take my own
pillowcase.
However,
preparing for longer trips, or going further afield {where goodness only knows what the weather will be like} or for
uncertain itineraries, deciding what to pack is rather more difficult. I
usually end up just taking everything I own, and invariably come home with more
clean clothes than dirty ones. And don't even get me started on shoes.
The most
sensible way to attack packing is, of course, to start a week or so in advance
and lay everything out on the spare bed as I think of it. The trouble is,
I usually need to actually wear the clothes I'm planning to take in the week
before I go away. Even if I could bring myself to plan that far in
advance I can't do it at the moment, because my spare bed is covered with all
the coats I had to take out of the hall when I had the new front door put in
last week.
There is an
added complication for the trip I'm about to go on today; it's actually two
trips without coming home in between. I have to pack for four days in a
caravan, followed by a weekend seminar in a city hotel. Last night I came
to the reluctant conclusion that I couldn't put it off any longer so, fortified
by much tea, I opened the bedroom door... and was relieved to discover that the
clothes I'd washed the previous day weren't yet dry! That welcome respite
revived my spirits somewhat and I am ready to face the task now. Just as
well, as I leave in an hour!
