As I may have mentioned before, we went holidaying in Greece.
That makes us among the most privileged people on the planet and yes, somewhat guilty about the flying – rationing ourselves to once a year is hardly self-denial.
Talking about self-denial – packing.
Now, we have been on Mediterranean holidays for many years, and what is more, this time we went back to the same Greek island as last year.
So, packing should have been a doddle.
But, and yes I am hoping you are saying ‘but’ too.
And at this point I need to tell you the Best Beloved has to use two sticks to get around so any heavily-packed suitcase falls to me to move around – another good reason for packing lightly – you would think.
There were days in my youth when my job involved a lot of travel and I could pack fast, lightly, for all the necessary occasions – a smart Rubic’s cube of a small case, and all sorted.
Apparently, I have lost this skill.
So, despite the fact that we both know what the holiday will involve, we take so much more than we need/ever wear.
Did the BB need four shirts? – actually two of them will go home unused.
Just for example.
On my part, I have an image in my head of an early evening when I shower after a day visiting somewhere, being on the beach etc etc.
I will then slip on something casual but rather nice and heading out to dinner.
I never do this.
Yesterday we ate ( a very good) lunch in what we had been swimming in, with a bit of a cover-up item – actually a worn every day, charity shop jersey ‘dress’.
And ate supper ‘at home’.
The day before? see above.
Probably ( actually very probably,) I will never wear the fancy patterned trousers, the other pair of shorts, three of the four white T-shirts, the glamorous orange top, the white shirt I bought (surprisingly for me) at full price and not from a charity shop.
The BB will not wear the nice linen trousers he brought (neither will I wear mine), or the other pair of trousers – useful though they seemed in Deepest Sussex.
He has worn the same shorts every day.
I needed a cardigan and denim jacket – really? It is in the low 30s centigrade.
The BB brings snorkelling gear for me every year in the hope I will overcome my irrational fear of putting my head underwater and go looking for small fish – in my defence, there aren’t many.
So, for all the complaining about lifting and moving a heavy case and a pull-along, I only have ourselves to blame.
We have every intention of coming back here next year, not least because it works for the BB – and probably to the same apartment.
It would be good to be able to leave a bag of stuff here that we only use here – flip-flops, snorkels (see above), a few clothes, factor 50 sun cream….
But I am guessing Panos, the apartment owner would rather we took them home and learned to pack better.
I certainly would.