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.