And we're off...

OK. Enough packing. I have tried to put together "outfits", ensuring that no piece matches less than four other pieces in my suitcase. Isn't that what all the magazines tell you to do? I always end up panicking and flinging t-shirts and trousers in, then looking like a bag lady at my mothers. You're also supposed to pack, then immediately take out two thirds of it as most people over-pack. I, on the other hand, never take enough and have to start scrounging garments as soon as I land at Heathrow. "As long as I have our passports", I tell myself, "we can buy anything else we need." These days, with the exchange rate, we had better be in dire need. We have two standard size suitcases for me and three kids, two of whom are taller than me. I don't think that's too bad really.

And now the flight. I hate flying, so have located my few last Xanex type pills, to "reduce anxiety". Why I bother I don't know. I am in sole charge of three kids so daren't take the prescribed dose of two in case they venture to the loo in barefeet (yuck) or stay awake watching movies all night. I therefore still feel like I'm always about to plunge to a horrible death, I just can't be bothered to do anything about it. Wine doesn't work as any turbulence will have me heaving over the loo, as well as fearing imminent death. This year, the friend I am staying with in the Lakes is a registered hypno-therapist, so I'm going for it. I might also try the "please make me hate all fatty foods and alcohol" session.

While I'm in London briefly, I shall me hooking up with my old mate Drunk Mummy . I wish I could promise to get her plastered and blogging again, but she has a steely resolve, so it won't happen. I will also be meeting up with new blogging buddies in Northumberland, which will be great fun. Potty Mummy and I have discussed having a London bloggers' get together next year, since I don't have time this year. We could have a competition to see who can identify all the anonymous bloggers. (Actually, feel free to go ahead without me if the urge is there - I won't mind, Sniff, sniff.)

I have no idea how "Internet connected" I will be in England (till end of July), so probably won't be posting inane comments on your blogs. I hope to be able to post the occasional piece on my blog, but it always seems a bit rude to turn up at someone's house and then commandeer the laptop. We'll see.

And now off for some real fish and chips. My kids, for some reason, have a great longing to hang out laundry on grandma's washing line (and then usually run out and hour later to retrieve it from the rain). I have photos of them doing it since they were very little. Memories.

Back properly in August.