Friday 4 July 2008

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.

17 comments:

  1. Have a safe journey, I am the same about flying! Enjoy your trip.

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  2. I am so with you on this - both the total unimaginable horror of flying (fear is far too insignificant a word) and the never packing enough or the right thing....but, hey, the airport will probably lose your baggage anyhow!
    But, seriously, have a fabulous fabulous time....and look forward to hearing your tales when you return to blogworld. jxx

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  3. Hi there, have just dropped by to wish you a happy 4th of July, only to see that you have probably already left the building!! It's Independence Day alright. Look forward to hearing your about your trip when you can get to a computer. M xx

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  4. Have a great time. I might see you at the end of July in Heathrow when we go over there! Hope you have a wonderful trip to the North East. Tell Drunk Mummy I looked at her blog the other day and although it was short lived it was brilliant! And I expect Frog is still in mourning.

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  5. Have a fabulous time. And don't worry about our getting together without you; everyone is booked up so far in advance these days that even if we start planning it now, it probably won't happen until next summer...

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  6. Have a fab holiday up North - I bet you're gorging on proper fish and chips now and have pegged and unpegged the washing at least ten times today due to the big storms.

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  7. Have a fabulous time in our warm and sunny clime!
    It has been pouring down all weekend and is chilly to say the least! Somethings don't change!

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  8. I am an ex-pat too but I'm in Australia and I came here via Africa. I also hate flying although your little flit across the Atlantic sounds easy when I consider our 24 hours to London!
    Mu new Blog is Rinkly Rimes, a daily diet of serious and ridiculour poetry.
    http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/

    I'd love you to visit me.
    Brenda

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  9. Bon voyage..I leave for Manchester on Tuesday for a week we may even pass by each other???

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  10. Have a great time and enjoy your fish 'n' chips.

    See you on your return!

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  11. I have always hated flying but I found that when my kids were nightmares travelling transatlantically suddenly the prospect of crashing didn't seem too bad. What you need is a good case of "counter-irritant" to get your mind off of flying. I can lend you my middle child who throws up during virtually every form of transport (cars, ferrys, eurotunnels, planes) and scrounging around for airsickness bags always gets my mind off of other "worst case scenarios."

    Have a great trip and remember there's no place like home, Toto.

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  12. ENOUGH WITH THE BLOODY RAIN ALREADY!

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  13. Hey ExM:
    Looks like I missed your leaving day. Is it raining in England then? It's hotter than hell here (90's) and the mozzies are out in force - so enjoy it.
    Can't wait to hear all about your trip.

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  14. As for the rain... welcome back!

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  15. ah yes, real fish and chips. Bring me back some malt vinegar!
    Cheers

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  16. Yep...the weather's not so brill a ce moment...it was lovely down in the Langhe area of Italy a week ago. Started raining as we left Dijon and almost got blamed for it by a local frog (who was actually very charming...). Have a good trip..you'll enjoy being back if only to appreciate going back home!!! H x

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  17. Sounds like fun! I'm sorry about your flight anxiety... somehow I've always been an easy flier, which is lucky considering the number of Air Miles I've racked up over the years.

    It's so cute when kids find "old fashioned" things like doing the laundry so much fun. The American kids here where I work in France are exactly the same way!

    amelie
    http://travelday.today.com

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