Tuesday 4 August 2009

I'm beginning to think Ryanair are right

The last few times we've flown out to Italy we've just taken the one bag 10 kilos of hand luggage option and its been fine, quite liberating to be limited and I've always had plenty of clothes etc, no problem. So imagine what its like packing when you can take as much as you possibly want in the car. I've used this opportunity to have a wonderful sort out in my wardrobe as well as buying essentials to take to Italy, things you don't find so easily there like nice mugs plus things its easier to source while I'm at home when I have more time and know where to go. We bought two large storage crates the other weekend, handy for transporting and when the house is rented out we can pack away personal things and put them in the cellar. Means we don't have to keep taking out working or holiday clothes, toiletries, books etc. Oh dear, that's the theory, this is the realityPam suggested we stock up on snacks and drinks for the journey, which made sense to me, any excuse to buy snacks. When I showed Mr FF what I had bought, and maybe I did get a little over enthusiastic, he said 'but we don't usually eat in the car and we don't usually eat sweets and chocolate, why would we want to do so now?' I explained that we might get bored and a sucky sweet could help, he said he won't get bored as he'll be concentrating on the driving, OK more for me then.Its been such a big build up to this trip that we are both stressed and I think I've got to the stage where I want to fly to Italy. I was never 100% about all that driving, we intend to leave Scotland mid afternoon on Wednesday to drive down to Dover and get the 2 am ferry, yes that is the 2 am that happens early morning. We should arrive at the other side around 4 am and depending on how we feel either drive some more or rest. The idea is to have an overnight somewhere in France, then the next day drive on to Tuscany where we will spend a few nights with our friends who kindly let us use their house from time to time. We leave them early on Monday morning to drive to our house in Lazio, which you may know has for the last three years been occupied by a couple of Americans on a corporate let. To take back possession of our house we need to complete with the relocators an exit inventory, agree any damages and return the security deposit. Then it will be all systems go to unpack and get the house ready for holiday letting again, though I hope there will be time for a little relaxation as well, even if its just to build up our strength for the journey home and find things Italian to bring back, don't want to waste an empty car do we.
I'll try to get on line to let you know what we are up to but if not think of me knitting furiously to pass the hours and please don't forget me, I'll be home at the end of the month.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great adventure to me, and you'll see lots of sights on your way, camera opportunities a-plenty! I'm sure it'll worth the long drive to have that Italian sun on your back for a few weeks. Have a lovely time!

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  2. I know, when we travel we think we need " everything but the kitchen sink". We are six and we always pack a lot. Lately we decided we just had a small bag for each person and even so it's a lot.
    Have a good trip.

    Alfazema

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  3. Driving to our holiday home is something the husband is itching to do so I'm really keen to find out how you get on. I'm also quite taken with your point about the empty car for the return trip. Hadn't thought of that! Have a great time and we'll still be here, waiting to hear all about it.

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  4. Have a safe and exciting trip! I think it's a female thing to pack too much. We seem to have to cover all eventualities..... BE PREPARED!
    I must be one of the worst! I always return home with a large pile of 'unused' and a small pile of 'used', because even though I've taken far too much, my 'other' natural instinct is then to 'conserve'!Have fun! You won't be forgotten.:D

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  5. So exciting, Jenny! But I can see how you're more than a little stressed just now...lot at all that lot to deal with--LOL! Packing up certainly does give one a good push toward down-sizing in a good way and living with less. Hope all is going well and you'll be able to scribble us a few lines before you leave. Happy Days, my friend ((HUGS))

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  6. Hello Flip Flog!
    This is my first visit to your blog. Wow! Driving to Italy sounds romantic! Take lots of pictures!

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  7. Oh wow Jenny. Such a lot to think about and plan for. Have a great journey and may your needles be swift and productive!

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  8. Hope you have a great time. We are about to do the same, but heading off to Germany. I'm in charge of the packing, and getting my priorities right, I've planning what yarn to take!

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