Listing

You'd think by now that I was used to this holiday malarkey. But I'm not, I'm stressing. 

I have started packing. I've lost my good penknife. I did think I'd lost my fourth pannier but it's under my desk at work. I was going to change peddles and saddle but it did insist on raining all day. Apt I suppose. 

I took a Santa like approach. Made a list, checked it twice. Then made a list of things to do resulting from the previous list. Two lists in fact. Then a list of books to maybe read. Then places to see.  I suspect my time may have been better spent doing stuff off list one*.

I checked my passport was in date (probably should have done that a while ago) and that my e111 was in 'the travel drawer'. I got myself an ICC which I hope will reduce the need to write out addresses and place of birth multiple times. (Still scared by the time a woman insisted that Barrow-in-Furness was in fact the wrong answer and that I was born in nowhere less 'principal' than London.)

The way to solve all this stress would be to get everything totally ready to go but then, I'd have to keep unpacking - just to check. 

Now my kit is in a Sainsbury's bag for life and I have been through it 3 times. It's still all the same stuff as the first time but not as neatly folded. 

I managed my stress by shouting and sewing so, when I realised it was our last Saturday together until August, Steve went to get a takeaway (and probably shelter in the pub). I sewed a rag doll.  

I'm thinking of making her some funky cycling kit. Maybe she will join the touring team**.

*Any input on lists 3 (books) and 4 (destinations) will be gratefully received. 

** for those that want an insight into what a month alone on the road does to me that's: Nordie the bike, me and a polar bear called Norris. Norbert the computer has recently been replaced with Norbert II. Naturally the doll would have to be named Norah.