Packing Therapy

Mostly, preparing to go away sucks. There are a hundred and one things to do - organising the paperwork is a pain - visas, flights, insurance all take time and money. Then there is all the pressure of deciding the the itinerary, the route, and booking hotels. There is the worry about leaving home and all the things that can go wrong, There is having to tidy and clean everything, saying goodbye to all the different people. Just lots of stuff.

However, there is one real pleasure in preparing to go away. Packing your gear. For some reason I always find this immensely therapeutic. I did this with my friend Alice (who is moving into my flat whilst I am away) yesterday.

We got everything out, laid it in piles before packing it away safely. The first pile was the bike gear. Leather trousers, jacket, armour plates, gloves, buffs and snoods. Oh and of course my Marlon Brando The Wild one/Humphrey Bogart African Queen Cap.

Next came the mountain hiking gear - merino wool thermals, light trousers, fleece, anorak, merino socks, gloves, hiking boots and John Wayne/Union Cavalry officer Cap.

Then came the normal stuff. T shirts, jeans, shorts, underwear, toiletries, socks, trainers pile.

There was the technology pile. My Kindle, Iphone, Keyboard, normal phone, chargers, leads and cables.

Finally the pile of stuff that I was going to wear on the flight over. Smart jeans, shirt and jacket in the misguided idea that somehow I might get an upgrade. And a Directors cap.

All packed neatly into 2 bags and a satchel. All the stress of the last few weeks seemed a lot more distant after that.