Packing

Why do you all pack so late?? The day before surely that makes you more stressed?? I've got all my clothes already on my case and I've got 3 weeks left just a matter of maybe a week before to tidy it up a little! I like to make sure I have everything sorted!

Pack the night before. I normally have a rough idea of the clothes I want to take. If I forgot something, it gives me an excuse to buy a replacement. Also, we have the cat problem as well where they "play up" if they see the cases.

The only thing I might pre-organise, is the piling up of electronic stuff and related chargers.

My suitcase for clothes onto bed in a spare room about 4 weeks before the "off" - Mrs HWV's similar suitcase onto bed in another spare room. y)

Suitcase for potions - suntan lotions, books, mosquito zappers etc - in another room but that stays part loaded from one year to another. y)

My likely holiday wear (speedoes etc!!) placed on bed from then on. Fine tuning of what to actually take occurs about two days out. y)

On return from airport quick pit stop here on the way to Hotel Dogalot. Quick shot of caffeine and invariably first load of clothes into washing machine before setting off to collect the girlies. y)

PS All these spare rooms - perhaps it is time to get another dog? ii)

I have template lists for various types and lengths of trips that I regularly update. I also have a number of storage boxes that contain the staples for each list.

3-4 weeks before a trip I go through the list to see if I need to buy anything new, send clothes to dry cleaners and put start washing the rest at home.

2 weeks before holiday - clothes set out in spare room. If it's business I get off reasonably lightly, if it's a holiday I then have to enter a period of negotiation with husband that starts with "you can't possible take all that"!!! v(

1 week before holiday - I have usually reluctantly agreed to remove 25% of the clothes on the bed and 4-5 pairs of shoes. !

2 nights before holiday - suitcases packed. y)

1 night before holiday - panic sets in and I quietly return items straight into the suitcases and practice my surprised look at the airport when yet again it is explained I need to pay the equivalent of the national debt in excess baggage charges! :w