And They're Off...

Oh yeah, we're going on another holiday! Although our flight doesn't leave until Monday morning, the train from Walsall to Birmingham airport doesn't start running that early so we're heading there via the train today and staying at an onsite hotel two minutes walk from the terminal which works out 75% cheaper than airport parking.

Jon's travelling in a Breton-style top, organic cotton shorts and Superdry floral espadrilles (all charity shopped)

I'm wearing a Dilly Grey block printed Indian cotton sun dress and leather gladiators (bought - shock horror - brand new!) My metallic leather bag contains my straw hat, Kobo, reading glasses, camera and purse. Jon has the passports, my hip identity card and all the paperwork in his rucksack.

We're sharing the 20kg check-in baggage allowance which, after several trips with hand luggage only, feels very decadent and I've crammed as much as I can get in. We've popped the bag on the scales and it weighs in at 18kg.

What am I taking? There's the Monsoon embroidered cotton co-ord (purchased from their 70% off flash sale), my Topshop "Mom" shorts, a straw cross-body bag and two cotton tops (which were all charity shop finds).

My Naked Generation maxi, the Dilli Grey dress I'm wearing, my Pitusa ruffled maxi, a black linen mini dress and - bargain of the week - a new with tags Beaufort Organics "Arya" linen maxi dress in buttercup yellow (with pockets) which retailed at £270 but cost just £3 from the clearance charity shop on Friday morning! 

 Calzedonia (previously worn in Corfu) & Sea Folly bikinis (both bought new with tags from eBay), my Mexican fedora , two pairs of sunglasses, my prescription glasses, woven clutch (charity shopped), leather comfort sole gladiators, Ancient Greeks & handmade sandals from Corfu. 

I've since swapped the bangles but the Malia Bee pendant, bespoke turquoise beads, Rajasthani tribal hoops, silver rings, tasselled earrings and mismatched enamel and pearl droppers remain. I don't put my jewellery on until I'm through security - my prosthetic hip always sets off the alarms without adding to the confusion.

It's all about the Barry M makeup (plus Sleek creme blush and a Maybelline brow pencil). I've also packed a comb, grips and hairbands.

Jon was too excited to wait for me to photograph his clothes - but he assures me that he is taking some!

 

And the toiletries.....pretty much what we always pack except I've swapped the Lush shampoo and a conditioner bars for these travel sized John Freida products I found in a charity shop. Also packed, but not photographed, are two Greek cotton beach towels, goggles, swimming shoes, mozzie plug-ins, waterproof camera, MP3 player and a guide to conversational Greek.

Above are the books I've downloaded to my Kobo. I love that it understands my reading habits and recommends books that I'll enjoy. After ten years of owning one, I think it knows me very well.

And because I enjoyed them the first time around, I shall reread Natalie Haynes' One Thousand Ships, Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls and Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles and Circe which I downloaded last year and remain in the archives. It sure beats packing twelve paperbacks, like I used to have to do!

And if you're wondering, we're returning to the beautiful island of Rhodes as we loved it so much last time.

Adio! See you on the other side.

xxx