Sunday 11 September 2022

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


27 comments:

  1. Have a fabulous time Vix. Look forward to hearing your round up. Jane ( thesmallfabricofmylife)

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  2. I think you deserved residency for Greece. It's lovely that you have the opportunity bti travel and are making the most of it.

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  3. Oh lovely, have a wonderful time!! xxx

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  4. Eh up Vix! Wowzers, the bag is a tardis! I'm super behind in blog reading as I've been working extra, extra hours since returning from my wee camping expedition. I did just have a nosey at your fab End of the Road pictures in your previous post though. Who is that sparkly mystical lady walking through the woods? You have a lovely time in Rhodes. I look forward to seeing the Grecian goddess again xXx

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  5. Of course, you quoted Durrell -- and packed favorite books to be reread. Aside from scriptures and Shakespeare, certain authors and specific passages do serve as captions to special times and places in our lives. Delighted that you share these select "cutlines" with your photos!

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  6. Have a fabulous time. I know I have said it before but, I cannot believe some of the stunning things that you find in CS. And so cheaply priced too. Our CS are good but treasures are few and far between. I did snaffle a lovely green leather saddle bag style shoulder bag recently but I had to pay £6 for it.
    Enjoy your hols. I look forward to reading all about it.Safe travels

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  7. How lovely to have another holiday in a favourite place. Have a wonderful time and I'll read all about it when you get back and imagine I was there too

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  8. After all of your rushing around recently it will be lovely for you both to escape on holiday awhile xx

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  9. Sounds wonderful. Such a pretty wardrobe and jewellry. Love it all. I'm sure Jon won't let the side down wardrobe wise!! How crazy is it, that it is cheaper to stay at an hotel for a night than pay for parking for the time you are away. Madness!! 'It's All About Me' and I love it!! Zxx

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  10. I start using libby app to get books from different libraries. I would like get a few foreign libraries on my device. So I can get borrow books from different areas.
    My oldest son and his wife will be visiting United Kingdom for about two weeks.
    Coffee is on and Stay safe

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  11. As usual such clever packing. Are you sure that Jon has some clothes with him? If not, we will wait with bated breath to see him in one of your maxi dresses. ;-)

    Have an amazing time ... I'm really sure you will. xx

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  12. I hope you have a wonderful time! I am so in awe of your minimalist packing and you didn't even reach your luggage allowance. I am loving the new yellow Arya dress; Araya is the name of the place where I get my eyebrows done..I am glad to hear Jon is taking some clothes with him!!

    The reading choices look great and I, too, am always so grateful to have e reader when I go away; saves having to make hard choices between books and clothes!
    xxx

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  13. I love seeing how other people pack - how luxurious to have a check-in bag! I haven't done that in years. I still carry books with me, but there's no way I'd read 12 (more like 1-3 max) - I thrift them and then leave them behind when I'm done.

    Enjoy Rhodes, Vix and Jon! See you on the other side!

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  14. Oh very interesting book
    Cute outfit

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  15. How exciting! Have a great time! Let us know if you enjoyed the Once and Future Witches! I did! I loved Circe. You look like a secret Greek Goddess in the last picture!

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  16. Hi Vix, I have the sequel to the girls of Troy...I rarely buy new books but was at Glasgow station facing a four hour train ride with NO Book as I'd finished my chazza reads. I'm happy to post it to you if you'd like it. Let me know when you're back from holidays. I hope you have a fabulous time xx

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  17. Have a great holiday. Can't wait to see all the photos xxx

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  18. You always wear maxi dresses so well. Enjoy Rhodos! Have a great vacation! I'm looking forward to reading your travel diaries.

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  19. You've perfected the art of packing to a T. Loving your choices and can't wait to see you wearing them on the other side! Have a most excellent holiday, you two! xxx

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  20. Wow, so lovely that you're back in Rhodes!, returning to a so beautiful place is a Great Idea!. And you know I love your baggage posts! ;D Your fabulous dresses, the hippietastic sandals, the books, everything looks appealing and inspiring!. I've been also a light packer so feel spoiled when I can check-in a 20kg case! (even more spoiled when we travel by car!).
    Glad that Jon is packing some clothes. ;DD
    Hope you're having a fantastic holiday!
    besos

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  21. You certainly have made the most of this summer! Pushing the boat out with that 20kg luggage too you crazy fools! Look forward to seeing your dreamy holiday photos. xxx

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  22. Ah, lovely Greece! I hope you have a wonderful time!
    I like your capsule travel wardrobe very much! I am not very good at that. I end up taking too much (half of which I don't wear!)
    You did well on the yellow dress! That's very cool! I always think it is much nicer not to have to travel in the morning you are travelling- staying overnight is a great idea, even better if cheaper! xx

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  23. 70% off is great. I don't know if we have Koba here in United States. Safe Travels
    Coffee is on and stay safe

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  24. Enjoy!

    Love that your hip has it's own ID card! :-) And an reader is so much nicer than hauling a gazillion paperback books! We have second-hand bookstores, which are my friends. :-) Not quite as inexpensive as chazzas, but the ones in my area have very little interesting light reading, which is what I buy in paperback.

    That blue and white striped top looks like it should be a related separate for your Monsoon co-ordinates. 👍

    Looking forward to your travelogue when you return! :-)

    ...Taja 🏜️

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  25. Enjoy your trip, Vix! I'm sure you'll look absolutely wonderful in your Monsoon embroidered cotton co-ords! X

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  26. Have a wonderful time Vix, I am looking forward to your return post. Your new dress is beautiful, what a lucky find :) your sandals all look super comfy and your hat is fabulous.

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Lots of love, Vix