Travelling Light(ish)

It feels like ages since we last left these shores and, with Glastonbury looming large on the horizon, a few weeks ago we decided a lazy week in Greece would be just the thing before we threw ourselves into some serious festival trading.

By way of a change we've booked a package holiday, doing it ourselves - like we usually do - would have cost 50% more (I just hope we don't live to regret it!) We've each got a whopping 15kg baggage allowance in addition to 10kg of hand luggage but we're used to travelling light and didn't fancy lugging 50kg of baggage down the hill of doom to the train station so we've managed to squash all we need into one bag which, according to our handy little travellers' scale, weighs in at 14kg. 

So what are we taking? I know lots of you love a packing post as much as I do!

In addition to the hand embroidered tunic I bought in Lindos back in 2021, I'm taking some Joe Browns palazzo pants, my American Apparel shorts and a couple of River Island shirred cotton tops (all courtesy of the clearance charity shop)...

And four Indian cotton dresses (all but the turquoise maxi from Kharibu snaffled from eBay)

There's two bikinis (one an eBay buy in 2020 & the other from La Redoute's end of season sale), two cotton scarves, two charity shopped straw bags, a couple of pairs of sunglasses, the sandals I bought in Corfu last year, some stompy metallic leather sandals from the Clarks' clearance outlet and the new-to-me cowboy boots. I didn't think I needed to photograph the three pairs of knickers & three pairs of socks I'm taking/wearing to travel in!

In addition to knickers and socks, I'm travelling in my charity shopped Diesel denim jacket with this maxi, one of the Indian scarves (the air-con on planes can be brutal) along with my cowboy boots and prescription specs. My make-up's already packed away.

In my carry-on basket I've got noise cancelling headphones, my phone (with lots of downloaded podcasts), my Kobo ereader, purse and the book I'm currently reading. The makeup bag contains my rings & bangles which I'll put on once I've got through departures - my hip always sets the alarms off, I don't need to complicate matters even further. Jon's got the passports and the train and plane tickets are downloaded to our phones.  

Three pairs of earrings, six rings (the ones I always wear), the Malia Bee pendant and three bangles.

Makeup - mascara, eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, two eyeshadows and applicators, tweezers, pencil sharpener, blusher, eyeliner brush, two lipsticks (loving the relaunched Bourgeois range, my Grandma's favourite, exclusive to Superdrug) and Karma solid perfume.

Toiletries - once-a-day suncream x 3, magnifying mirror, decanted Nivea eye make-up remover & cotton wool pads, plasters, body & face soap, bamboo interdentals, toothbrushes, toothbrushes, razors, painkillers, shaving gel, bamboo cotton buds, moisturiser, solid shampoo & conditioner & deodorant.

Hair stuff! Grips, invisible bands, non-slip bands, Tangle Teezer, hairstick and Superdrug serum (as recommended by Nikki)

It all fits in here. Lynn & Brendan found me this Playclan wash bag over a decade ago, it's very well travelled.

I've been experimenting with headscarves and after 56 years I think I've finally mastered the suburban turban! Will you be embarrassed to be seen with me in this?, I asked Jon whilst prancing around the kitchen in my headgear along with a bikini and a pair of slippers, When's that ever stopped you? he replied.....

I wasn't planning on taking a sunhat but spotted this foldable straw hat in the clearance chazza priced up at £2 this morning and I've squeezed it into the bag.

 This photo doesn't do my nails justice, they're an eye-searingly neon shade of watermelon. It's the first time I've ever had a professional manicure and I feel like a proper lady! 

Lord Jon's taking five shirts - all charity shopped.

Six pairs of shorts, (two pairs of swimmers, four for normal wear), three tee shirts (one with long sleeves), Clarks' Desert Treks, Crocs slides, two hats and a rucksack. He's travelling in shorts, the cap, a long sleeved tee-shirt with a denim jacket and his desert boots.

I'm not sure if we'll be able to get William through customs! His Auntie Liz is looking after him if you're wondering, whilst our friends around the corner will be popping to help out with Jacob.

Where are we going? We've been to Athens, Pelion, Thassos, Rhodes (x4), Crete (x3), Kos, Corfu (x3) and Zakynthos, it's time to try somewhere new.  

See you on the other side!