The time has come. It’s the Sunday before I leave for India and today is packing day. I am lucky in as much as by packing today Nige will bring my bag over to the UK by car when he drives over on Thursday which will save me attempting to get it to our UK home by Eurostar and tube via work on Monday. The downside is that I have to think ahead and decide today what to take with no option to amend or change later. Oh well, as long as I have Chapstick and a cork screw, what else do I need?

I tipped everything I thought I might need from the drawers onto the spare bed. I then filtered onto the floor, trying desperately to remember what was essential last time and what I carted around and did not wear. I’m definitely taking less stuff. I will have to carry the thing and I have distant memories of having to drag the bag down stairs and along hotel corridors as it was so bleeding heavy. I’m not falling for that again. So that’s it!

Bella Cat supervised the packing

I think she approved, although I think if I left the bag open she would sneak in.