Am in Quorn in Leicestershire for the weekend visiting my sister Judith and bro in law, Wes. I am taking a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle with me for us to do - daughter Helen bought it for me as a humurous Christmas pressie and it has pictures of various scenes from the show and looks great fun. Cannot wait to put Dame Maggie together.
Sorting out the nut and bolts of my Australia trip which seems to be approaching with scary speed. Butterflies in tummy and a churning excitement which I know will only go away once I am checked in and at airport. Went online to get travel insurance and it seems that a few companies will not insure me for the length of time I am away if I am over 65 which I will be in a week or two. Perhaps they think that I am going to keel over one I reach this great age. Finally tracked down a company which will also cover me for our trip to Vanuatu and with cancellation cover, medical expenses and lost baggage etc, £112 which I thought was pretty good as I am away for six weeks. So that ticked off my list.
Next up am pulling out summer clothes and deciding what to take and what new stuff I need. I will not be going with biggest suitcase ever which I did last time, as not only was it cumbersome and heavy, but I found I only wore about half the stuff I brought with me. I plan to take linen and cotton stuff, trousers and shorts, loads of tops, a jacket, leggings, perhaps a nice dress and a couple of light skirts, kaftans, swimming stuff and that is it. I know full well I will end up wearing the same crop trousers and t-shirt all the time....
Then money. I have an Australian dollar card from Thomas Cook which I will load up before I go. Then of course, I can draw my pension while over there - the joys of ATM - and I have a clear credit card to go as well, so I am sorted. I am going to apply for a new Marks & Spencer card this week - 15 months interest free purchases and vouchers as well, so if I can get one of those, then I will use and clear on return home. All this shifting around of money and paying off bills etc in the last few weeks is a tad wearying but I would prefer to travel with an easy mind and know my financial status down to the last penny. I reckon I have enough money to pay for one, perhaps two more trips, and then that is it. Either Kathryn pays for me to visit after that or I spend my hols at Clacton. .......
Will be back on Monday so hope you all have a great weekend.
