Tuesday, September 02, 2014

Going, going...


This year we've been away an unusual number of times: visiting Daughter 2 in London, meeting up with the extended family in the Lake District, visiting my aunt in Norfolk, house-swapping in York and now we're about to go to, and round, Switzerland on a train.

This is all very nice and fortunate but it's a bit exhausting - having five times to leave the house all pristine for the catsitters, with updated instructions about the idiosyncrasies of the house and the cat, and to pack at the same time. But nowadays I also have to leave my babies behind! The other holidays have all been short ones but this time we'll be away for two and a half weeks. I'm going to see them tomorrow; on Thursday we'll have to clean and pack; on Friday we're off to Daughter 2's for the weekend; and then we're off on our train journey on Monday. We return to London two weeks on Monday and then get back here on the Tuesday so that's nearly three weeks without the little ones. How will I survive?

I have a list of things to do tomorrow and Thursday:

Phone Grace about Zumba.
See grandchildren.
Lay out clean bedding so that the catsitters can change their bedding mid-holiday.
Take stuff to charity shop.
Update instructions.
Organise cards for various family events.
Plant plants I bought at Breezy Knees.
Clean house.
Pack.

Actually, that's not as bad as I thought it would be.

I've already crossed off:

Cut grass (actually Mr L did that).
Buy pants and socks (I didn't have enough to last out).
Buy jacket that actually keeps out the rain (at least, let's hope it does).
Do ironing.
Go to Morag's.

Then of course there's the extra thing that I remembered earlier today while having coffee with friends and told myself to add to the list when I got home.

If only I could remember what it was... .

We will be going along a railway line which did this on August 13. The travel company says it got mended within three days. I'm not convinced that three days was enough to mend it sufficiently. So if this is the last blog post, you'll  know why... .

16 comments:

  1. Mm, I could see where a small frisson of unease might rise to the surface. Have a lovely time. The babies will be fine. Haven't seen mine since July!

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  2. Have fun! that sounds like a wonderful trip, please post lots of alpy photos

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  3. Have a lovely time! Sounds like a very interesting trip.

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  4. Ooh, I don't like the look of that derailed train! I hope you have a lovely trip.

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  5. Bon voyage. I'm sure it will be a wonderful holiday with no unplanned, erm, dangling.

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  6. Yipes -- that derailed train is a little worrisome! You've got a big list there -- so no time to be reading these comments. Now that you're back from your trip ... I hope you had a wonderful time and I want to hear all about it. (Oh, and your trip will overlap my trip so, see you in Oct!)

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  7. Anonymous3:41 pm

    Have you thought tht we shall miss you too?

    Don't think about the derailing, concentrate on lovely things. And have a marvellous time!

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  8. OMG, I don't think I would be going on that rail line at all! But that's just me - hope you have a great trip and return safely to blog another day!

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  9. Ooh - are you going with Great Rail? If so, I am EXTREMELY jealous. I read their brochures constantly.

    Even if not Great Rail, a trip round Switzerland sounds amazing.

    Hope you have a wonderful time x

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  10. Yikes! Wishing you safe travels. I LOVE rail travel!

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  11. You should be thinking positive thoughts Isabelle! No doom and gloom allowed...Hope you have a lovely time in Switzerland!

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  12. That all sounds very exciting. What a lot of news and pictures you will have when you return. I expect you will be sent regular bulletins about the grandchildren but now that I have one of my own, who I miss after 24 hours, I do see what you mean.

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  13. AAAAACK! That's not nice, to leave us with a photo like that.... you must post again IMMEDIATELY and let us know you are okay! I feel like Lynley's photo looks right now.

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  14. Mercy! May all be well. That photo is a bit disturbing. But may all go well and you enjoy your travels.

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  15. Gosh , that looks exciting ! Though , with any luck , it won't be quite THAT exciting !
    You'll be able send loads of post cards to the grandchildren , who'll be delighted to see you back again soon ... especially if you've learned to yodel .

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  16. Have a wonderful time Isabelle....and take lots of pics.x

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