In the wee small hours of Tuesday morning I’ll be making my merry way back to the metropolis after over two blissful weeks back home.  As I come to the end of my first year in London I’ve decided now’s the time to bring my beloved hot wheels, Bette, with me for the ride.  For those who haven’t had the pleasure, Bette is my car and she is presently weighed down with rather a lot of my belongings in anticipation of the journey.

I used to think of myself as a brilliant packer.  However, as I have aged it’s something that has begun to bring out a bit of a beast in me when it comes to organising my life and putting things neatly into boxes.  Gone are the days of flying by the seat of my pants and packing an hour and a bit before the ferry or plane is about to depart.

Here are some things I have learned about myself from my most recent packing endeavours:

* I have been calculating the formula of number of hours per day x number of things to do all wrong.

* I have no idea how much crap I actually own.  I found, no word of a lie, around 50 nail polishes I didn’t even know were mine when I was clearing out the bathroom.  Why can’t I ever remember these things when I’m stalking the aisles of Superdrug or Boots?

* I am an emotional packer.  Maybe it’s a January thing but when I cast my mind back to this time last year I definitely recall the distant whine of tears.  All day yesterday I was sure I had this packing malarkey sussed out and sure as a hoop’s round come sunset the tears began to fall.  Everything seems so much more arduous at night and my pace slowed right down.

* In addition to the weeping I transform into a gremlin of grand tantrum proportions.  A truly horrible experience for all involved.

* I have no concept of the size of my car.  Embracing my inner hoarder I can’t bear to throw things out so I trick myself into thinking I drive a 4×4.  I do not.  I drive a Hyundai i20.  A more bijoux model!

That said, the optimist in me – (and she is in there) – believes that the drive itself will be a piece of cake.  Fingers, toes and everything else crossed this sentiment prevails!

Does anyone else struggle with packing for a big move?  Thank goodness I don’t have to do it too often!!

Pop back on Wednesday too for a celebration of my first year in the big smoke – where has the time gone?!

Til then, if you see Bette and I winding our way from Holyhead on Tuesday give us a toot!

xx