My family holiday packing checklist - download it here!
Ah, La Belle France
We’re off on our travels!
I’m off to Brittany with my lovely family (and a new Honda CR-V that we’re test driving) for two weeks of sunshine, beaches and seafood (hopefully!). I’ve been a bit poorly, which unfortunately coincided with the Mr being on duty, but my big strapping boys, both now taller than me but still the givers of the best hugs, have stepped up, cooked dinner, made tea, mowed the lawn and generally looked after me. They’re looking forward to beach days, lie ins, moules et frites, no exams, no revision… I’m excited for cheese, French markets (napkins, tablecloths and tablewear on my list, as well as the food!), gentle walks into town for fresh baguettes and pains au chocolat, lazy restaurant dinners, discovering local wine, persuading someone to visit the odd Chateau with me, and yes, maybe a dip in the sea. I’m exhausted and happy and excited all at the same time. Also secretly hoping that this won’t be our last holiday together - just the four of us (when is it that they decide holidaying with the parentals is no longer the done thing?). Got my hair done too!
Talking of holidays, last week I had a great girly chat with lovely Jenni from NonStopMama who was interviewing me for a podcast. We got talking about all things travel related and I told her about my packing spreadsheet. I know, nerdy right? I have a spreadsheet, which I print out every time I’m about to go away and tick things off as they go into the suitcase. Okay, so it sounds a bit over the top but when you’re rushing to catch an early flight and your mind is all over the place, it’s nice to have a list so you don’t sail off down the M25 towards the airport with your toothbrush still sitting by the sink and your carefully chosen bikinis still lying on your bed. It happens, people.
Jenni was quite interested in my spreadsheet, so I thought you might be too. I’ve made it into a pdf so it’s now easy to download, then print out. I’ve left some room for extra stuff if you want to amend it, but I’d love it to be a work in progress, so if you think I’ve missed anything vitally important, do let me know, and we’ll keep updating it.
PS: Don’t forget your travel insurance. Find out more about family travel insurance from Debenhams here!
Anyway, you know me: I’m sure I’ll nab a bit of free wifi along the way and pop back and say hi. You can follow our travels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, otherwise, enjoy the sunshine and I’ll see you very soon!
www.etsplc.com
Wow that’s a long list but you forgot the tea-bags!! I never go abroad without my tea-bags….usually at least a couple of boxes for the ex-pats I am visiting… but as a bit of a tea-bag myself I need my morning cuppa to get me through the day 🙂
Oh WOW - just saw this (which is proof enough that I need your organisation skills!!!). FANTASTIC!!!! I will go link to RIGHT NOW on the blog, and will pop up podcast up live asap! HAPPY, FABULOUS VACANCES!!! (Is there an ‘S’ on the end of that, afterall? Enjoy all that wine and cheese!!! YUMZA!!!) XXXX
Thanks Jen! Can’t wait to hear the podcast 🙂
Oh and hope you are feeling better x
Aww thanks. You are lovely x
Great idea Becky! I write lists as I would definitely forget something - never thought to just do a spreadsheet that could be updated etc each time.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy those moules frites!!
Ah thanks! Really looking forward to it - plus I’m test driving the list so we’ll see what I’ve forgotten!