Interesting priorities emerge as packing for an overseas holiday for a family of five
draws closer.
Mr Boozle is reaching for his bike riding gear as his first priority,
practically salivating at the thought
of tearing wildly down mountainsides in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon.
(Yes, we have travel insurance...
though I reckon there is a clause which prevents middle aged men hurting themselves
doing stupid things from making a claim)
Eldest of the Boozle offspring is working out which books will
give him the most hours of reading time
and how many we can put on an e-reader.
Middle Boozle child has been persuaded that his rock collection
is perhaps not needed,
which is more than I can say for the littlest,
who is, at this point in time, insisting on packing her maracas.
(As you do when you are five apparently)
My first packing priority,
even before knitting,
(Yes, let me repeat that:
Even. Before. Knitting)
is Jean Sibelius.
JS is a little bear that I bought from a Finnish kiosk in 1987
when I was an exchange student.
He is my travelling buddy.
My other travelling companions may fluctuate
but he is consistently by my side
(well, in my luggage)
He is a great companion.
Not too big, not too small.
Doesn't snore or fart or have toilet emergencies.
Doesn't complain about being snuck into hand luggage
rather than getting his own seat.
Doesn't whinge or demand lollies or constantly ask
"Are we there yet?
He has climbed the Eiffel Tower and walked up to the Colosseum.
He has seen St Paul's cathedral and the gondolas in Venice.
He has seen Barcelona and the Norwegian Fjords.
Indeed, he has backpacked around Greece
and Combi-vanned around Europe.
He has been to numerous family visits home,
sewing weekends,
hospital visits,
school reunions.
You name it.
And, as a true cliche, he gets his photo taken whenever he comes across a famous land mark.
He has been photographed with the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Big Ben.
Amongst our (still yet to be sorted) 2001 overseas photos,
he was with us every step of the way.
So Jean Sibelius is my first priority.
He is out and waiting patiently.
Now, onto my knitting...
3 comments:
Awww no wonder he's first on the list. Completely adorable!
Oh... you're so cute! Fancy packing you bear first. Love it. What a softie you are!
Oh JS is gorgeous, what a little adventure bug he is indeed. Have an awesome trip, i start planning a week out so i capture all the 'good underwear' for the children, you know. I pack so light, honestly, we've gone overseas as a family of 6 with one large dive bag, that's it, oh a bag in that bag to bring things home. I can only manage 4 children & 2 pieces of luggage, that way i don't lose anything or anyone. My trick is a huge shoulder bag which holds all 6 of our jackets or coats, as nothing is more annoying than a child who refuses to carry their own coat. So i do it, love Posie
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