Menobrationary; early preps

Regular readers will have noted (maybe) the mention of my planned travel to the Great Down Under Parts. Time is racing on and I need to start focusing more seriuosly on organisation.

To be honest, it has all seemed a bit distant. My old self would have been all set by three months out. However, the broken wrist has had some kind of subtle, very deep effect that appears to have brought on a level of 'cannot be bothered'. Not laziness - more the sense of age taking a toll and more than previous effort required to make the trip.

Going for two months means very careful planning for packing. I am a travel light chicky babe. Cabin baggage only. Or at least, that has been the case for quite some years now.

This trip may challenge that. Not because of the length of time - I am a keen wash'n'wear traveller. However, during this time, I shall have a week of discourses to attend at the Sydney Ashram of Chinmaya Mission for which saris and salwar-kameez will be necessary. These will also be needed for two wedding functions that are to take place in May. It is suprising how I can mix and match, though, creating multiple outfits from only six separate pieces. Anyway, that part of planning needs to get started now as it will require packs and unpacks until I have the balance I want.

Assuming cabin baggage can be maintained, the next part is the second bag I will be permitted on my Etihad ticket. My old faithful, the orange tote, has reached it's use-by date - and is no longer secure either. Without being able to voice it - perhaps not even realsing it was bothering me - I was shopping with Mac2 last week when my eyes fell upon a certain bag.

Not at all my colour, it was the design and capacity which attracted. Investigation reassured me that this would work well. Mac2 had been pestering me for what I wanted for my 60th b'day (also taking place when am away) and I knew straight away this was going to fill a gap I hadn't realised I had. Mac2, being the shopper she is, determined that we were to look at at least two if not three other establishments as there must surely be something rather more stylish (to her eyes)... but in the end, nothing matched the functionality of that serendipitous find.

Suddenly, I was the proud owner of a swish, albeit flesh-coloured, holdall style of bag that will make my travel packing arrangement just that wee bit more appealing - I might even say exciting!!! Thanks sis.