Entry for 5th November, 2007

Sometimes you read these surveys in magazines about the most stressful events that can happen in a person’s life. Change of job – divorce – moving house – these all feature highly in the lists. However, the surveys fail to mention by far the biggest stressor in modern life. I’m speaking of course of packing for the family holiday.
Left to my own devices my luggage would consist of a toothbrush, my wallet, and four nice paperbacks. To be absolutely fair, this might not be entirely adequate for a family of four, but on the other hand, my wife’s inventory runs to eighty-seven double-sided pages which require to be checked, double-checked and discussed in intricate detail.
Then, once everything is loaded (by me, in the pissing rain) the standard question for her to ask is “Have you left the red rucksack in an accessible place?". By which, of course, she is referring to the red rucksack that I packed first. At the back of the boot. Behind the double pram. Under all the other luggage.