To freedom and beyond

Welcome to my first post! No need for introductions, I'm getting straight in.

It has come to my attention that I am suffering from 'imminent holiday syndrome' - complete lack of concentration on anything other than our upcoming holiday. I find this happens to me a lot, although it differs from 'imminent holiday syndrome', to 'imminent whatever-happens-to-be-going-on-at-the-time syndrome'. It can be anything really; birthdays, weddings, nights out with the girls, hair appointments... I find myself consumed with details and unable to concentrate on anything else. This week, however, has topped all others. The reason? We are holidaying in England, the Peak District to be exact.

For those of you who don't know me, and I'll assume that is everybody for now, I don't do British holidays. Well, rarely anyway. The thing is, a holiday to me is sun, beach, swimming pool, eating and drinking, foreign languages etc. I understand baggage allowances, I know what you can and can't take on a plane in little bottles, I get airports, airport transfers, currency coversion, passport expiry, check in times and packing a week's worth of clothes into a suitcase that must weigh less than 25kg. These things make a holiday to me, it's the preparation and being in control that I thrive on, making lists and crossing tasks off. And yet I am thrown by this imposter of a holiday.

Now don't get me wrong, I cannot wait to get to this beautiful part of the world. I've done my research and am terribly excited about what we'll be getting up to. But it's the preparation that has wobbled me. There are simply no restrictions! We will be driving the four hour journey in my little Corsa, and staying in a lovely cottage with all the amenities you could ask for. I could literally take my entire wardrobe including 16 pairs of shoes, a picnic basket, a week's shopping, extra pillows, hair dryer and straighteners, my make-up kit... and there would still be ample room.

It is tempting to do all of this, but then would it really feel like a break? Or would it feel more like a house transplant; all of your belongings scattered around you but with a different front door? Part of what I love about holidays is the newness of your surroundings, the feeling of being away from it all. Could I really feel that if I had 18 different outfits to choose from every night and all of my luxuries at arms length? I'm not sure, so I have decided to treat this like any other holiday and only pack the essentials. Let's just hope the British weather doesn't let me down as 1 pair of trainers just might not cut it.

I'll keep you posted.