h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm going on a camping holiday tomorrow with little . Earlier today, I found I should have been there today, but there was no chance of my getting there in time, so I phoned to say I would arrive early tomorrow morning - far learlier than I had intended arriving.

I have massive resistance to packing. I've done little and the main tenty things, but I haven't yet packed any clothes. PUtting the top box on the car and hefting the canvas tent isn't easy and would be so much easier if I had someone else to help. I feel miserable and tearful. I know that when I get there, and I've put the tent up and got everything in place, I'll feel better. Actually, I don't tend to start to feel better until a couple of days into the holiday. Generally, all I want to do is sleep.

I feel bad about it because I know little gets an awful lot out of camping and that it's great for him. There are lots of great activities and loads of other children to play with, plus the opportunity to learn new skills. For the last two camps, he's wanted to stay up far longer than I've wanted to, so I've felt I had to stay up until he was ready to go to bed. I feel like a bad mother and very selfish - and very much on my own.

Maybe I'll use the opportunity once I'm there to do some serious journalling. I don't have to do any of the activities until I"m ready to join in.

Don't forget your headtorch and gerber.

I've packed a head torch, but I've no idea what a gerber is!

I don't know what it is either.

Good luck in your camping holiday, Zarq!

http://ledmuseum.thefire.us/second/lx3.htm - is this it?

Thanks, Gnomon!

It's 11.30pm and I'm just finishing putting stuff in the car. It rained earlier and I spent the time packing my clothes. For once, I may not have packed too much. Depends on the weather, of course - if it's really cold, I may not have packed enough.

http://www.kitbag.com.au/category584_1.htm is what I had in mind.

Oh, a Leatherman! I know what that is!

We're going away tomorrow, but we resisted the temptation to pack today. We'll do it when we get up.

I'm so happy that you and young fishie have found a way to beat the heat.

I hope you have a wonderful time

AV

Thank you, AV.

*waves to Gnomon and DMT*

I finally got to bed at 00:30am last night and it's just before 6am now. I still haven't finished packing and I need to be away by 7am. I'm sure it will be just fine once I'm there.

Gerber is the German word for tanner. Is there a connection with the name "leatherman"?

I know just how you feel. I hope by the time you can read this you have had a lovely holiday with little Even if you are not refreshed he will be happy

As for being << a bad mother and very selfish - and very much on my own.>> that is the tiredness talking. No-one could think that of you. We have corresponded enough for me to know you put him first in everything, which is probably why you are so tired.

Very much on your own, well you don't have to be single for that to happen. I have had two husbands and still felt like that. Everything left to me (being good at it is a big mistake!!) and like you a few days before I felt remotely like it was a holiday.

We haven't had one for years, since the boys left, and I can't say I am sorry. I always needed another holiday when I got back to get over the first one

I hope you had a good time. I will contact you privately when you get back as there is something I want to ask you, and here is not the place!

Oh, and I know it isn't the same thing, but you are not quite alone - we are here, and you are welcome to email me any time and have a whinge, rant , let off or whatever!!



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