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

In 1 week I'm going on holiday to France - near Nice I believe. I survived the scary business of ordering an airline ticket. And soon I'll be off to stay with a friend of mine in the warmth of the South of France.
This is where the first problem occurs. Warmth = Summer clothes. I haven't worn shorts in more years than I care to think (which since I'm not that old is a slightly bizarre thing to say) and so I have had to go out and buy an entire wardrobe of T-shirts and shorts etc. Secondly, upon trying on these Summer clothes I have discovered that my skin is about the same colour as dead chicken skin. This is not a pleasant sight. It also means that I will need to wear *lots* of sun cream.
Ah well, the trials and tribulations of going on Holiday. I expect there's an entry somewhere around here about it. If not I may just have to come up with something...