How To Travel Light

It was going to be a romantic weekend and she’d packed all she needed – hadn’t she?

- Raymond Jamieson

It’s Friday afternoon and we’re flying to Paris to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Time to pack.

A weekend is only two days. No problem. I repeat this twice, out loud, as I climb onto a chair to get the suitcase down from the top of the wardrobe.

My cat, Bella, watches lazily from the duvet. It’s only when I open the case that she shows any interest. She’s inside before I can stop her, giving me her ‘don’t you dare disturb me’ look.

So, I put everything on the bed first. Let her enjoy herself. My neighbour is feeding her tomorrow, which she won’t like, so I’ll keep her happy today.

Now for the packing. Shoes first. My new black boots, of course. And I’ll need something smart, in case we go out to dinner somewhere posh. My stilettos. And something more bohemian. Our hotel is on the Left Bank. Carl and I will be able to walk to the fabulous cafes around Boulevard Saint-Michel, then onto ÎIe de la Cité and Notre-Dame. Take in the neighbourhood – the artists along the Seine, quirky eateries, classy boutiques. That means good walking shoes. Don’t want to get blisters, or those stilettos will kill me. It won’t be easy fitting them in, but a girl can’t have too many shoes.