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Do you like everything cut and dried?

(46 Posts)
Allira Sat 04-Apr-26 19:48:50

Cabbie21

It’s hard to know what to pack for temperatures ranging from 5 to potentially 17 degrees next week. There’s only so much I can manage as after the first night I am continuing by train.
I am assured there will be toilet paper and washing up liquid in the chalet. I have breakfast supplies and snacks and coins for the meter.

Let someone else worry about the washing up liquid.

If in doubt, pack a couple of toilet rolls; remember the Great Toilet Roll Shortage? It was a scam anyway!

butterandjam Sat 04-Apr-26 19:33:04

Cabbie21

Thanks. Yes, I have done all that and made notes, as I won’t have wifi for the first 36 hours.

don't you have a smart phone which provides a search engine?

VANECAM Sat 04-Apr-26 14:22:57

“I’m assured there will be toilet paper and washing up liquid”.

I don’t think you are assured at all. You might have been told that that is the case but I think you’re miles from being assured.

Chill out and trust your daughter to look after you.

Cabbie21 Sat 04-Apr-26 14:12:39

It’s hard to know what to pack for temperatures ranging from 5 to potentially 17 degrees next week. There’s only so much I can manage as after the first night I am continuing by train.
I am assured there will be toilet paper and washing up liquid in the chalet. I have breakfast supplies and snacks and coins for the meter.

TerriBull Sat 04-Apr-26 11:52:31

These days I tend to over think going away trips, imagining varying scenarios, I'm doing it already with a prospective journey down to Devon in the summer, wondering if petrol will be rationed and how that could affect travel.

I wasn't always like this, I can remember taking our children away when they were babies down to France via ferry, and the shuttle once the channel tunnel had come into existence. Then motoring way down south, sometimes into Italy with all the paraphernalia required and not really worrying too much about overnight stops on the way, although I did usually pre book those.

Lately, I also hate hanging around at airports, in spite of having done lots of long hauls in the past. I love it when get there, wherever that maybe, it's the getting there I hate.

Visgir1 Sat 04-Apr-26 11:36:11

I'm the opposite, I would love someone else to sort. I go away every year which my chums always somewhere in Europe. for a long weekend. But I'm the organiser.
Group of us off in June for a Hen weekend, it was me that sorted the flights, and transfers.
When we go away, I sort it...
Just once I would like someone to say, this is what's going on? just pack a bag.

Allira Sat 04-Apr-26 11:13:50

I had lists on the computer of what to take for a formal weekend, a casual weekend with friends, a week or two or a much longer trip visiting family overseas.
Since Covid and with both of us with mobility problems, I've gone off travelling but should make some kind of effort again.

V3ra Sat 04-Apr-26 11:10:00

Thankfully it was all ok, even though we nearly missed the flight going out and coming back because my DD and SiL are never able to get anywhere on time. 🙄

Family were joining us on holiday abroad one year and they did miss their flight: a combination of cutting it short and unexpected roadworks by the airport.
They were transferred on to a later flight but from a different airport, and had to travel there by train. (They needed to leave the car at the original airport so it would be there on their return).
All with a 9m old baby and heaps of luggage 🤦🏻

ViceVersa Sat 04-Apr-26 11:06:16

When it comes to holidays, I'm the organised - I research everything before and like to know it's all done and dusted. However, once we get there, I'm more relaxed and don't mind a bit of spontaneity.

Aveline Sat 04-Apr-26 11:00:51

If all the flight, accommodation and transfer details are in place I'm happy to go with the flow.

Fallingstar Sat 04-Apr-26 10:56:44

I totally get this. I need to make sure that all my boxes are ticked when planning anything. The thing is my DD and SiL are far more laid back so when they planned a holiday for us all with the GC a few years back I felt very much outside my comfort zone. Thankfully it was all ok, even though we nearly missed the flight going out and coming back because my DD and SiL are never able to get anywhere on time. 🙄

keepingquiet Sat 04-Apr-26 10:15:07

I know people like this- of course some planning has to happen but this sounds like either needing to be in control which stems from anxiety.

Maybe I am just too laid back but I think it is a counter balance to all the people I know (and many of them!) who fret over the smallest details.

I am going away soon with a group of women I know very well- the stressful thing for me will be listening to them stressing about every little thing!

I do have a plan though, which is just to either go off on my own for a while, zone out in my head, or drink a few glass of something alcoholic!

J52 Sat 04-Apr-26 10:11:18

I’m like this as well. I don’t like things left to chance at all, however, I do seem to be able to cope when things don’t go to plan or develop into a crisis.
Maybe it’s due to having a career where I had to be both strategic and operational. I love a list!

Humbertbear Sat 04-Apr-26 10:10:20

I go away with a friend and am much happier if I handle the booking.

Tenko Sat 04-Apr-26 10:09:15

No you’re not alone. I’m the holiday or trip organiser in our house and I’m used to being in control of things . Our AC have bought us several city breaks for big birthdays and Christmas. And I do feel out of sorts not being in control . But it’s such a lovely thing for them to do, and their taste regarding cities and hotels has been first class.

Rocketstop2 Sat 04-Apr-26 09:56:39

Yes, same..I like to be prepared too and have a plan of what I'm doing , what I need to take, how long it will take to reach places etc .
Oh yes and I'm an 'Overpacker' stuff for if it's hot, stuff for if it's cold, shoes in case it's wet, sandals in case it's hot, umbrella, jumpers, sun tops, need I go on? Well, you get the picture !

Elless Sat 04-Apr-26 09:53:41

I'm the same, I need definite plans and organisation. I'm unbearable if I don't have routine.

Witzend Sat 04-Apr-26 09:51:40

I do like to be prepared. We’re booked into a U.K. Airbnb in July, with dd1 and family, so as usual I will be making a massive list of what to take.
One essential item - since we once arrived at a holiday let with 2 loos but none at all - is loo paper! I was bursting and had to send dh straight out on a mission of mercy. Luckily there was a good old Co-op close by.

Cabbie21 Sat 04-Apr-26 09:43:41

Thanks. Yes, I have done all that and made notes, as I won’t have wifi for the first 36 hours.

Magenta8 Sat 04-Apr-26 09:36:43

You are certainly not alone. As I get older I find my fear of the unfamiliar gets worse. When I was younger I would quite happily take things as they come and not worry.

You could look up the weather forecast for the place or places you are visiting and you could even find the bus/train routes online.

Try to stop worrying. I hope you have a lovely time.

Cabbie21 Sat 04-Apr-26 09:28:53

I do. I have a trip coming up where the initial arrangements are in my daughter’s hands and I find myself worrying about the details. What do I need to take? ( it includes a self catering place for one night) Will I be warm enough? How far is the nearest bus stop?
Daughter is short on details, always has her car, knows the area well. I am moving on to a hotel the next day and not worried once I am there as I know what to expect. It’s the unknown that sets me off worrying. I’m sure I’m not the only one.