I took a call from a bibliophile friend this evening, duration approximately 1 hour, as per usual. He thought he'd get me before I became "busy packing tomorrow." Note the "he" element, for he has no idea how much organisation this involves; but he's a man. Today I started a list in a Word doc of all the things I need to pack. No surprises there, for I scheduled my Hay Festival events on a spreadsheet for 2008 and 2009. Well you have to avoid clashes and make sure of logistics, don't you? In 2008 I had an ailing cat to consider and in 2009 I had stewarding shifts to work around.
But back to this year's Theakstons Old Peculier Harrogate Crime Writing Festival - which is missing an apostrophe, if you ask me. (They must have been well-stewed when the brew finally reached its peak on taste...) I travel up by train on Thursday, perhaps later than ideal, but I aimed to keep the costs down. Thus I will arrive late for the opening party. But this still involves selecting the right clothes, ironing and packing as appropriate. Before the latter 2/3 of that lot there's a necessary haircut to curb unruly locks as the short hair grows back in frenzied format. This is to be necessarily followed by a whisper of supermarket shopping as I need to ensure food on plate before I depart and food on plate when I return late on Sunday night. (Yes, it's a long journey.) I might even do a bit of baking tomorrow, if I have the chance before departure: I like to treat my quiz team to something unexpected, (tradition started last year). And I've just discovered a recipe for a really good looking and tasting seasonal cake, as it happens.
Tonight I am in "Where are my batteries?" flow in relation to my camera. And "Where the hell are Brian McGilloway's first two novels?" - I still can't find them! What shall I wear and what will I allow to crease in the suitcase? It's all too much.
So, yes, in answer to him, I am not yet in panic mode and overly busy. But tomorrow may set that world alight. I am grateful for the overnight reprieve and the chat we had tonight.
What to wear, what not to wear and what is the weather forecast as we creep closer? How best to shield my books for signing from rain? (As opposed to finding them drenched and singing in the rain...) Where is my pocket torch? (Queries on relevance by private email only as this could effect the end result of the quiz.)
Well, I am heading out soon, so this is the last post until next week. Enjoy your reading, all!
I will report back from Monday 27, July. Have fun! Even it's through ironing.
I do hope so, Katherine.
Posted by: cfr | 29 July 2009 at 09:55
Missed being there this year and catching up! Maybe next time??
Posted by: Katherine Howell | 29 July 2009 at 09:46
A thank you for your blog is at http://reactionstoreading.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/i-keep-coming-back-for-more/
Posted by: Bernadette | 25 July 2009 at 04:37
Ha ha! Hilarious post. I never spend more than 30 mins packing (from first thought to final sit-on-and-squeeze shut of suitcase). Therefore always have far too many of wrong things and never the right things when I am away - a bit scary when away for 2 weeks...oh well, so long as I pack sufficient books....
Posted by: Maxine | 23 July 2009 at 22:13
Cheeky!
Well, the hair most horrid has now been tamed and I can look forward to an afetrnoon of baking...
Posted by: cfr | 22 July 2009 at 12:35
Yes, well - I know you too well! Enjoy harrogate :-)
Posted by: Chris | 22 July 2009 at 11:18