I couldn’t put it off any longer this weekend I had to flash the plastic and buy 10 months worth of hairspray, conditioner, moisturiser, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc etc etc……. the list went on and on and on.

At the supermarket I chickened out off my original plan; the no shampoo / conditioner scenario and hedged my bets buying both apple cider vinegar / bicarb soda and the shampoo / conditioner.  I figure that way if the ‘no poo‘ movement is a load of BS then I won’t be stuck stealing other peoples product for 10 months.  My second dilemma occurred when the pharmacy was sold out of my favourite moisturiser….. so I have bought a whole 100mls of Rose Hip oil, a 22ml bottle is only half empty after 17 months in Saudi Arabia so I figure 100mls should just about cover it or rather me for 10 months!!!

In Myers I ummmed and arrrdd over fake tan, finally deciding that I probably wouldn’t need it.  Hair dye, I’ve taken 2x emergency bottles.  In Dusk I bought far to many cakes of yummy smelly soap and then walking past a discount pharmacy I saw the razors, I haven’t bought razors for years I usually pinch Will’s but don’t tell him!!!  So I got some razors, pretty pink ones with moisturising strips!!

Finally I walked into T2, possibly one of my favourite places, all those little drawers full of teas, it always amazes me.  I don’t even like tea that much to drink but I love the concept, the thought of a little teapot on my desk and a little Chinese tea cup to sip from……. its so relaxing.  Then I start thinking, green tea is probably not a good idea in practice, green tea is a diuretic and there is no toilet in the office building.  This means that you have to go the main building to pee, which means I have to put on all my outside gear including boots and if the wind suddenly increases or the snow suddenly starts I can’t go outside even with my gear on and so I might find myself peeing in a bottle in my office………. On that thought I probably need to make sure there is a change of clothes in my office because I am not good at peeing in a bottle and usually pee myself instead!!!!  So the upshot of this little mental debate in the middle of T2 is the purchase of a small bag of budda’s tears to enjoy in the common room after dinner when the comforts of a flushing toilet are close at hand.

Then home to finally pack, in goes 1000 count cotton sheets, a big purple mohair blanket and a fluffy pair of pillows with everything precious packed between.  Photo’s of my new nephew, fur-children and husband.  One half of a pair of Riedel sauvignon blanc glasses so that I can share a glass of wine with the hubby on a Friday night and the all important salami skins.

I did ponder as I packed the extent of what I considered essential supplies for a 10 month journey, compared to what was required for survival.  It is a first world dilemma, consumerism.  I consume way more then I need; more food, more resources, more space.  Is that a bad thing?  I don’t know I guess I will tell you after the no poo challenge……..