Vicarage life was particularly fulltime before half term – one of those frantic seasons that hit you from time to time in ministry. The Vicar was out of the house more than in and even his days off seemed to include aspects of work.
So it was with a great sense of relief that we began our half term holiday with a wedding, followed by a stay with friends – another clergy family who have recently moved to Essex.
When the Vicar family go away I usually write a list of essential activities to be completed and items to be packed before departure. The failure to do this was my first mistake.
A few miles from home I realised that we’d forgotten sleeping bags for the children. These were needed for our stay with our friends. From the wedding reception we called the EssexRectors and they said they could easily find other bedding. Phew.
One lovely wedding and reception later we headed off to Essex, still in our wedding finery, arriving in time for a late dinner. The Vicar unpacked the bags. ‘But where’s your stuff, Vicar’s Wife?’
Then it dawned on me. The pink bag, with all my favourite clothes packed for holiday, was still on our bed at home. Crippled by my wedding shoes I’d come downstairs with only a few lighter items, meaning to ask the Vicar to fetch my bag…
Mrs EssexRector very kindly took me to a localish Tescos for a forage for emergency knickers, socks, jeans and top. I needed something to wear other than my smart but not exactly comfy wedding outfit.
It was only the next day that we realised that the Vicar too had forgotten his socks, and the Joker (having packed his own bag without supervision) had come away with trousers and t-shirts but no underwear. We spent more time shopping this holiday than we were intending.
Don’t let me pack for holiday without a list ever ever ever again.
The Vicar's Wife 
LOL! We did exactly that with J’s clothes last autumn half term and ended up in Asda buying them – it was cheaper than driving home! J now packs and puts his bag in the car/caravan himself because he no longer trusts his Mum! Glad you had a good time despite the lack of clothes.
Oops! Sounds like you needed that holiday. Hope the next half term isn’t quite so manic.
Can’t see that Adam and Eve ever had this problem before the fall..
Just spent 10 mins with husband writing packing list for upcoming holiday. Note to self, emulate sister in many things but not in packing!! Tee-hee!
Has anyone seen my socks?
Tee hee – always encouraging to know that Vicars (and wives, and children) are much the same the world over…
Hope your holiday was good.
*Written by Icklesis’ Husband* … … …
She may well have written a list … but it’s 5 times longer than the holiday!!!
x
You forgot the bit about contorting yourself across the Tesco checkout to get the security tags taken out!!
Hi all. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Kate – you’re right – checking out tagged clothes you’re wearing is definitely a challenge, which the Tesco staff rose to manfully.
I also forgot to mention that at the beginning of the week before half term the Vicar left all his devotional material (bible, journal, books) at the retreat centre he’d gone to. It’s still over there in deepest Staffordshire waiting for someone to head in this direction.
We’ve managed not to forget anything since the holiday tho’. So far.
Hi Amanda – great to know we’re not the only ones who leave clothes behind, – just wish our woodpile was as neat and organised as yours! Coffee mornings sound great – my weeks task is mice in the toddler group toy cupboard!