Still got shedloads of washing to do, dry overnight and pack first thing in the morning.

Very organised this time. Have borrowed a travel hairdryer, and I’ve still got my trusty car hair straighteners. I found my passport weeks ago so I didn’t have to do a last minute trip to Liverpool passport office the day before, and I’ve got a satnav that has Europe on it this time. Bonus.

I also have an unknown quantity of bottles of water my Mum brought down at the weekend. I say unknown, there’s actually between 6 and 10. Its not that I have a problem counting past 5 but I’ve refused to look in the carrier bag to check. While I have come to understand that my Mum’s fussing is because she loves me there it’s only so much debate over the correct amount of bottles of water to necessary for a trip to Sweden that one person can cope with.

Lets just assume there’s 6. Any more is a bonus.

I nipped up to Wigan last night to drop off Noel my hamster with his surrogate family, The Crooks. I say “nipped” but it was actually more like 4 hours and a BBQ. They’ve text already to say he’s boring because he’s not moved and just slept all day, but he’s getting on in hamster years so I’ve left instructions to poke him with a lolly stick come 10pm just to check he’s not died.

I did nearly wail though, saft as it is I’m just used to having him as company now, and just chatter to him in the evenings, and it’s just nice having someone to look after. Managed to hold back the tears though – I’ll have two weeks without him but no need to worry as he’ll be well looked after. I can’t be phoning up from Malmo just to see if he’s ok. He’ll have a lovely time himself having so many people fussing over him.

Just dawned on me…… I left him at my Auntie’s in what I thought was a perfect spot. On top of ideal sized piece of furniture, not in direct sunlight, not too warm, not too cold, no draughts….on what I now recollect is the HEATED HOSTESS TROLLEY. If you’re reading this Julie and John please don’t let anyone switch it on by accident. Don’t want my hamster slow cooked. His species may originate in the tropical temperatures of the gobi desert but himself he’s only from Wrexham.