A Week Away

Simon and Joan Turner had been married for five years but had known each other ever since primary school. They had even attended the same university, although they were taking different degree courses.

With hard work and determination, Simon and Joan had saved up to buy a home of their own. Thanks to one of Simon's friends they heard about a house that was up for sale from the executor of his parent’s estate. He wanted a quick sale so he could wrap up the estate and move abroad. 

Due to the early demise of his father, Simon was now running the family pluming business while Joan worked as head of R&D for a small company in a nearby town.

Up until now, they had not entertained taking a holiday as they were both busy at work and in getting their new house refurbished in the way they wanted it.

One day, out of the blue a couple in their estate had asked Simon and Joan around for a meal. Most of those on this estate were quite a bit older than either couple, so this was a way of getting to know their neighbours, Keith and Lauren.

As soon as they had entered Lauren’s house Joan sensed that there was more to this invitation than just getting to know them. Joan noticed that Lauren was eyeing up her Simon. As the evening went on and the wine flowed Joan sensed that Lauren had designs on Simon but more worrying to Joan was that Keith was not stopping her.

Although Keith was in charge of cooking the meal and spent much of his time in the kitchen, once the meal was underway he was in their company but was ignoring his wife’s antics.

As the meal drew to an end Lauren made her move for Simon but Joan was having none of it and pulled him away and headed for the door. Keith realised things had gone wrong and held his wife back but she broke free leaving him holding what was left of her little black dress. Being completely naked didn’t stop Lauren running across the room and calling out for Simon. As she reached the door Joan slammed it in Lauren’s face.

It had been a short walk back to Simon and Joan's house. Joan had limited her drinking during the meal but she noticed that both Simon and Lauren had not. Joan was sure that there had been an ulterior motive for them being invited around for dinner but that was all over now.

Joan shepherded Simon into their house and closed the door behind them. With Simon settled in his armchair Joan returned to the front door and ensured that it was locked and bolted. This door was not being opened again tonight, not for anyone.

Joan went into the kitchen and made the two of them their mugs of hot chocolate and brought them through and placed them on the small tables beside their chairs.

Joan I’m sorry for spoiling your night.

No, you didn't my love.

They drank their hot drinks and then made their way up the stairs to bed. Simon was in no fit state to do anything except sleep.

Over breakfast Simon had come up with an idea.

Joan. How about us going away on holiday for a week or two?

Are you serious?

Yes. You have a break coming up between projects and I’m sure I could move things around so I could take a couple of weeks off. How about it?

Joan realised that she had a window of opportunity. Her team had just finished an R&D project and there was a two week window before the next project was scheduled to begin.

Simon had been working long hours trying to make a success of the plumbing business he had taken charge of after his father’s untimely death a year after Joan and he had married. Things were starting to ease down to where he could take time off but he never found the time to do so.

Joan thought about it. Yes, it would be great to get away. This last project had been very tiring and she really did need to get away for a while. But where would they go?

Simon it’s all very well but where would we go? Neither of us has a valid passport.

He hadn’t thought about that. They had always said that they would leave getting their passports renewed until they needed them. It was now that he realised that there was no way they could get passports in the next ten days.

Ah. We will have to stay in this country then, Simon said.

What’s wrong with that? Remember the camping holidays we had in the Scouts when we went up to the Snowdonia National Park and spend a week under canvas? Joan reminisced.

You’re saying we should go camping?

Chapter 2 - No More

Why not go camping. It’ll be fun, Joan said, excitedly.

We haven’t got the right clothes or any camping equipment, Simon stated.

Joan was not being put off by a lake of things they would need. After all, if they had gone to some beach they would have needed all sorts of new clothes for the hot temperatures they would be moving into.

Well, there’s a camping store in the estate where I work, Joan stated, before Simon could reply.

It appeared that Joan had made up her mind so Simon would just go along with it. It would be an adventure and take them back to their teenage years in the Scouts.

Where should we go? he asked.

I haven’t been to Scotland. How about we go there? Joan replied.

You mean the Scottish Highlands?

Yes. John said they are beautiful at this time of year, Joan said.

Simon thought for a minute. His parents had been there some years ago and loved their time there driving around the mountains and glens.

OK. Was all Simon said.

The decision had been made.

On the Tuesday lunch break, Joan walked around the trading estate to the shop which dealt in outdoor clothing and camping equipment. It was like an Aladdin's cave. She was glad that Simon wasn't with her or he would be buying everything in sight. After she had been up and down the isles a man came over to her and offered her help.

Can I help you? he asked.

I’m just looking. My husband and I are going on a camping and trekking holiday in the Scottish Highlands but we haven’t got the clothing or equipment, she said.

Have either of you been camping or trekking before? he asked.

Yes, when we were both in the Scouts we went camping a couple of years and the last year we went to the Snowdonia National Park for a week.

Ah good. You will understand what you will need, that makes my job much easier I won’t have to explain everything to you, he said, with a smile.

Where do you want to start, clothing or equipment?

I think clothing. Joan smile at him.

A very good idea. It is very important to get the correct protection. The weather in the Highlands can change in an instance. One minute the sun is shining and you are walking along in a T-shirt and the next the mists arrive together with a drop in temperature to neigh on freezing, he informed her.

Joan remembered this when they were climbing Snowdon. They had reached the top and the sun was shining but as they started to descend to their campsite they had to walk through a mist cloud. They were all very cold and a bit frightened as they could hardly see where they were putting their feet.

I know that this may seem silly but I believe in starting at the bottom, he said.

Joan gave him a look. She had been walking in front of him towards the clothing area and thought his remark was aimed at her.

Here we are. What size shoes do you take? he asked as he stopped by the racks of walking shoes and boots.

Now Joan realised what he was talking about. Start with the shoes and work your way up to your head. She now relaxed.

There was a large selection of walking shoes but he was very patient with her as she worked her way through a dozen pairs. He had advised her to put on a pair of thick socks before she tried on the shoes.

He had also told her that she should be wearing these socks if they were trekking a long distance across rough ground. Eventually, Joan decided on one pair.

You have chosen well. These are the best we supply and most expensive, that is why I let you loose to choose them yourself.

Thank you. I’m not worried about the cost as long as they do the job.

It was then she looked at her watch, it was 1:47. She had to be back at work by 2:00.

Oh I’m sorry I’ve got to fly or I’ll be late back from lunch.

What do you want me to do with these shoes and the socks? he said, not wanting to lose a sale.

Can you put them to one side and I'll be back tomorrow lunchtime, Joan asked as they walked towards the shop's entrance.

No trouble.

I work at unit 14, see you tomorrow, Joan informed him so he would realise that she was not a time waster. With that Joan walked quickly away and headed back to work.

The shop assistant wondered if he would see her again, especially after his slip of the tongue about starting at her bottom. ‘She had a great ass’. He returned to the counter and placed the shoes and socks on one of the shelves under the counter and placed a note on them that he was to be called if the lady called in again tomorrow.

That evening Joan told Simon about her first adventure into the shopping for her shoes.

They both had a laugh about the shop assistant saying he would start at the bottom.

It's a great shop, Simon. We could get everything we need from there, Joan said.

I’ll see what I can do. I’m not always around that area. It’s a bit out of my way.

The next day Joan returned to the camping store and found the assistant waiting for her, it was as if she was his only customer of the day.

How can I help you today? he asked.

You still have my shoes and socks?

Yes, they are behind the counter waiting for you.

Good, let's get started I don't want to be back late to work two days in a row.

What can I show you today? he asked.

I need a backpack.

Right, come this way, he said.

This time he led the way. He didn't want to get sidetracked watching her as she walked ahead of him. He made that mistake yesterday. Joan followed his directions and they were soon standing among many backpacks of all descriptions and sizes.

Can I get this right, both you and your partner will be carrying everything you will need for the weeks’ trek? he asked.

Yes. My husband will be carrying the tent, as well as what he needs. We will be carrying the food between us. Joan said.

Good. I assume that you will be carrying your own sleeping bag.

Joan thought about that and realised she would.

Yes and Simon said we should have one of those foam mats you can roll up and lay under the sleeping bag at night, Joan said.

In that case, you will need a decent sized backpack as I assume your husband will be getting a large one.

So do I, Joan said, with a smile.

He showed Joan an OEX Vallo 70+10 Backpack but they both agreed that this was too big for Joan but it might be ideal for her husband.

He moved to his left and picked off another backpack and showed it to Joan.

This is a Hi Gear Nepal 65 Backpack, it may be a little large for you but it will allow you to pack all the little extras a lady may need,

Can I try it on?

Yes, I’ll just adjust the straps so you can get your arms through the shoulder straps,

He loosened the straps so there was room for Joan to get her arms them through the straps.

Joan stood with her back to him as he lifted the backpack up. Joan slid her hands into the straps as he ensured the straps went over her shoulders.

Now I will need to adjust these straps so the pack sits properly on your back.

He showed Joan how to adjust the straps and by moving the pack he was soon able to get it sitting against her back and adjusted the hip belt so that she got the correct lumbar support.

Once Joan was happy with its fit she took it off her back and then started to ferrets around in the various pockets and the main cargo area.

Yes, I’ll take this one and my shoes and socks today, Joan said.

Looking at her watch she saw that it was 1:30 so she had plenty of time to complete this transaction, she’d be back tomorrow for more.

Simon was lucky, during the week he was called to a nearby town and on the way he noticed an outdoors shop. He decided he would call in on his way home. But his day didn’t go quite as planned so he was running late. By the time he got to the shop, it was about to close but Simon managed to persuade him to remain open for a little longer.

It was worth the shopkeepers while as an hour later when Simon left, his sales total for the day had shot up by £500. For Simon it was like Christmas all over again. When he got home and unpacked his van he spread his shopping out all over the floor of the lounge.

Firstly Joan was annoyed at all the money he had spent but then realised that it could work to her advantage. He wouldn’t be able to say anything when she brought all her shopping back on Saturday.

Joan sat and watched as Simon unpacked each and every item. He showed her each one and explained what it was for. As he came to the end of his shopping she noticed that he had pushed one of the packages away from him under the armchair. What was he hiding?

Simon what is that? she asked, pointing to the disappearing package.

Nothing my love,

Come on, you said no secrets.

Oh it’s just something I have always wanted and it will come in really useful, honest, he said.

Then show me it.

Simon handed over the package and watched as Joan opened it. The look on her face was a shock to him, just as much as it had been to Joan when she saw what he had brought. It was a sheath-knife and scabbard.

I thought these were against the law, Joan said.

Not that one. The blade is not quite long enough to be illegal.

I don’t like it.

We might well need it out in the wilderness, Simon tried to reassure her.

Joan was not at all happy at Simon carrying such a knife. To her it was a dangerous weapon.

She handed it back to him and told him to hide it away. She didn’t want to see it ever again.

By the following Sunday, they had everything they would need but Simon again warned Joan that they would need to carry all their food and so she would have to be careful how much the individual items weighed.

When shall we do the packing? Joan asked.

I was thinking Thursday evening. In that way we still have Friday to get anything we have missed. Simon suggested.

This was agreed.

Simon was a little late home on Thursday evening so Joan had already started to pack her backpack.

She had laid out all her clothes, bedding and everything else she was scheduled to carry, on the bed in the second bedroom. While she waited for Simon to get home she also laid his clothes out but on the bed in the smaller child’s bedroom.

It wasn’t until Simon was packing his backpack that Joan remembered that she had hidden her other purchases in the wardrobe of the child’s bedroom. She just hoped that Simon didn’t go looking around.

Simon had a methodical mind and packed his bag in such a way that all the things that he would always need at hand were either in the top of the large part of the bag or in the side pockets.

He had decided that most of the food he was to carry would be in the large part but he would have two days worth in one of the side pockets. He planned to replenish these pockets as they went along.

Joan may be a very well organised scientist but when it came to packing she would just pick up the first thing that came to hand and push it in the nearest pocket or in the large part. That’s where she had packed her sleeping bag and mat.

Simon! Joan called.

Yes, he replied.

I can’t get it all in my backpack.

You must be able too. You’re not carrying as much as I am and I have plenty of room.

Come and help me.

Simon finished fastening up his backpack, laid it on the bed and the hiking poles across it. Then he went to Joan’s aid.

What have you done with your sleeping bag?

It’s in the backpack.

And the foam mat?

Yes, the mat as well, Joan admitted.

They hang on the outside, here at the bottom, Simon said, pointing out the straps for that very purpose.

Oh.

Simon gave her a peck on the forehead and took over. The first thing he had to do was completely unpack her backpack and start again. He explained what he was doing as he put items in the backpack and why he had put them where he had. It was then that Joan realised that although she had things in the right order she should have packed them in the opposite order.

Joan kept wondering why Simon had not yet packed the stove and the utensils they would be needed to cook their meals. She was about to ask him when he picked up the stove.

These things go at the top. In that way we won’t need to hunt for them when we need a hot meal or cup of tea, he said.

Now they had the backpacks packed Simon lifted Joan’s pack up and turned to her.

Right now try this on.

We can do that when we get there, Joan objected.

What if it’s too late and it doesn’t fit you properly?

OK, if you want, Joan said reluctantly.

Simon held the backpack while Joan turned around and put her arms through the straps. She found that the right one was far too loose and the left one too tight. Simon came around and adjusted them so that she had an even distribution of weight.

How is that?

OK

Now let’s check how it fits against your back.

It’s all right, Joan said.

It can't be. It's not sitting right. If I don't adjust it you'll have a backache before we have gone a mile, Simon pointed out.

In a few minutes, he had the straps adjusted so the pack was right and Joan had to admit that it felt much better as she walked around the room.

Simon helped her to take the backpack off and placed it on the bed. He then left Joan to go and order the Chinese takeaway meal, while he went and made sure that the straps on his backpack were properly adjusted.

It was as he was placing the backpack down beside the bed he realises something was missing – the tent. He returned to the spare room and opened up the cupboard where he had stored the tent a week ago, but it was not alone.

Standing on top of the tent were three of the missing shopping bags from Joan’s shopping trip last Saturday. Did he dare look inside? If he did he might spoil a surprise she had in store for him or, more worrying, he would find out just how much she had spent.

No, he was not looking, he did remove them so he could take the tent out of the cupboard and then he replaced the bags, hoping that Joan didn’t realise he had moved them.

Fitting the tent, with all the poles and pegs in the same bag, was not as easy as he had thought it would be. It appeared that he had secured the sleeping bag and mat using the straps designed for the tent. Once he had replaced them with the tent he could see where he was supposed to have put the sleeping bag. When they were all in place he lifted the backpack up and put his arms through the straps and heaved it onto his back.

It was a lot heavier than he had anticipated but after he strode around for a few minutes he felt at ease. With the aid of the hiking poles he could manage and after all, as the days went on it would get lighter as they devoured the food he was carrying.

Chapter 3 - Off we go

As far as Simon and Joan were concerned all their planning for their holiday had gone well. They had the right clothes for the terrain they hoped to be trekking through and the right equipment to protect them from the environment.

Whether or not they would ever use these things again they had no idea, it