A Mystery, wrapped in an Enigma, packed in a Suitcase

(Thanks to my dad for the title.) You see above you three generations of suitcases. The swish Samsonite one is Ben's for work - I borrowed it. The falling-apart blue one I 'borrowed' from my parents in the 1980s and it's still going really well, despite the attention needed inside. The little leather one has my grandma's initials on it, and it's been much admired in our family for years - my sister had it on display in the early '90s.

Unfortunately, it's recently gone a bit mouldy in storage, and I offered to bring it over to France for treatment and, of course, use!

It came over bearing jars of British foods (very well wrapped) unavailable in France, inside the blue '80s case.

So here it is: 'M' for Mildred.

This label makes sense; it's the liner on which the family travelled to Canada for a stay of several memorable years.

But these stickers are the enigma - my grandma was terrified of flying and never once in her life took an aeroplane.

This suitcase took a fair number of flights...

My mother, of course, solved the mystery at once - my grandfather frequently borrowed his wife's suitcase!

I love to think about the luxury in which he must have travelled, or at least it seems luxurious looking back on it.

Those were the days...

I wonder if anyone reading this will know anything about the airlines he used?

Now, I can't finish this little suitcase post without pointing you in the direction of a fellow Challengee of the Utmost Kind - Toni, with her charming Australian blog Little Suitcase.