"Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." – Mary Oliver

I’m Home … and The Great Toilet Paper Debate

We arrived home from the UK late on Sunday 18th. I’ve found the jet lag both going over and coming back particularly bad this trip, probably because both flights coincided with the worst time of the month, if you know what I mean. I unpacked my case and then repacked to leave for Noosa on Thursday for our annual work/running weekend. I’m so glad I only put myself down for the 10K. It was hot, I’d been battling migraines during the week, and was feeling sub-par. I managed to meet my downgraded expectations for the race which was to keep my record of no 10K race result over 1 hr. Other than my poor running form the weekend was great, we ate lots of yummy food, had a couple of walks in the Noosa National Park, naps everyday and I went for a swim in the ocean.

Our trip to the UK was also wonderful and I will probably pick up and complete my recaps of Oxford (solo stay which I loved) and Wales (two week roadtrip with G which was stunning) over the next month or so. We had a couple of drops of rain land on us over the whole two weeks we were in Wales, and nearly every day was a blue-sky day which is pretty amazing. I’m looking forward to reliving the trip through my recaps.

While in Wales we stayed in an apartment in a converted barn. I went in the bathroom and was confronted with this:

Of course, I immediately thought of Elisabeth, and her strong opinions on the correct way to hang toilet paper. I couldn’t decide whether this was a genius way to put the under or over debate to bed, or if it opened up a second possibility for division over clockwise or anti-clockwise. I raised it with G who is strongly committed to the over side of the debate and he was equally certain that the toilet paper must unravel clockwise as it is here. I, as always, maintained indifference to the way my toilet paper hangs.

What side are you in the great toilet paper debate?


Comments

12 responses to “I’m Home … and The Great Toilet Paper Debate”

  1. You know where I stand on this debate. I agree that it would need to be clockwise. G is a smart man!

    1. Glad to hear the expert agrees.

  2. Ha ha… I would also have thought of Elisabeth immediately upon seeing that toilet paper. Fun fact- I used to be an “under” person but Elisabeth converted me to “over”! Anyway… I’m not sure if I would care about clockwise or counterclockwise.
    Nice job on the 10K- sounds like tough conditions but you did well.

    1. I’m indifferent about the toilet paper myself but this just presented too good on opportunity for blog fodder.

  3. I think my brother has a toilet paper holder like that. For years I thought it broke and they didn’t feel like fixing it. It is somewhat genius in that no one has to take anything off to replace a roll, right? I think it would depend on what side of the toilet the wall is on – I think it should unravel towards the user.

    Sorry to hear that your battle with migraines and jet lag has been challenging. Hope you’re back to yourself soon.

    1. We have a toilet roll holder that is like this, but horizontal so you just have to slip the old roll off. I’m starting to feel better, thanks.

  4. I look forward to more travel updates, I’ve been enjoying the and living vicariously through them and Wales without rain? Lucky you.

    Ah, the great British compromise! Seriously, what’s with this, I mean, really, who does this in a rental?

    1. I know, Wales with no rain is pretty unusual.

      1. I have to admit, I know it doesn’t rain all the time in Wales or, in fact, the UK. The weather over there these days is pretty great.

  5. I know the debate rages but honestly, I could not care less. As long as there is toilet paper, IDNGAF how it is displayed. Up, down, back, forth, whatever, as long as I have toilet paper available. We all have our things and I think people who feel strongly about toilet paper over/under REALLY feel strongly about it. Well, I feel strongly about weird things too, so no judgement on my part. My particular bugaboo is tea towels, I like them folded in thirds.

    1. G cares a lot. He changes the paper it it’s on “wrong” I don’t usually notice, but this was out of the ordinary.

  6. Hilarious I am with your husband and Elisabeth. Over and of course clockwise.
    I be a person to change and have done so in public bathrooms. I am a bit more hesitant in private homes as I don’t want to be intrusive.

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