Our last flight was a real spur of the moment. We went to Paris for the day to have lunch with some friends. They were staying at the Ritz and said: 'If you come we'll treat you to lunch at the Ritz'. Who could say no?
My first flight was when I was four. We went to India. I still remember the thrill then
of getting on an aeroplane.
I'm a little over-organised. I tend to pack well in advance, then test the case and have another quick look and think, 'Do I really need that?'
I always leave room for buying something.
India is a shopper's paradise: the fabrics, the jewellery, the homeware. You need to go almost with an empty case. I've seen people who have to leave things at the airport.
My idea of hell is to be stuck anywhere without a good book to lose myself in. On long flights I like watching the movies
but I can't watch them for too long.
I dread the thought of travelling with someone who has an itinerary. Half the fun of travelling is the spontaneity of it.
My only regret is that I haven't travelled more. I feel I've got a lot to cram in.
Meera Syal stars in Much Ado About Nothing at London's Noël Coward Theatre from 22 September. Interview: Caroline Bishop.
