Guest Author - Christine Robins

Packing Tips

However you get your holiday, which is another story, once you are on your way you still have to think of all the problems you may come across, like firstly getting there. One of the things I used make hard for myself , was carrying too much luggage! You do the general packing of everything you might just need, you know those shoes you have only worn once but might come in handy if you go a posh restaurant, or that top that showed off too much cleavage for the local pub, but might look good when you’ve got a tan! Then you have to get it on and off cars, trains or buses. Get it to the check in desk and then do it all at the other end. I know there are such things as trolleys but when there’s none left and it seems 3 miles to check in, it’s a long way to carry all that stuff on your own.

As a couple there are two of you to split the weight, even though there is of course more, you usually still have one suitcase, another one for bits and bobs, shoes etc and us ladies have a handbag! Then sometimes you buy bits for the journey and have a carrier bag to contend with too.

Gosh I’m tired just thinking about it! What seems to be best is to do what all the ladies magazines tell you, but you just skim over because you know you are never to be so organised. Mix and match! It does sound so simple but when you get down to it and you’ve got all your holiday clothes spread all over the bed. It’s never so easy!

You just see all your nice colours and shapes and think how nice it would look in a posh restaurant or on the beach or when scuba diving, snorkelling, climbing that mountain, abseiling, hand gliding!

Exactly!! How are you going to fit all that stuff in? You’re only going for 2 weeks! We’ve all done it, just in case this, just in case that, just in case Jamaica happens to begin it’s own ice age whilst you’re visiting!

Ok stop, sit down and think, do you really need 4 cardigans just in case it gets chilly in the evenings? Is it absolutely necessary that you take 4 pairs of sandals, each a different colour to match each of those head scarf’s?

If you’re anything like me (and I do hope for your sake you’re not too much like me!) you end up wearing the same 2 pairs of shorts for most of the holiday as they are comfortable and can blend with most of your wardrobe. If you could only use this mindset before you leave you wouldn’t have half the luggage and then you’ve got more room in your suitcase for those crappy presents you have to buy for everyone. Like wicker donkeys when you’ve been to Spain!

Especially when travelling alone you should make everything you can as easy as possible, because there may be other things to face that become twice as hard when you are carrying 3 bags and 15 suitcases. (ok slight exaggeration there, but you get my point.)

So here we go the point…white t-shirts or blouses go with anything, so you can take them and match with shorts, trousers and skirts. It is so easy to add a scarf or find a different way of wearing something so people can’t tell you’ve worn that blouse or skirt before.

Take your most comfortable shoes and you will end up wearing them all the time. I promise! Its ok to take the odd pair of really fancy high heeled shoes, but just don’t take them in 4 different colours! I beg you for your shoulders muscles sake.

Also I have found that rolling small t-shirts, bikinis and things into empty corners can be a great help. which saves your bag bulging out the top and sides so much . Another thing I found which helps is to take a little bag or container of soap powder, I know its not glamorous, but it only takes 2 minutes to wash and rinse something in a sink and to hang it over the shower rail over night, it saves you having to bring 8 t-shirts and 12 bikinis.

Although I do have to say I know there are people out there, that want people to see them wearing a different costume everyday and to never be seen in the same dress twice! Well that is there prerogative but I bet when they arrive in a strange place at 2 in the morning and there are no trolleys or porters, they had wished they hadn’t stuffed so much perfume into their hand luggage!