Lists
Low-tech, portable, easy to edit and great mind-clearers, lists help you keep tabs on what things to take, what stays behind, what to buy and how it fits in with your travel itinerary.
You can either have one long list or several shorter ones that you’ll tick off or add to as your departure approaches. As well as physical items to put in the case, make a list of planned activities or events you intend taking part in.
Having a planned itinerary doesn’t necessarily mean you’re locked into doing only those things, but it does give you some idea of the kind of clothing or equipment you’ll need. If you’re hiking in the wilderness, for instance, there’s probably not much point lugging formal clothes around just in case you go somewhere fancy.
You can also make a checklist for things you need to organise before you leave, such as:
- Pet care
- Plant care, inside and out
- Passports
- Vaccinations
- Airport regulations
- Home security (more on this later)
- Car parking
- Transport and connection times
- Arranging for a neighbour to keep an eye out. If they can go inside occasionally, so much the better, but if not at least let them know if anyone has authorisation to be in your garden or around your house. If they spot anything suspicious, they’ll be able to confidently take the appropriate action.
- Packing up your valuables so they’re not easy pickings. At least move treasured items away from windows so they’re not easily visible, but for extra security and peace of mind, pack them up completely and place them in a storage unit during your travels.
- Make sure your insurance covers the property while you’re away. If you find that it doesn’t, you can make alternative arrangements.
- Have a packing rehearsal, experimenting with different sets of clothes and working closely with your activity or destinations list.
- Use space wisely, packing items inside other things when you can, such as balling up socks to fit inside shoes.
- Roll clothing when possible, instead of folding it. You get fewer creases and it somehow takes less space.
- Use zip lock bags for cables, documents, currency, hobby items you’re taking along or other small things you need to hand.
- If you’re travelling to your destination in stages, have a separate overnight bag. If this isn’t possible, pack your overnight necessities last so they’re on top and quickly accessible.
- When you’re packing for children, let them have some say about what they take – within reason of course.
This is The Chequers Bath blog, a lifestyle blog mostly focussing on food, travel and general lifestyle posts.
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