Accessories, accessories, accessories…

Are something that I use quite sparingly, usually because I’ve packed too many in the past.

Some items are always packed though: 

Personal medications plus appropriate paperwork. 

My reading glasses and a spare pair of my usual specs. 

A basic Casio watch with an alarm function. 

A roll-up 0.5l reusable water bottle.

Ear plugs. 

First aid kit – waterproof plasters, paracetemol, tick remover, lavender & tea tree oils.

Fabric wash.

Travel clothes line.

Sink plug.

Small wash kit – toothbrush, travel size tooth paste, travel size shower gel and part used roll-on anti-perspirant in a plastic rather than glass shell.

Travel towels – two of for washing and to help squeeze water out of washed and worn clothing to help them dry quicker.

Small pack of Wet Wipes,  small bottle of hand sanitiser.

Kindle eReader – charged and switched off when not in use rather than in sleep mode.

Nikon Coolpix 3100 digital compact camera – fits in shirt or trouser pocket, charges quickly.

Camera charger, Kindle charger and destination appropriate plug adaptor.

Small torch with an LED bulb (less likely to blow…) OR

Head torch – usually by Petzl. Choice of torch depends on destination & accommodation.

Moleskine notebooks (two of) and three Paper Mate Flexigrip Ultra pens (stored in my trouser pocket).

Old wallet containing out of date debit & other cards plus a small denomination bank note – just in case someone plays silly sods…

Discrete wallet with debit cards plus driving licence & bank notes in zipped trouser pocket.

As visits of any length are usually conducted using hand luggage (exception comes when camping or when using the car), the items that go inside my bag are well organised. 

Not because I have any degree of OCD, but because it helps to know what is where, and where anything is that may be needed on a bus, in-flight, on a train or when simply wandering around. 

A small packing cube is used to store the camera charger, cables and plug adaptor, spare glasses and illumination. Another is used for travel undies and t-shirts plus first aid kit, ear plugs, clothes line and sink plug. A medium sized cube is used for other shirts and a pair of swim shorts whilst a larger one takes care of a fleece and spare trousers.

The Kindle has its own neoprene pouch that’s also used to store the spare Moleskine notebook. This is stored at the top of the bag on flying days so it can be switched on in order to prove it’s operable – same goes for the camera too.

My wash kit and those oils go in the plastic bag that’s obligatory for taking liquids onto aircraft at the moment. Meds go in a similar bag that can also be examined if necessary. Both go in the top pocket of my bag on flying days.

The travel towels go in a couple of poly carrier bags inside the main bag whilst the Wet Wipes go in a shirt pocket for on the plane. Any paper items such as maps or guide books also go in a carrier bag inside the main bag.

Ear plugs, tick remover, fabric wash. travel clothes line, sink plug and travel towels are usually available in outdoor or travel specialist shops  (i.e. Itchy Feet in Bath). 

My purchases on these themes are all by Lifeventure or Lifesystems as is the pocket first aid kit that I’ve slimmed down for my travels. Lavender oil is used for sleep factors and as a anecdotal protector against bed bugs whilst tea tree oil is used as a personal antiseptic on small cuts and as a shaving oil too. My packing cubes were bought from Rohan back in 2013.