Oh no here comes another long long post by JackyB. Sorry.
I fly Ryanair frequently and when I visit my mother I only have about 3 -5 kg of hand luggage (no check-in bag). 10 kg is a lot of baggage to carry (or even pull on wheels) on those long walks through airports (Stansted, Dublin I know have very long distances) OK - I have all my toiletries, slippers and a dressing gown at hers, so I only need a couple of tops and clean underpants and any presents, but it's enough.
Anyway - I never pack ages in advance. If I prepare stuff in advance I forget about it. All has to be done the night before.
Lists are vital. Important, indispensible. Those can be started as much in advance as you like. They take the worry out of travelling and make the journey there part of the holiday itself (as it should be!).
Be prepared! I have a travel toothbrush and a mini toothpaste in my handbag at all times, as well as a chunk of deodorant crystal and a comb and a few sample sachets of shampoo and face cream. This covers a good deal of the essentials for short stays.
Passport and purse I never put in my handbag when travelling - always in the pocket of my trousers. I always carry a small handtowel in a side pocket of my carry-on bag. (I hate the hand dryers in airports and stations)
If I'm staying in a hotel I don't take shampoo or shower gel - they should have them there even in the most primitive hotels.
My system is:
First and foremost: Count out underpants, socks, bras and pack them away first (in a separate clean bag, or an old pyjama case if you have one.) And don't forget a nightie!!!
Then the outer garments - just enough for the days you will be away (up to a week), plus special activity (hiking, swimming) , or event (wedding, open air opera) gear. Rolled, of course, not folded.
Shoes in bags (cloth or plastic), down the sides and round the edges of the suitcase.
Toiletries - each in an individual plastic bag, well waterproofed, and spread about the case. I have never figured out how you pack a lumpy old sponge bag once you have spread the clothes out flat all over the case.
Anything over a week - expect to wash clothes whilst away. Not only does it reduce the load - but who wants to tote around dirty linen that is over a week old?
Rules I have learned from others:
1. Wear the heaviest shoes to avoid carrying them
2. Make sure the actual bag/case you use is as light as possible
3. If you're checking in a case, put as much in it as possible. You do not need all that junk en route.
4. Leave all your keys somewhere safe at home. Just put a single front-door key in your purse with the coins. (I now keep a copy of the back door key in my purse anyway)
5. Putting things in your pockets will reduce the weight of your handbag.
And things that tend to get forgotten:
a:- charger for phone (with adapter if necessary. But bear in mind that a USB plug will fit anywhere in the world.)
b: pens and notepad to keep a travel diary
c: A nightie
d: If you're going somewhere hotter or colder do not over/underestimate the temperatures!.
Not absolutely necessary, but can be useful:
If you are keeping a holiday diary, a small roll of sellotape, a Pritt stick and a couple of coloured pens.
Don't worry - you can get it once you're there
Something I always seem to have to buy the minute I cross a border or land in an aeroplane: Emery boards!
Forgetting things is no great problem. Most things you can ask for at hotel reception or buy at the airport. In fact, buying a swimsuit, a hairbrush or a tube of hand cream is a huge part of the fun of being in foreign parts.
!
