What extras do you take when going away that you never used to?

I’ve only just removed my masks from my various shopping and handbags. Not sure I’m going to remove them from our cases for when we travel abroad yet. “Be prepared” and hopefully we will not find ourselves in that mad search for masks again. Apart from my ever increasing meds nothing else I can think of as I do try to travel much lighter now as I can’t manage the weights I used to.

I’m intrigued by the pillow packers I might have to start a new thread as I struggle with finding the right pillow even at home.

Meds , spare carrier bag or two ( for dirty clothes etc), spare glasses .

Tena pads ear plugs night light bottle of wine iPad Air freshener hand/surface wipes blood pressure medication indigestion medicine the list is endless.

No masks and not going back to them either. We have all these germs and infections because we had lockdowns and masks. I always take my own decaf tea and marmalade plus my vitamins.

My own pillow, a light dressing gown which rolls up small to pack, my medication, a small torch, indigestion tablets and paracetamol, camelbak water bottle.

An adult sippy cup because I can no longer drink coffee on a morning without spilling it and a huge bag if medications. I also try to remember hard boiled sweets for the journey.

All my medication …..my rubbing gel for aches and pains…. My comfy shoes …..my ‘hottie’ for my back pain….my glasses ….shall I go on ?!

One thing I’ve just remembered, the cystitis-relief sachets you can buy anywhere in the U.K. now. But not invariably in other countries, as I once found to my cost - and ended up needing GP and ABs on my return home.

Although I’ve not had it for a few years, I don’t go anywhere without them now - not even within the U.K..

Slippers and a tiny battery-powered radio.

My kindle has replaced a paperback book

I have always travelled light, so don't possess a suitcase, just a small back pack which has been on nearly all my travels.

I never go anywhere without my white noise machine and ear plugs (will def checkout Loop earplugs so thank you for that tip). Also take eye mask and Kalms nightime (valerian). I sleep well at home, but as soon as I go away its a problem. If I am in the car I take my pillow and a light blanket as I find it very difficult to sleep under synthetic duvets used in most hotels and many rentals. Mobile phone and charger is of course a given for calls, texts, Whats App, Facebook, Twitter, Insta, internet, e-mail and GPS. I am even learning Spanish on the phone now - Duolingo - brilliant.

Loads of things I never used to bother with, or never possessed. A multi charger for the phones, kindles, MiFits, etc. My silk pillowcase. Paracetamol and Deep Heat ever since I had to buy them at exorbitant cost in Italy. Shampoo bar. Dry shampoo because it’s not readily available everywhere. The only toothpaste my sensitive teeth will tolerate, ditto. A set of plastic cutlery because street traders everywhere are going over to wooden and it sets said sensitive teeth on edge!

I pack an extension lead with four sockets and the relevant converter plug. When my elderly parents used to come and stay with me they brought their duvet and pillows - I felt offended every time!

'thin' not 'this'

My hearing aids case and spare batteries.

I think, in general, I take less. However, I think I'll start having to remember to pack some thin pads. I find I am getting caught out more often these days, and being anywhere unfamiliar could be a problem.

I am an avid follower of several channels on YouTube which show how to pack minimally and, although we haven't been away for a long time now, I thoroughly enjoy their adventures and suggestions and sometimes even buy the little gadgets or bags just for general use.

If travelling by car, a this but very comfortable topper- as I find many beds too hard and uncomfortable.

My binoculars go with me everywhere.

I have an empty ice cream tub in which I put all my different medications. Also have there an up-to-date repeat prescription (just in case). I also have to take continence pads, and bags, flanges, etc for my ostomy. Important is my plug into which I can put my electric toothbrush, my phone and my kindle. Also the charging things for the wheelchair. I take with, also, my headphones so that I can listen to my audio books late at night without disturbing anyone else in the house.

I do keep quite a lot of stuff at my daughter's house in London, so most cosmetic items are already there along with dressing gown slippers, etc.

For the journey, I take a packed lunch, my kindle some Sudoku, pens and, of course, my ticket and travel arrangements. Also take my blue parking badge for when I am in London and being driven around by daughter.

As I travel by train on my little electric wheelchair, cannot take a suitcase, just a bag on the back so, really cannot take much in the way of extras.

Baggs

Having found the sound level at the Glasgow Panto this year actually hurt my ears and apparently affected my balance, I'm now going to take disposable ear buds everywhere.

I suffered similarly after being at a Jersey Boys tribute band concert a couple of years ago, causing me to leave early. This was diagnosed as labyrinthitis, which can affect balance. I had seasickness pills from my GP, who suggested I should buy Sudafed nasal spray, too.

Those remedies worked although, within a few months, I experienced the same discomfort to a lesser extent at the ballet a couple of times. It might be worth having your symptoms checked.

sandelf

Baggs - me too have a look at these, pricey but really good. I keep a pair in their case on an elastic band round my wrist. Life saver when the speakers in JS are blaring out, when hoovering and many other situations. www.loopearplugs.com/

Ooh, thanks, sandelf!

Grannyseaside: if you purchase incontinent pads from Lidl or Aldi they come in plastic bags which the old pad can be rolled up and placed inside. They are also a fraction of the cost of branded products which I just don’t understand why people actually buy. I prefer Aldi pads as they have a better sticky layer which keeps them in place in knickers. Also, they have a better”filling”. Both cost under 90p for 12.

nipsmum

Why in heavens name do you need to take an air freshener to your daughter's. If my daughter's did that I would be seriously hurt.

Not such a strange thing in my head, obviously. We are staying in a rented cottage with only a shower room and loo. As we are sharing I don’t want to leave ‘Grannie toilet smells’ so have a small room freshener. Puzzled as why you would be hurt!

Big knickers and blood
Pressure tablets! The type of knickers I used to call granny knickers and find hilarious that anyone would actually wear such things 😂 and here I am at that grabby knickers stage haha

Baggs - me too have a look at these, pricey but really good. I keep a pair in their case on an elastic band round my wrist. Life saver when the speakers in JS are blaring out, when hoovering and many other situations. www.loopearplugs.com/

Definitely my own pillow!! But last time a wheelchair, walker and crutches after having broken my hip 12 days before. Just hoping nothing extra is required next time!!

Meds, two pairs of reading glasses and if poss my own pillow.
Mint teabags.Paracetamol, plasters and blister plasters.
Sensible shoes🤣