List of essentials to take away

When I travel I always take paper knickers from Boots maternity section. They are light and obviously disposable. It means I don't have to take many
other pairs.

'Don't stick stickers on my paper knickers' - remember Sarah Kennedy? That's set me off singing now!

Great idea for the plane journey.

My ex-MiL told me to take old knickers and bras and socks with me, and to throw them away instead of washing them. Any space they left could be filled with a new item of clothing.

SIL'S sister sat next to someone on the plane over from Canada who only had small hand luggage for a month's stay, she bought new knickers when she got here apparently, then visited the charity shop for the rest, sending them back when she left.

I like to plan in advance, not take pot luck like that!

Hypochondriac's recommendations: I stock up on Boots' cheapest paracetamol. If you take over-the-counter medication, it's usually cheaper here and if you have a repeat prescription, be sure to ask your GP for as much as you need for the time you'll be away. And a bit extra - just in case. Definitely something for stomach 'upsets'.

What a wonderful idea, margaretm74. A bit of a gamble, yes!

And always take a copy of your repeat prescription form in case your medication gets lost and needs replacing whilst away.

I would probably not find anything to fit me or that I liked and would end up spending a fortune.

And I'm sure everyone does this anyway, but carry your medication in your hand luggage, if necessary with a letter from your doctor stating what it is and it is for your personal use.

I did think about trying the idea of taking old underwear to throw away on holiday but where would you throw it? I'd hate the hotel maid to come running after me with a grey bra and holey knickers because she thought I'd mistakenly thrown them out. Also in some countries they are very keen on recycling even in hotels so where would you put smelly socks? I decided it was too risky!

A small roll of those thin nappy bags? They are very small and very useful for all sorts of things. Wet swimsuits and so on.

I've just bought a 48 hour mineral deodorant and I'm trying it out in the fervent hope I won't need it.

Good idea, you never know if you might get delayed somewhere. Wet wipes, spare undies, although some airports have showers not all will have.

We are going to Ecuador, then a cruise round the Galapagos, any hints for clothing greatly appreciated. Getting conflicting advice from others!

Sorry, forgot to say - going in May for three weeks.

S'pea I will PM my useful list . I stuck to one colour for everything and as my clothes are getting a bit vintage have found that my photos are all interchangeable. Most of my stuff comes from East or M&S as we have very little choice in durham . Blue linen,blue tencel and blue poly cotton trousers.two skirts for evening black and cream with linen jacket. Four long sleeved t shirts tunic style and four lawn loose kaftan type tops. Ten sets of underwear as we were moving around and I couldn't bank on laundry days. Large hospital size laundry bag!

Thank you Stansgran, that would be great.

We tend to go on birding and safari type holidays and the thing I forgot to take when we went to India recently was my SheWee! I don't often need it but it can come in very handy and I missed having it with me. A small umbrella can be useful too - doubles as a sunshade. And a small torch for finding lights switches in strange hotel rooms.

Thank you so much for your message, a SheWee, what a good suggestion. Will look into it, and definitely the torch.