Do you have an essential travel gadget?

I take a small magnifying mirror on a little stand with me, for doing my make up. I can't see well enough to do my eyes nowadays! It was just a few pounds in a local chemist and ha scene invaluable,

*has been!

Kindle White for reading, tiny digital radio with sleep headphones (think they're called 'pyjamas for your ears'). I try to pack light!

Ditto to light for reading in bed, or Kindle. I nearly always read for at least half an hour - dh only ten minutes if that.

Drives me mad when hotels have non dimmable bedside lights, or those fixed lights on the wall that don't even operate individually. Just because people are sharing a bed doesn't mean they want to go to sleep in sync! I have complained more than once, and each time it's been obvious that it's never even occurred to them.
Best in this respect are often cheaper hotels with ordinary bedside lamps that you can just put on the floor - less disturbance for the other person.

When I was going through the menopause we had a really awful holiday in Spain as the air conditioning wasn't working I hardly slept all week,so for the next few years I always took a small electric fan.
DH and I also take our own pillows you can squeeze them easily in the suitcase.

iPad with several BBC or channel 4 catch up programmes downloaded on to it and PG tips t bags

My gas curling tongs. If we go on a cruise, as we have an inside cabin and it's pitch black, it's definitely a torch for those trips to the loo.

Multi adaptor and universal sink/basin plug!! Invaluable. If its a long stay in an hotel, travel wash. I find if i tske wire coat hangers not only are they useful in tha wardrobe if there arent enough but i can often hang them on a shower rail to dry clothes on. We also have. Kttle gadget for boiling water in a cup so we can make tea when abroad - take melamine cups too and tea bags!

The mention of sharp knives reminded me that my late father always took his " wee sharp knife" and frying pan to self catering accommodation, as,when we were children , there was no eating out, just the odd fish 'n' chip tea. All meals were prepared by him in the apartment/ caravan.
My friend always takes disposable lavatory seat covers, even on luxury cruises! She also takes flip flops for the shower.

As OH and I can't sleep under a duvet and have sheets and blankets at home we usually take a top sheet and blanket when going to a cottage in this country. If staying in a hotel or B and B we change the bed at night and in the morning put the duvet back on and hide the sheet and blanket in a case - it's the only way we get any sleep at night ! Duvets are just too hot. I jump up and down on the duvet to crease it a bit so it looks like we've used it.

Was introduced to Limoncello while staying in a rental holiday property. The owners invited us to their half of the house and gave us ice cream with Limoncello poured over!

Always take my Antler luggage scale. It cost £10 but is accurate to the ounce/gram.
Yes to multi socket extensions.
If by car... My own pillow and a duvet to put on top of the mattress.

Hi again, a few people have asked about the facial spritzer, it's this one:

www.naturisimo.com/products.cfm?id=3545&gclid=CjwKEAjw3Nq9BRCw8OD6s4eI5HASJABsfCIaOo3YrNVElWSHwsAAp2JkA12pqkCa54_F75rHliDb3BoCu5zw_wcB

I see they also do a Foot and Leg Revitalizing Spray, so now have bought that!

Teehee BTW I'm not pregnant! (Just noticed the products are for new or about to be mums).

Another vote for a multi socket extension. It's a life saver if both kindles need charging at the same time as the phone.

jawsnana my OH does the same (remakes beds sans duvet inners). So we sleep under the duvet cover only, in B&Bs and hotels wherever we go.

Always take my charger in hand luggage, when going abroad, in case luggage is delayed or lost, same with medicines, my luggage was delayed for two days once and I hadnt any medicine, since then I NEVER pack important things in checked in luggage.
A torch is a must, and luggage scales are brilliant.

whats linoncello, I gather you can eat it and cook with it and it comes from lidl, is it an additive like lemon juice, the name limoncello sounds lemony.

Kindle paperwhite. serves so many purposes.

Gillybob limoncello is SO easy to make. Look it up on line, there are lots of recipes. yes, keep it in the freezer. Doesn't last long but you can then go and make some more. I also make Cassis from our own blackcurrants, yummy, and likewise framboise. trying apricot brandy this year. I like making my own as I can alter the amount of sugar I put in as neither of us like things too sweet.

I collect small bottles and use them with artistic filly bits on the top and pretty labels. very useful as small presents, stocking fillers etc.

Just making loads of tomato ketchup from kilos and kilos of tomatoes coming in daily - again small jars etc for prezzies.

Sorry lost the plot/thread.

I've just tried out my new Microfibre towel I bought for our sneaky wee " hand luggage only" trips. It was quite weird to use, but very efficient.. I'll use it a lot, I think.

I can't be without a hairdryer and nowadays my Kindle which saves carrying books. I haven't yet got into reading on my phone. I'm currently packing for a caravan holiday with grandchildren but without car. The two towels each that we need take masses of space but I only take bath towels, not bath sheets and half of them are very old and will be left behind. I take pegs and tea towel which will also stay behind. I leave most of the toiletries as well. This means the heavy luggage is not so bad on return and does not cost too much in comparison with the saving on heavy lifting.

Luckygirl another one with OH lists ! It drives me mad. We have different lists for UK and abroad , mainly his stuff which always includes a tool kit . Unfortunately as we always self cater he often has a use for it and is full of " told you so" looks . Always take tea bags, travel kettle and milk in a flask when we go abroad and stay overnight in a B&B on our way to our destination as there is rarely such a thing in the room .

I travell rarely but when I do I take as little as possible. I went to Spain only with 3 tops and 2 skirts, no make up certainly nonjewellery. My luggage space went mainly on stuff for DD. My travel essentials would be plenty of knickers.

Of all the threads about packing to go away (and there were many on Gransnet once the summer was here) I found this thread the most useful.

I followed the advice given and took a few wire hangers on holiday, but wasn't too happy about them. They were horrible to pack and we didn't need any at any of the hotels we stayed at. Occasionally they were used to hang up washing in the shower over night, but I was worried I'd get rust stains on the wet clothes.

Worth a try, but won't be taking them again.

Just before we left, I packed my hand luggage into a backpack I had got ready, but it was a tiny bit too small. So I transferred everything to another bag, but forgot to transfer the little towel and the tissues I had in the side pockets. I was cross with myself several times for forgetting those. I improvised with a small cotton square scarf for drying my hands on when there were only those awful blow-dry things available.

So - what would you not pack again, and which advice were you glad you took?

Does one need adapter for multisocket?