The airport had lots of smart suitcases for sale. We didn't need them. We could buy cheaper.
SUITCASES
Damaged?
Hard-sided suitcases offer protection. You can balance a handbag on top. You can even sit on some of them. On the other hand, they won't give, and they could dent.
On the other hand, you get home and find your luggage stained and holed, with handles which won't push down, zip pulls pulled off. Even the carry on luggage which is places on racks and buses, dragged along by helpers.
You can probably buy cheaper online - if you spend all year looking.
But what size do you need? One bag per person on the cheapo airlines? How will we get our larger items in this? Weight your luggage. Allow extra time to Check-in Oversize items.
But first we must find items to pack.
Problem
Does any of this sound like your family?
Now it's summer, put away the clutter of your winter items, or prepare for your skiing holiday in New Zealand. Think about where you will be looking next time you need the items. Write notes to yourself and everybody else in the family. Two heads, brains, memories, are better than one. Just writing a note, or telling somebody, helps you remember.
Do you have outsize items? Do your suitcases need repairing or replacing?
Photo of snow shoe walking with poles and hats, hooded jacket, and gloves, courtesy of Elves Village, Finland.
FAQ 1 SKIERS AND NON-SKIERS
We go on ski holidays.
CLOTHES & EQUIPMENT
We cannot find the skis - where are they?
We find the skis but no boots. We find the boots but no socks. We find the socks but no hats. We find the hats but no goggles.
MAPS & STATIONERY
Where are the ski trail maps and road maps from last year?
In case we break a leg, we need a book. Where's that book we never had time to read?
We are exhausted - we need a holiday.
FAQ 2 HIKING HOLIDAYS
We go on hiking holidays.
We cannot find the trainers and waterproof boots. We found the trainers and washed them off. But no matching socks. When we try on the socks, we cannot lace up the boots.
We cannot find the zip-off trousers (USA convertible pants) which convert from shorts to trousers and back.
We cannot find the lightweight jacket with the zip-off hood. We find it but it doesn't match the trousers. We had another one somewhere.
We want to get away from it all, all this stress.
FAQ 3 SWIM & GYM
BEACHES: BEACHWEAR & ACTIVITIES
We go on any holiday with beaches and pools - or might have a pool.
Where is the surfboard? The life jackets for the boats? The swimming rings?
Where are the swimsuit, swim hat, beach shoes, sunglasses, snorkels, baseball cap? We have three caps, matching our jackets, but none of them match the colours of our swimsuit.
The hotel has a gym, free or cheap aqua-aerobics classes. To use the pool, you need beachwear. Some Asian hotels don't allow bikinis but want one-piece costumes. Most pools require swim hat, so you don't spread hairs and hair grease, or get your hair caught int he sucking jets. For a gym, you need trainers and a tank top and shorts or tracksuit.
FAQ 4
Where are the missing items, in the loft/attic, spare room/basement?
Answers
FREQUENT ANSWERS
1a SUITCASES
Wash down or wipe down the outside of suitcases to removed stains. Wipe or change luggage tags. Wipe wheels. Vacuum clean the dust and dirt from the outside and crumbs from inside. Allow time to dry.
Hide stains and scratches and dents and prevent new stains and scratches with suitcase cover protectors.
You can also change the appearance of your suitcase from plain black to red or yellow or wavy colours or splodges multi-colour pattern so it is easier to identify.
1 b SKIS ETC
Big items could be:
Standing upright in the corner of the room.
Lying flat behind or under a sofa.
Moved to the attic, basement, spare bedroom, store room, outdoor shed, garage, in a relative's larger home, loaned to student son or daughter.
Allow time to sell off the old ones. Use the money for the new ones.
Buy second hand - it's only for a few days.
Hire, because the latest skis and boots with the latest colour and style and the latest technology.
MAPS
Find old maps and brochures. Sort all old maps and brochures by country. Store in box files alphabetically, or piles on shelves, alphabetically, with a label on the shelf or a printed A5 sheet on side of the bookshelf. Keep a copy on your laptop or computer. Email it to yourself under the country name in emails.
Photograph all maps and store in photos. Email it to yourself with the country name in the subject. Store emails in a file called PHOTOS.
2 HIKING
FAQ 2 Answers
Boots.
We need thinner socks.
Picnic box for car or pocket.
Water bottle.
Insulated picnic carrier.
Kendal mint cake.
Food for the journey, enough to share.
Allow time to book swimming lessons, diving and lifesaving lessons for everybody before a holiday near a beach. Lessons are available for all ages, from babies upwards. You can buy floatsuits for children.
Wear an old swimsuit and see what others are wearing. Find out suppliers from fellow swimmers and the instructor.
FAQ Answer 4
Ask.
Were they given away to the mountain guides, loaned to somebody on the trip who never gave it back? Are they in the home of a parent, child or another relative. Was the ski or glove lost on a foreign mountain or a beach? Is it still in the suitcase, at the back of the wardrobe.
Maybe it is already packed by somebody else who swears / thinks it is their socks / gloves / whatever.
Pack a week earlier to allow time to hunt through the house. If no luck, order from Amazon or eBay.
USEFUL WEBSITES
SUITCASES Luggage (UK); Baggage (USA)
Weighing Luggage
https://www.epictraveller.co/product/portable-travel-luggage-scales/
Suitcase cover /protector
Look for the words, dustproof, washable, stretch.
Measure your luggage.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Periea-Elasticated-Suitcase-Luggage-Cover/dp
Huge range of designs including mixed animals, amusing big brown scowling bear on yellow background for kids.
Designs with Winter and Summer for storing your winter and summer clothes.
Smaller range of covers in assorted sizes cheaper on eBay.
Repairs
Amazon sells wheels, leather thread, sets of five colours of patches, handles, zipper pulls.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Seattle-Sports-Built-U-S-Repair/dp/B001OPM8T6/ref=sr_1_30?ie=UTF8&qid=1532707974&sr=8-30&keywords=luggage+repair
Swimming AIDS
Amazon sells swim fins for children, flotation rings, noodles, float boards, armbands,
Swimsuits
Amazon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=swimming+aids
Trousers
Search for convertible trousers, cargo pants, hiking trousers
https://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-aspen-zip-off-trousers-ladies
eBay
I have ordered a suitcase cover. I can upload a photo later when I receive it and give you my verdict.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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