Be Prepared - Shopping for Sticks & Hats
In Bulgaria and the ski and walking village of Baorovets, the shops up and down the two main streets beside the hotels and behind them, you can buy the basic items you are likely to need if you don't already have everything.
1 Choose a rucksack to carry your water bottle. If you don't have a pocket outside the rucksack, consider a wast belt or trousers with a large pocket.
2 Pick a pair of expanding walking sticks. I like the ones with a t shape top, rather than a simple circle.. A fellow walked suggested holding the stick under the t bar when strolling along. She said that was less pressure on one's wrists.
3 Look for a protective hat.
I saw an Australian wearing a whole brim hat. It also had a neck protection at the back. He bought it in Australia.
In Borovets, Bulgaria, where people go skiing in winter, walking in summer, I saw hats with neck protection
4 Choose hiking boots or trainers. If you have restricted luggage size and weight, for example if travelling on a budget airline such as Ryan Air, you may wish to wear your heavy and bulky boots or trainers while travelling to your destination country. Another system, adopted by a friend of mine who is over six foot tall and has large feet, is to to back your shoes in a soft sided bag you sling over your shoulder, leaving more room for clothes in your suitcase.
Pack socks to match. Take socks of different thicknesses.
At the end of a day's hiking I remove bits of gravel lodged in the soles and wash the trainers. Some people say that trainers can be washed in a washing machine. Check the manufacturer's instructions.
5 Convertible trousers and jackets. Some trousers (Americans say pants) zip off at the knee to make shorts. Check outdoor clothes shops, sports shops, camping shops, second hand and sales on Ebay.
6 Keep gloves in pockets. Even if you don't need them, they might keep off the flies and mosquitoes.
7 Buy maps or photograph route maps at destination from sign boards.
8 Keep phones powered up with a spare charger and a linking lead plus plugs for the country you are visiting. We travel with an extension board so we can always have extra sockets in case we have two laptops and two phones and two toothbrushes.
9 Photograph safety instructions so you can read them at leisure later.
When others say, 'It doesn't matter', show the official advice or email it to convince everyone.
10 Choose jackets and trousers with large pockets for all your gear. Pockets need fastning to be sure of safety. Protect yourself from items dropping out, or pickpockets.
11 Take an umbrella.
a) Against rain.
b) Against sun.
c) To hide when going to the toilet.
12 Sunblock.
Take it with you. I did my hands. Then I folded up my sleeves and my arms were not protected.
13 Anti insect protection. Insect bite balm or soother. Note natural remedies, such as dock leaves for stinging nettles.
14 Carry a sticking plaster in case you get a blister.
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About the Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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