In Europe, I take an immersion heater and plug adapter as well for making hot drinks in my room.Something else I never travel without is my penknife, which splits in two with a fork on one piece and a spoon on the other. It doesn’t have a manufacturer’s name on it, and I haven’t seen one in any shop recently, but if you find some buy two, because they are useful for picnics at home as well.As for the rest, there’s always room for a travel alarm, a first-aid kit, a small torch and some long-life batteries, a couple of nightlights, a sewing kit, a few carrier bags and some laundry soap. I have my eye on a retractable washing line (too many bad experiences with stupid bits of string) and a waterproof neck pouch for the beach. But I think I shall be able to resist the lure of the Bra Bank.Field & Trek mail order hotline: 01277 233122; Go Travel Products, 0181- 906 8505 for stockists; SafariQuip 01433 620320 (mail order); YHA Adventure Shops, 01784 458625 for branches and technical guide.Excess baggage: a user’s guideLast week’s behind-the scenes documentary on Elton John, Tantrums and Tiaras proved that despite a valet, and an obscene amount of clothes, shoes and sunglasses he still wasn’t happy on his holiday. I have one from YHA Adventure Shops impregnated with permethrin, which weighs about 300g, and other travel shops will have similar ones for about pounds 28.You will also need a good mosquito repellent.
There are various ranges that all use DEET (diethyl tolumide) in varying proportions. The strength you choose will depend on your destination, but also on your skin. Ranges to look for include Boots Repel PLUS, Autan, Jungle Formula, Lifesystems and Repel. Modern mosquito nets are light, compact and easy to hang, and even if you will be staying in good hotels with air-conditioning, or their own nets at least, it is worth slotting a net into your bag in case you want to go off the beaten track a little. You can often buy good sarongs cheaply at your destination, although my favourite is one I bought at Tie Rack years ago.If you are going somewhere hot, there are likely to be mosquitoes, and protecting yourself against being bitten is a matter of health as well as comfort.
The first is made of Pertex, a finely woven nylon; I prefer the second type, which is soft viscose and more comfortable to the touch. Buy the largest size (50cm by 100cm, around pounds 11), and take a couple of sarongs, too, which as well as being emergency towels in hot countries can also be top sheets, skirts, bags, shawls and curtains, among other things. If you are going on a sunbathing holiday, it is worth taking a beach towel (try the chain stores); otherwise it’s better to take a lightweight travel towel, which you can find at specialist travel and camping shops There are two types. If you want something larger, Field & Trek has a selection of Lowe Alpine bags from pounds 12.95.Once the basics are sorted out, you can begin to consider the other things you cannot live without for two weeks or two months, though try not to take anything you couldn’t bear to lose, such as jewellery.Towels take up a huge amount of space.
I prefer to wear a simple, flat money belt under my clothes, to contain the important things (in plastic holders), and a bum bag over the top to disguise it and to hold day-to- day money. Go Products Cash Carrier (pounds 6.93) or Money Minder (pounds 4.75) are comfortable next to the skin, and they also have a good range of waist bags that are not too enormous from around pounds 4.75. This tool fits wherever there is a door latch recess in the door frame. You might feel like you’re in a Bond movie, but at least you can relax.Travelling Light.
They also stock a selection of money belts, torches and sunglasses. For those who can’t dream of travelling without a hair dryer or iron there are adaptor plugs (pounds 5.95) and a compact steam iron (pounds 17.95).Best buy? A cunning trouser belt with a concealed zip for carrying cash – two customers were mugged in Rio, both lost their wallets, but as the belts concealed the big money the muggers only made off with their small change.For mail order call: 01931 714488Good thingPersonal door lock, pounds 7.95 The perfect answer to the ludicrous gymnastics required to keep lockless toilet doors secure. The shop is particularly popular with the cruise and safari brigade as it has a wide range of lightweight but smart clothes – perfect for a cocktail or two with the captain. It also has plenty to offer the traveller planning a rather more rugged adventure.Such as? A good selection of health essentials including mosquito repellents (from pounds 2.95), water purifying tablets (pounds 3.95) and first aid kits (pounds 7.95-pounds 29.95). Checkout Travelling Light
What is it? Although it looks like a boutique from the outside, Travelling Light is in fact a travel accessories shop which specialises in hot weather clothing.
Who shops there? Anyone heading for the sun. Fifth was the Renault of the Swiss driver Alain Menu, who blew an engine.
The championship leader Frank Biela (Audi) and reigning champion John Cleland (Vauxhall) could manage no better than seventh and ninth respectively, both complaining of a lack of grip.Times, Sporting Digest, page 27. Third and fourth were the Volvos of the Swede Rickard Rydell and Britain’s Kelvin Burt.