Oh how I wish I had more time to tell you about how I pack a bag, I have traveled so much in my life that I have a weird science when packing, (though everyone has a different method) and this time I have 75 beanie babies, a stunning Little Black Dress, lasagna pans, Gluten free rice lasagna, meatloaf tins, knives, a beautiful vintage crochet dress that I bought in a second hand shop in Soho, London, a sun hat, a set of blocks, my favourite pinny, a set of cut out play people, Darth Vader, my new mono pod (thank you darling), gloves, calendars, books, farmy baby animal books, more books, paintings, recipes, prints. Cameras, chargers (for everything), kindle, laptop, up to date passport (yes I have panic checked the date a number of times), three tops (short sleeved, long sleeved, baggy shirt), three bottoms (jeans, black tights, long skirt) and two pairs of boots (one black, one worn out brown). One warmie. My coat. Flats, sundress, knickers, pink bras. And a nightie that I am not going to describe for you. I love nighties, I am not a pajama girl.
I love to travel, but I think you know that already.
I roll my clothes to protect them from creases and actually use tissue when rolling the good dresses. 
I label my chargers with my name so none of my children nick them. And I carry them and all the leads in an expandable mesh bag. I also have an old hospital laundry bag to carry my washing. And my dirty knickers – clean knickers, washing bag from Kim.
The other useful tip: I have a largish sunglasses case (sunglasses long time lost) it is big enough to house anything I need while I am marooned in an airplane seat. Lip balm, handkerchief, ear plugs, pen, lotions, passport number, glasses, contacts, peppermints. No-one wants to be the girl who is popping up and down and up and down opening the overhead lockers looking for stuff – observed, in silence, by the Whole Plane. I have everything I need in this little case. It also beats rummaging about in your handbag IN THE DARK. When I sit down I pop it into the front pouch along with my ballet flats, and my book. I stow my bags and my boots above and I am good – leaving myself plenty of leg room. I have long legs. I only every travel in boots. I have this feeling I may need sturdy footwear in case I have to walk home. And I would you know.. walk home. But I take on flats to change into for the long eleven hour flight.
I start out with three books. One for part one of the travel- it is smaller and called a leaver, I leave this book in the airport ladies with a sticky note saying’ swap ya’. I cannot tell you how often I have come back that way two weeks later to find a new book in its place with the same sticky note on it. Swapped and swapped and swapped. The second book is to get me all the way home. This is a keeper and will be given to one of the readers in my family. The third book is for just on case and resides in the suitcase, I can grab it between flights. I HATE to have no book!
I always wear tight socks and take 1/2 an aspirin before take off. I travel in my blackest skinny yoga pants and layers. Sometimes planes are hot, sometimes cold. I have a hand bag (this doubles as a camera bag of course) and my old leather messengers satchel for the lap top, paper, notebooks and books. I no longer carry a cabin bag. The aisles of planes seem to be shrinking!
I carry a large scarf, more of a shawl really for over my head at bed time. Around my shoulders for warmth. Or rolled up as a pillow. 
I leave for New Zealand tomorrow, Jake has started taking over the chores, my hair has had a good cut and I am packing. Can you tell? Bet you have tips for me!
Love, love
your friend
celi
PS The KuneKune breeder has told me to add a little olive oil to Tima’s dinner. It is the winter dry. Her hair will grow back, she said. So all the pigs will now get olive oil once a day. Godot’s black leg is now beige, definitely dirt. Queenie is still fat. Boo had a trial stay at the Matriarch’s and spent the afternoon squished in the Bay Window watching for me to come back from the hairdressers. Ton was grateful for the peace. They visit Nanny every Sunday so it is not a strange place for them.
Yesterday in the Lounge of Comments Paula told us this:
Kitty litter: I started using layer crumbles for kitty litter about two years ago. It clumps perfectly, has no chemicals, and cost around $10 for 50 lb bag here. Get the cheapest crumbles you can find and they work great!
How is that for an excellent tip! I love the Lounge of Comments, it is the seat of all our wonderful learning..right down to kitty litter.
The Kitchen's Garden 
80 responses to “How I travel”
I have travel envy. Long overdue and I am getting antsy. Bon voyage!
I think we’d travel well together! I also carry an eye mask in case they don’t give me one and I used to carry a spray mist thingy when they let us in the past for my face. My mum travels with a rosary and whistle and a teeny tiny mouth organ in case of a crash landing that she survives – she will pray for help and blow her whistle so the rescuers can find her and the mouth organ is to entertain other survivors! Seriously – she is quite possibly a little more bonkers than me 😉
Hi Celi. Thanks for the tips. I’ll be travelling to America next month so i’ve made a metal note! The weather here has been fabulous. The kind of summer you remember as a kid – long, hot, endless blue sky days. Lets hope it stays that way for you. Safe travels. Cheers Sarah : o )
I do the suitcase on the floor for a week prior, and my old ginger cat always tries to pack himself, I have exported ginger cat hair to three continents so far. I travel with three pairs of shoes, black trainers, white trainers and crocs. I buy op shop clothes when I arrive and leave them behind when I’m coming home, leaves room in my bag for my medieval tent you see. 😊 so what if you have an army of beanie babies? I can fit an entire C12th home in my luggage and not go over weight. Coming home…..not so good 😌
Love the ‘leaver’ book, I will do that next time.
You won’t need the ‘warmie’ it’s been 30degC all this past week and nights are stifling. Total fire ban any day now.
Safe travels C.
I love how you travel… distance no barrier ready for anything & everything, and homemade gf lasagna and meatloaf yum 🙂
Boo needs a baby to foster while you are away. Happy safe travelling tomorrow. I’m off to bed early, so I will be ready for the virtual journey!
Wellington has been enjoying some lovely summer weather and the forecast is looking good too…..fingers crossed because we do “changeable” weather here really well, but you know that! It is a huge flowering season for Pohutukawa and Manuka and the wild flowers are thriving every which where at the moment so lots to photograph.
Safe travels!
I’m looking at my packed bags, full with memories of my mom. I used to leave most of my clothes behind knowing that I would come back soon . But now that my mom is gone I’m not so sure when I’m coming back.
Thanks for all your packing tips, I use a small comstic bag for the stuff I need while flying, a scarf is essential and so are socks to keep my feet warm. I also get rid of my boots and wear hotel slippers in the plane that I leave behind .
hotel slippers, that is a good idea! c
And I thought I was a good packer 🙂 ! Always seem to need extra insurance [insecure?] and pack that one extra top and one extra bottom and that extra pair of shoes!! Don’t carry books in any form but always buy a pile of local papers and magazines the moment I get in . . . .happy landings yet again . . . .hope you get to wear dress number one 🙂 !
A lasagna pan!!! That beats all. Had to laugh about your packing & was trying to imagine Beanie Babies with the pan. Hope you have a wonderful trip! The kitties will be grown up when you return.
So happy to hear about Godot’s leg! Yay! Can’t wait to see pictures and hear all about your trip. I use a three part mixture of olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil on my face during the winter…so that certainly makes sense. That’s funny about Boo! What are layer crumbles?
And lastly, at the risk of sounding like a crazy stalker, I have no packing advice as you seem to be the Queen! But I will say, that I just absolutely love everything about you! Have a safe trip ~ April 🙂
Layer crumbles are a chicken feed. You can buy them at the feed store in 50 pound bags for 10 dollars as pellets or crumbles. I will certainly be trying this when i get home though i would much rather the cats all live outside, i am feeling rather over -run!.. c
Have a lovely trip. I had to look up layer crumbles as well. 🙂 We’ll all be here waiting for your return.
Godspeed! Enjoy your time away–and soak up all that warmth! That was a rather unusual list of items to pack. I half-expected the kitchen sink to show up in there. 😉
Bon voyage! Hope you have a marvelous trip. I’m looking forward to the photos as travel is not really something I can do. Safe trip. I wonder how many airplanes it would take if everyone could join you for the trip.
Safe travels Celi ..