Basic essentials...
The most important and essential thing I do before each trip is compile a 'to do' check list and a 'to take' check list so that I don't forget a thing. My partner always moans on how much I fill up the car. Yes there's lots and lots of stuff and usually filled to the brim, but I've learnt what essentials we need for the 'just in case' from years of experience. Every single trip I hear 'why do you need to take this?..'
and then I remind him of the time when he... that usually does the trick. If he had compiled one too he wouldn't have forgotten the...! But don't forget the more overloaded the car is, the heavier it is and the more it costs on petrol. However, you don't need to go mad like I do or pack as light as you would if you were flying...
There's also nothing more satisfying than ticking off a list! As well as these two check lists I also compile an itinerary for each and every road trip we take. It helps to plan ahead and to know where we need to be and by when so that we can make it back in time for our return journey home. It is also helpful to have a 'to do/to see' check list so that we don't forget to visit anything important either. I've listed my check lists below, hopefully these will help you to compile yours too:
and then I remind him of the time when he... that usually does the trick. If he had compiled one too he wouldn't have forgotten the...! But don't forget the more overloaded the car is, the heavier it is and the more it costs on petrol. However, you don't need to go mad like I do or pack as light as you would if you were flying...
There's also nothing more satisfying than ticking off a list! As well as these two check lists I also compile an itinerary for each and every road trip we take. It helps to plan ahead and to know where we need to be and by when so that we can make it back in time for our return journey home. It is also helpful to have a 'to do/to see' check list so that we don't forget to visit anything important either. I've listed my check lists below, hopefully these will help you to compile yours too:
1. What to do/prepare/buy for trip.
2. Essentials to take on trip.
3. What to pack for trip.
4. Itinerary schedule for trip including addresses/directions.
5. Do some research then compile to do/see itinerary for trip including addresses/directions.
6. What household bills to pay/what to switch off when you leave.
So here's my lengthy 'to take' check list: (Of course, some modern cars may have some of these gadgets already installed)
1. Tent - (We learnt our lesson that a tent was a priority item when we unfortunately ran out of petrol one night on one of our trips and had to wait around for a breakdown recovery service. It was 4am, we were in the middle of a rainstorm and stuck on a motorway. Luckily this motorway had a hard shoulder for us to pull into. We had to evacuate the car and climb over the barrier, it was chucking it down and I had a brainwave - let's use and rest in the tent whilst we wait. We ended up falling asleep and the recovery truck didn't show up until 8.30am. This experience confirmed that a tent is an essential item in case of emergencies. We also use it to rest in every now and then when we can't find a suitable hotel anywhere - it surely comes in handy).
2. Sleeping bags/cushions/blankets - when it's slightly cold and we need a rest/kip, we use them in the car or in the tent.
3. Air beds - if you need a good rest and not wanting to stay in a hotel for just a few hours, an airbed is a great solution to use in a tent to make it slightly more comfy.
4. Towels - these are always handy in case you have a shower or fancy a dip on your travels.
5. Wet wipes - I can't live without these. Absolutely handy for everything. A hand sanitiser is ideal too.
2. Essentials to take on trip.
3. What to pack for trip.
4. Itinerary schedule for trip including addresses/directions.
5. Do some research then compile to do/see itinerary for trip including addresses/directions.
6. What household bills to pay/what to switch off when you leave.
So here's my lengthy 'to take' check list: (Of course, some modern cars may have some of these gadgets already installed)
1. Tent - (We learnt our lesson that a tent was a priority item when we unfortunately ran out of petrol one night on one of our trips and had to wait around for a breakdown recovery service. It was 4am, we were in the middle of a rainstorm and stuck on a motorway. Luckily this motorway had a hard shoulder for us to pull into. We had to evacuate the car and climb over the barrier, it was chucking it down and I had a brainwave - let's use and rest in the tent whilst we wait. We ended up falling asleep and the recovery truck didn't show up until 8.30am. This experience confirmed that a tent is an essential item in case of emergencies. We also use it to rest in every now and then when we can't find a suitable hotel anywhere - it surely comes in handy).
2. Sleeping bags/cushions/blankets - when it's slightly cold and we need a rest/kip, we use them in the car or in the tent.
3. Air beds - if you need a good rest and not wanting to stay in a hotel for just a few hours, an airbed is a great solution to use in a tent to make it slightly more comfy.
4. Towels - these are always handy in case you have a shower or fancy a dip on your travels.
5. Wet wipes - I can't live without these. Absolutely handy for everything. A hand sanitiser is ideal too.
6. Water/snacks - these are essential on long trips especially during the summer months. Never let yourself become dehydrated. They also come in handy when you arrive late at your destination and everything is closed.
7. Picnic rugs/cooler bags - when the weather is perfect, it's always good to take some time out from driving to have a rest and enjoy some nice snacks outdoors. It's also an idea to prepare snacks to take on your journey as it can be expensive eating at Service Stations and whilst on the road.
8. Folding chairs - we don't always take these but when we have it has been nice to get them out and sit outside when the weather is nice.
9. Loo paper/tissues - you'll find that not all stop-off's will have loo paper available. It's always handy to take your own in case you ever need it.
10. Mobile phone - we never leave home without one. Funny how we've become so reliant on them but they definitely come in handy in emergencies and staying in touch. Don't forget the chargers (mains/car) - we had the misfortune of both batteries dying during a long trip and needing to make a call.
11. Sat nav - we don't normally use it as we know the way having done the same route for many years now but it sometimes comes in handy.
12. Maps - these are always useful when the sat nav's not working and leading us in the wrong direction.
13. Books - there's nothing like a good read. I love reading and losing myself in a book when I'm the passenger or relaxing on a beach.
14. Music - we take just about everything from cd's to ipods. There's nothing like great music to set your roadtrip mood. We purchased an ipod car stereo adaptor so that we could listen to our old ipod on our trips. Don't forget the chargers (mains/car).
15. Cameras - if I hadn't had a choice of cameras on my trips I wouldn't have been able to fill up this site with all our photos. I never leave the house without one (even if it's just a mobile). Again, don't forget the chargers as well as USB cables in case you need to download whilst travelling. Plus, you should constantly charge your cameras so they are fully charged when you need them.
16. External hard-drives/memory cards - what can be worse than a full memory card when you need to take a piccie. Or not having a replacement or having to delete photos to take some more. Either buy a new card with a big memory capacity or download before you go on your travels and empty the card.
17. Downloads - don't forget to download any apps/movies/music/books you would like to use on your travels before you leave. Using Wi-Fi abroad can be very slow.
18. DVD player/DVDs - this has become an essential for me. I love to catch up on a good movie when I'm not driving. Don't forget the chargers (mains/car).
19. Guide/Phrase books - it's always handy to have new guide books/updates with information about new places you've never been to before which are worth a visit. Plus, a good Phrase book to help you with the local lingo. Do check our 'Languages' page also - hopefully there are a few handy ones.
20. Laptop/tablet - these come in handy when I need to go online whilst on my travels as well as for watching DVDs, uploading photos and acting as a camera. Again, don't forget the chargers (mains/car).
21. Travel adaptors - now these are extremely important to enable you to use your electrical equipment whilst on the continent as the sockets are different to ours.
22. Umbrellas - sometimes just sometimes it just doesn't stop raining during our trips. An umbrella is always handy to have at hand.
23. Comfortable driving clothes - loose clothing, trainers and flip flops always come in handy. Sometimes it's just too hot for jeans, they can be so uncomfortable on long trips. However, during the winter months do wrap up warm with winter clothing.
24. Sun lotion - don't forget the sun lotion especially during summer trips. You may think you're safe from tanning or being burnt inside a car but think again. Your face, arms and legs are still on display - you may end up with a nice stripy look. Sun lotions can last up to 2 years so use up your old bottles instead of spending more money buying new ones.
25. Windscreen sun shade - there's nothing worse than burning your bum and legs on a very hot seat when a car has been out in the heat for hours. We use a sun screen on the windscreen to protect the front seats as well as the steering wheel from the heat, the car also remains much cooler.
26. Torch - it's always handy to have a torch in case you need to use it in the dark (don't forget the batteries & spares). Alternatively, mobiles are also very useful for light if you need it.
27. Games - get some exercise along the way. Take a frisby or a ball and have a play around. Puzzles/suduko are also great for relaxing and working the brain.
28. Bicycles - when we have room we take along our bikes as we do love a good cycle too.
29. Car essentials - car manual, toolkit, air pump, first aid kit, warning triangle, safety vests, spare tyre, breathalyser kit, ice scraper, window cleaner wiper, spare bulbs, travel fire extinguisher, spare oil/coolant bottles, vehicle jack, wheel-nut wrench with extension bar and locking wheel nut adaptor (if fitted). Some of these items have already been mentioned on other pages. These are essential and very important - don't forget them.
30. Medication - sort any medication/medical documents you may need to take with you in good time.
And, finally we cannot forget our mascot friend. We take him everywhere and he keeps us safe - it's monkey of course... accompanied by his little one.
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Photography: beepbeepeurope
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