Topic: Do you prepare?

QUOTE:

The only essentials are 1. cruise tickets and paperwork 2.passports 3.bank and credit cards and money, anything else you have forgotten you can buy! or can you, is there something you pack that is irreplacable? for us it is a stupid little rubber figure about 4inches high that is called 'reindog' because it looks like a dog but with antlers, that I bought my OH about 15 christmas's ago and he used to take it away on business to remind him of me (don't ask!) If I ever go away without him I always find it somewhere in my luggage -aahhh cute hey-:o Carol

Aaaaaaaahhhh. Does OH know that all these secrets are being exposed?

Give him our best, anyway and say we think we understand. Neil and Ida.

QUOTE:

Aaaaaaaahhhh. Does OH know that all these secrets are being exposed?

Give him our best, anyway and say we think we understand. Neil and Ida.

Crikey no!! I have loads more embarrassing anecdotes up my sleeve so I am not letting him on to this site just yet. I will pass on your good wishes though and look forward to bumping into you both again soon..Carolx

We have lists for what we take with us, but how about a list of what not to bring back (you might spot a little help from Gilbert and Sullivan - "The Mikado")

As some day it may happen that a present must be found
I’ve got a little list, I’ve got a little list
Of all those souvenirs which do in every port abound
And they’d none of them be missed, they’d none of them be missed
There’s the five pound Rolex watches and the ten pound Gucci bags
Which are perfect for the ladies who would like to think they’re Wags
There’s jewellery and sunglasses and locally brewed gin
Which tastes as if too much will send you to the loony bin
All sold to you by traders who insistently persist
And they’d none of ‘em be missed, they’d none of ‘em be missed.

There’s the reindeer hides in Norway and the castanets in Spain
I’ve got them on the list, I don’t think they’d be missed
The stuff you fall in love with but it won’t fit on the ‘plane
It never would be missed, it never would be missed
The hat for Auntie Edna and the scarf for Uncle Jim
The chocolates for your mother (yes I know she ought to slim)
The water-colour paintings showing all the local sights
The postcards with the pictures of the city neon lights
The knick-knacks and the trinkets which you never can resist
I don’t think they’d be missed, I’m sure they’d not be missed.

There’s olive oil in Italy and baklava in Greece
They’re also on the list, they never would be missed
The alcohol you try to smuggle past the ship’s police
That isn’t on the list, Oh boy that would be missed
The Venetian mask you buy but never actually use
The model of the ship which will remind you of the cruise
The bottle of Madeira from the year that you were born
The tiny pink bikini which you know will not be worn
It really doesn’t matter what you put upon the list
For they’d none of ‘em be missed, they’d none of ‘em be missed.

....Carol

Often it's not that much of a problem if you forget something and have to buy a replacement.
However, when you pack mobile/camera chargers (so duly crossed off on my packing list) then remove them to put something else in ...... and leave them behind, believe me it's no joke .
Neither is it a joke when we are sitting in the plane, see someone with a video camera like ours and then realise ours is still on the hall table.
In fact I now write the number of cases, bags etc we should be taking and stick it to the front door - so that makes me a first class anorak I presume.

He is something which I have copied from somewhere that might amuse on the Art of Packing:

A-list packing tips that really work
First learn the science of packing. Here are the basics:
• Lay everything out before you pack. Zip or button jackets and shirts as it helps to keep them flat and you can check all the fastenings are working. Pack a few padded hangers, because wire ones could ruin your favourite outfits.
• Pack in layers. Line the base of the case with the pieces you want to keep the flattest; go for trousers and dresses on this layer and pack them with tissue or dry cleaners plastic wrapping. In the middle layer put jackets and tops folded with tissue to reduce the wrinkle factor. Place a layer of bubble wrap and tissue to protect delicate fabrics. Finally, pack heavy things on top to keep everything else in place.
How not to over-pack. Mastering the fine art of taking only what you need.
• Keep a travel notebook with lists of what to take. You can tick it off as you pack your case – and keep your little journal from year to year as a useful reminder of holiday must-haves.
• Make a note of holiday outfits that work. Liven up a few simple outfits with belts and baubles and light wraps, so you won’t feel the need to pack all 10 pairs of your trousers, and 14 tops...!
How to fly like you’re in First, and what to take in your hand luggage.
• Long-haul travellers should think of their seat on like a bedroom. Bring everything you need to make it comfy. Include a soft pillow scented with linen spray, tea-tree oil spray for warding off germs, warm socks, facial wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste. NB Don’t forget your toothbrush cover! You don’t want fluff on your toothbrush at 30,000 feet. Take ginger capsules for a natural travel-sickness remedy.
• To beat jetlag, the trick is to book a flight that lets you sleep while it’s night time in your destination.
More packing genius... Other things you might not have thought of.
• Leave an empty corner of your suitcase (easier said than done, but have a go). Fill with bubblewrap and so you will have somewhere to put your souvenirs and holiday bargains on the way home.
• The A-list secretly swear by perspiration pads which you can stick under the arms of your favourite dress to stop nasty sweat stains. Find them in the lingerie department of a department store.
• Take scented body oil rather than perfume. It lasts longer in a hot climate.
Tuck a USB stick with scans of essential documents (including travel insurance documents, and your passport), and keep it separate from all your important documents, in case of emergencies.
I like the last bit about a memory stick, I think I will use that. .....Neil

QUOTE:

We have lists for what we take with us, but how about a list of what not to bring back (you might spot a little help from Gilbert and Sullivan - "The Mikado")

As some day it may happen that a present must be found
I’ve got a little list, I’ve got a little list
Of all those souvenirs which do in every port abound
And they’d none of them be missed, they’d none of them be missed
There’s the five pound Rolex watches and the ten pound Gucci bags
Which are perfect for the ladies who would like to think they’re Wags
There’s jewellery and sunglasses and locally brewed gin
Which tastes as if too much will send you to the loony bin
All sold to you by traders who insistently persist
And they’d none of ‘em be missed, they’d none of ‘em be missed.

There’s the reindeer hides in Norway and the castanets in Spain
I’ve got them on the list, I don’t think they’d be missed
The stuff you fall in love with but it won’t fit on the ‘plane
It never would be missed, it never would be missed
The hat for Auntie Edna and the scarf for Uncle Jim
The chocolates for your mother (yes I know she ought to slim)
The water-colour paintings showing all the local sights
The postcards with the pictures of the city neon lights
The knick-knacks and the trinkets which you never can resist
I don’t think they’d be missed, I’m sure they’d not be missed.

There’s olive oil in Italy and baklava in Greece
They’re also on the list, they never would be missed
The alcohol you try to smuggle past the ship’s police
That isn’t on the list, Oh boy that would be missed
The Venetian mask you buy but never actually use
The model of the ship which will remind you of the cruise
The bottle of Madeira from the year that you were born
The tiny pink bikini which you know will not be worn
It really doesn’t matter what you put upon the list
For they’d none of ‘em be missed, they’d none of ‘em be missed.

....Carol

Did you pen this, Carol? As a G & S lover, I really like it. I've added my own pathetic verse below:

There’s the never-ending photos that they hang up in the hall
They’re also on the list, they never would be missed
You can put them in a frame or you can put them on the wall
Your partner might insist but they really won’t be missed
There’s the snaps of you embarking where you’re standing on the pier
And the snaps of you at dinner where you’re quite the worse for beer
Then there’s snaps of you in Nassau with a pirate at your side
And a snap of you in Funchal being taken for a ride
They cost a fair old fortune but I really must insist
That they’d none of them be missed

Hi Bosscat, yes we went to see a fantastic production of the Mikado produced and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood ( do you get 'Strictly Come Dancing,?) called 'Hot Mikado' and I was still buzzing from that, got on a bit of a roll and there you are!
You verse is not pathetic it is really good, perhaps we should become entertainment managers on our ship and introduce G & S nights with a difference-we will re write it!! 'Pirates of Penzance' would be a good place to start.. Look out G&S, B&C are the new kids on the block..Carol

I haven't seen that version of Mikado, carol but I've seen a few 'straight' ones in my time, including the marvellous Jonathan Miller version at the Coliseum in London. Mikado's my favourite, though I love Pirates and Pinafore too. We went to the Buxton G & S festival this year and did the last night, which was a professional production of Pirates and possibly the best version I've seen (and I saw Tim Curry as the pirate King at Drury Lane in the early 80s).
I agree that we could do something worth seeing with a G & S theme - it would certainly beat some cruise ship shows I've seen in the past!

QUOTE:

Did you pen this, Carol? As a G & S lover, I really like it. I've added my own pathetic verse below:

There’s the never-ending photos that they hang up in the hall
They’re also on the list, they never would be missed
You can put them in a frame or you can put them on the wall
Your partner might insist but they really won’t be missed
There’s the snaps of you embarking where you’re standing on the pier
And the snaps of you at dinner where you’re quite the worse for beer
Then there’s snaps of you in Nassau with a pirate at your side
And a snap of you in Funchal being taken for a ride
They cost a fair old fortune but I really must insist
That they’d none of them be missed

As someone who once performed in the chorus of The Mikado and Iolanthe I too appreciated the words penned, well done one and all. .....Neil

Neil, I am suprised you were only in the chorus you would make a perfect 'Modern Major General'..:DCarolx