The list of unusual items made an interesting read.
A short while ago I was sat on a train, which unexpectedly broke down some 4 miles from the nearest station. As we were shunted into a side-line so as not to cause any danger on the main line, we were told we would have to wait around an hour before a rescue train could arrive.
My partner and I decided not to engage in the almost obligatory game of “I Spy” for fear of being told to shut up by a carriage of very angry fellow travellers. So we started talking about our upcoming holidays. When I as usual stated I was taking the travel kettle (I cannot be without my cup of tea whenever I fancy one), a lady next to us added “oh I always take a kettle with me, plus a bag of English tea bags”. When I told her I always did the same, another passenger told me her Mother always took an emergency survival pack with her, in case the plane crashed in a jungle or on the side of a mountain somewhere.
I always take a walking stick with me and fake a limp, so I can jump the queues.
Before the days of the airlines confiscating anything remotely larger than eyebrow tweezers, she said she packed waterproof matches, a fire-flint and a hip-flask of petrol just in case she had difficulty lighting a fire! Gone are such days now. It made me wonder though. as I asked out loud, what are the most unusual items that Brits take with them on holiday with them? Very quickly, a group of around 25 passengers were chipping in with their tales and items. They stayed with me, and so here is a flavour of the most unusual items.
- An electric toaster. The person didn’t like much ‘foreign food’ and said she could always pop down to a shop for a loaf of bread and a jar of jam, and not starve.
- The front from a pair of old spectacles with large rounded glass discs glued onto them. This was to put in a bowl of water, to keep mosquitos away – apparently, they see large bug type eyes reflecting up at them and don’t land for fear of being gobbled up.
- A ‘Fake ID’ card done with photoshop, just in case they are pursued by police after a mad boozy night out.
- A disposable walking stick (is there such a thing?), so that when going to the long queues outside tourist destinations in Paris, the person limped a bit, said they couldn’t stand for long, and was rushed to the disabled and priority entrance in front of the hundreds of people, waiting to get into the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame etc. Very cheeky. A smaller suitcase actually packed inside their travelling suitcase, to ensure their clothes and contents don’t become moist from the plane’s altitude temperature.
- One young lady said she always packs a small ‘rounders bat’, in case anyone uninvited tries to get into her hotel room late at night.
- Plenty of items from Poundland (such as makeup kits, toothbrush packs, soaps, paracetamol and toothpaste, to take as gifts for maids, waiters and bar staff at hotels in Cuba, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. These items are so expensive as to be beyond luxury for the ordinary people. By giving out some of the above, she told me she and her husband are treated like royalty throughout their holiday. (we like this one!)
- A bag of soil from their garden in case they find any interesting plant cuttings or seeds (best not let HM Customs know that one at the airport – such items are strictly controlled regarding import!
- Joyce from Halifax told me she always packs an old duvet cover and a couple of old pillowcases, just in case the ones in the hotel are a bit itchy.
- Martin from York told me he always takes a four inch piece of soft wood tree stick. in case he forgets his toothbrush, so he can ruffle the end up and use it to brush his teeth.
Do you pack any unusual things to take with you? Let us know and there will be a £10 M&S gift voucher for the best reply.
