I am travelling on Sunday to Ireland, and it’s the first time I have been anywhere since - goodness, maybe the last time I was in Ireland - some 12 years ago.

I am out of practice. I couldn’t remember where the suitcases were, then when I found them, they were a bit grubby, sad and deflated looking, like an old forgotten toy in the back of the wardrobe. I agonised over which one to take - soft or hard, big or small. Going to a definitely colder and wetter country means jumpers and sturdy shoes – then I remembered the only footwear I had were trainers and flipflops, so had to buy some proper waterproof shoes, (at least they will come in handy for dog-walking when I get back).

I am a firm believer in lists, and this trip is no exception. Two columns long already. I can’t believe how much ‘stuff’ I need on a daily basis, from stuff for showering, cleaning, dressing, and electronics to keep in touch with the world - batteries for this, tissues for that, etc. As if where I am going is outer Mongolia or somewhere where I can only get camel dung for anything. Frequent travellers probably have it all off to a fine art, but my spare bedroom is full of stuff I might take, half of which I can probably talk myself out of taking at all if I can be brutal.

Rules for travelling

There are rules to be followed for travelling. For instance, if flying, you are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule. (As if I am going to measure out my face cream).

Then there is the recommended 333 method for packing - three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes, then mix and match for at least nine different outfits or 27 different looks if you're counting the various shoe options, too. (surely that can’t be enough – and they didn’t even mention the underwear!).


Then the documents – passports, ID cards, cash, cards, boarding passes, driving licence (is it still in date?), car rental documents, Airbnb receipt – will I even have enough room for anything else? Do I take a book, or my Kindle, or that magazine I haven’t had time to read yet? Glasses, a pen, device leads, adapter plug, scales for weighing luggage because I know I will bring back more than I will take….

Duty-Free

I have a suspicion this doesn’t exist any more for travel inside the EU. I think they still have shops, but probably there is no difference in price any more. But can I still buy a bottle of decent Portuguese wine on my way through? I will need a drink by the time I have lugged all this stuff from the car to the airport, on the plane, off the other end, into a car, and navigated myself through long-forgotten territory!

Travelling light

I used to travel quite often and could manage a few days away with just a cabin bag, but one time, I definitely made the error of bringing back more than would fit in. But I was wearing a real waterproof jacket with loads of internal pockets and a gap around the back for hiking necessities, so I stuffed every pocket and gap with underwear, socks and t-shirts, to the extent I was waddling and looked like I was about to self-combust. I wouldn’t have wanted to sit next to me on the flight - I definitely had some ‘overhang’ blocking someone else’s elbow room!

Author

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan