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UK Travel

OK - time to share your top holiday tips

11 replies

Clary · 06/08/2007 12:52

Just back from 2 wks self-catering in UK (did ya miss me? didya didya?) and would like to share these thoughts:

Get a Tesco (or similar - but Tesco do deliver pretty much everywhere) order delivered for the afternoon you arrive including fresh stuff and basic groceries too

Sort out the clothes to take and then halve the number - DD had 4 dresses when one would have done

Cottage MUST have washing machine (see above)

Colouring sheets from internet will amuse small children (well, mine) for hours on a rainy morning and don't take up much space. Top Trumps ditto.

Take any kitchen essentials you simply MUST have - blender, favourite knife, giant lasagne dish - or am I the only person who actually cooks on holiday?

Worth buying local paper for details of any interesting events (shows, carnivals etc).

Do a last wash the day before you leave - massively reduces washload on arrival home (still loads of irnong tho

Don't iron while on holiday (no, even I don't!)

Anyone any more?

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LIZS · 06/08/2007 13:35

I put my update on the "what to take thread"

"...things I wish I'd taken - olive oil , all purpose spray cleaner , j- cloth, ketchup/mayo, garlic, basic dried herbs, maybe a few stock cubes, ie. the sort of things you won't get through in a week if you buy again and either cart home or leave for cleaners/next guests. Otherwise be organised and get local shop/supermarket to deliver essentials and bulky items(loo roll and kitchen towel plus nappies if required). We'd organised necessities for the first night ahead anyway, not knowing what time we'd arrive, but found we were left tea supplies out for our arrival "

There were communal washing machines (about 3 iirc) and dryers with powder available, which I thought was fine even though we didn't need to use them as we only went for a week. Lack of indoor drying space was a bit of a pain for us. Find out what you can borrow there - ours had supplies of buckets, spades, body boards, fishing nets etc saving room in the car.

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Gingerbear · 06/08/2007 13:41

no UK tips, as we are off to Majorca on Saturday.

Will be packing two suitcases only for 4 of us, plus 1 backpack for on board plus buggy.

Last year we took FAR too many clothes - when all we really needed was extra cossies, old tees for snorkling in sunhat and suncream.

A portable DVD is useful for airport delays and long car journeys.

PS, welcome back Clary, hope you had a great time.

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Clary · 06/08/2007 13:44

GB yes it was fab thanks

That's v true abotu clothes, we spend most of the fortnight in wetsuits anyway so even a pair of pants might be worn just for a few hours!

Still would need a washer even for a week tho (have messy kids maybe? or not many clothes - and what about beach towels and swimsuits?)

Have a nice time GB (make sure you do nothign except sit and BF) and don't let DS get too hot!

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roisin · 06/08/2007 13:48

Give your children a reasonable sized bag/case/trolley/rucksack.

Give them a strict list of clothes to pack - 5 pr pants, 5 T-shirts, etc.

Then any spare space they have in their bag they can fill with books, toys, games, etc.

As well as easing the packing burden, it also means 'forgotten' items are their fault, not yours!

Research possibile outings/activities/walks/routes on the internet before you go.

If going somewhere remote that Tescos don't deliver, make sure you leave enough room in the car to stock up at the supermarket en route.

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roisin · 06/08/2007 13:52

My expectations from cottages has gone up btw. For me a washing machine, tumble drier, and dishwasher are pretty much essential. Real fire is very desirable too (we don't have one at home).

We cook every day on holiday, and d/w lightens the burden.

W/m and drier means packing can be more minimalistic, and you don't have a mountain of laundry to face when you get back.

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Gingerbear · 06/08/2007 13:52

Oh, I fully intend to do nothing, Clary. Beach towels are a PITA - I use sarongs for lying on and take smaller towels for drying off. I think the hotel might even have poolside towels to use. Luckily we are at an aparthotel with kids club, entertainment, and swimming lessons booked for DD. I suspect we may not venture very far from the pool all holiday.

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roisin · 06/08/2007 13:53

Where did you go Clary? Sounds like Cornwall or Pembrokeshire?

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macmama73 · 06/08/2007 14:09

We went on a self catering holiday with my parents and Dad cooked 3 or 4 meals before leaving that just needed reheated. Steak pie, Lasagne, Hotpot, etc. It saved time and he used tinfoil baking trays so we didn't even have to wash up.

I washed everything the day before we left, as they had huge washer/dryers where everything went in one machine. It would have taken me ages to do that at home. Would not iron on holiday though.

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Clary · 06/08/2007 14:09

hello roisin yes South pembs have posted looooong post on yr thread

yes dishwasher is good thing on hols even tho I hate them really.

GB that's fab then with the beach towels at the hotel. have a super time!

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LIZS · 06/08/2007 15:30

Must be a real sloven Don't wash beach towels on holiday - peg them out to dry and remove the sand, rinse swimsuits and hang out.

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Clary · 06/08/2007 15:32

Oh no not slovenly!

But ours get so so sandy and manky. I am a bit of a towel-maniac actually, and clearly something of a washer-aholic, even on hols!

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