What the Edwardian Ladies DIDN'T Take!

Pre travel jitters and packing  both in full swing, and I've just been musing on some of the things that are going into my bag that would have been totally alien to the luggage of our 1906 ladies (I say "our" because I know that their story is being so enthusiastically followed by so many of you who read these pages).

For instance, what would they have thought of my electric hairdryer? my mobile phone? My laptop? The iPod? The GPS system, for heaven's sake?? OK, OK - I know the GPS is really cheating - but  believe me, Liz and I will still have NO difficulty in getting lost - we are quite accomplished in the art, and I believe it is a requirement to get lost on a regular basis in Venice!

It's just that we have to find our way back to our apartment at close on Midnight on our first night there (after the opera) and, well, we don't want to end up in a canal quite that soon!

And, of course, the digital camera, most important item of all, is not in the picture - because it is in my hand, taking the photo!

Here's the outfit for high tea at the hotel - it looks prettier "in real life"....I will wear it with a cream, low cut top underneath. (I originally typed "udderneath" - is that Freudian, or what?!).

The very versatile black cord skirt actually has a figured pattern embroidered all over in the same black (it looks lighter here because of the flash) - it's the only skirt in my wardrobe that I am taking, so it will have to do duty on several occasions. I'm a black trousers gal for the rest of thetime (Thanks Be for black trousers on big bums!)

One other thing that might not be quite so obvious in my suitcase, is S*P*A*C*E....I have upgraded to the next size suitcase from the one that was "just right" - because I realised that I had easily got everything in that I wanted to take , but left no space for "stuff" - and if there is one reason that we are going to Venice, it is "acquisition of "stuff" (all those decluttering at the moment, turn the other way!)

I find inexpensive net bags (made to stop your socks getting lost in the washing machine) are invaluable when travelling (see one on the right hand corner) - socks, tights, and underwear will all be organised in half a dozen of those, and for most versatility of all, a selection of pashminas in different colours - what did we do before they appeared on the fashion scene? But the all encompassing shawl/scarf/wrap IS surely something that our Ladies *would* have known, don't you think?

So tell me, what are the items that YOU would not travel without?

Comments

[Britt-Arnhild]

I can not travel without my books, my camera, my travel diary, credit card and toothbrush. :-)
I am also going on Friday, must leave home at 4.30am, and I have not started to think of packing yet. Can you please come over and help me.......

[Helen]

Can I just say, I totally agree about the net bags - take lots! I travelled from UK to Australia in August on the day the terrorism scare blew up. I couldn't take hand luggage... but I was travelling with my (then) 8-month-old baby. It was a nightmare. The clear plastic bags they gave me disintegrated almost immediately and if it wasn't for the net bag I had for the nappies I wouldn't have managed. I got some very strange looks in the airport, though, lugging pushchair, milton bucket, baby, and an enormous bulging net bag...

Chewing gum is another thing I never fly without. I *never* usually chew chewing gum, but it is a big help if your ears suffer from the pressure changes while flying.

I often wonder what people from a past century would think of all our gadgets nowadays. I'm sure they would love MP3 players and mobile phones!

[Rowan]

I love the outfit for the tea event - it looks really elegant. Black trousers are great aren't they - always flattering and can be dressed up or down. Hope you have a wonderful time and find lots of 'stuff'to fill the empty spaces in your case!

[ardi]

Pashminas - I have never heard the term. Of course, you already know I am not the "height of fashion" diva. Love your packing. If you ever need replacement parts for the GPS let me know. Phil had one identical to it, but the bear bit into it. I'm sure the parts, for the most part, are still usable. Bon Voyage!

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

And now I know you are even more famous because you're going to be on the radio! The ladies definitely would not have taken all the electronics, of course, but I imagine they had cutting-edge things of their own time, wouldn't you? I love your high tea dress--and I so look forward to hearing about the adventure. I love pashminas, too, and I love those little net bags, but I also love just plain old zip-locks in all sizes. What do you do with your dirty clothes as you go along? Have a great trip--cause I see a book and a play here.