Welcome back!

I wasn’t really looking forward to Christmas this year – mainly because I was being bullied about what gifts I’d like from all directions and I really didn’t have a clue!! I think most people saw it as awkwardness but in all honesty I couldn’t think of a single thing. The problem with having decided to go travelling is that Christmas came right in the middle of the awkward “limbo” time – having not yet set a date or booked tickets but on the other hand we had decided we were definitely going….so…what do you buy for someone who is….

a) Leaving the country for 12+ months and so could probably do without the usual clothes and shoes

b) Moving out of their house so has no need for towels, home furnishings or general nik-nak gifts

c) will only be here for 6 or so months before leaving -so what would normally be a really useful gift will be sat around in my parents garage for the entire time we’re travelling.

So, these are my top (received) travelling related Christmas gifts of 2008 (those I can remember at least – I have an amazing ability to forget what I got as soon as things are put away, don’t mistake this for ungratefulness, I just have a rubbish memory)!!

To Jen….Love Jamie

99L rucksack – which would appear rather large but, as I discovered on Christmas Day, can be shortened easily so it’s not so huge! It has waterproof sections and all-sorts – I never thought I’d be excited about such a gift!! (It’s blue in case you were wondering).

To Jen….Love Mum & Dad

Acer Aspire One Netbook / Mini-Laptop (also conveniently in blue!). My normal laptop would be a bit of a

pain to take away as it is normal size and a bit obvious – it would probably be easily damaged as well as it’d be difficult to pack it well because of the size. The Aspire One is perfect for travelling – tiny and basic! Although it’s probably not the most durable (like a Tough Book) and probably wouldn’t stand many knocks but it’s size makes it perfect to pack in between clothes and it’s also quite discreet (it’s the same size as some of my books). Only time will tell whether I decide to take it with us (at the moment it’s very shiny and new – but by the time we go it might not seem so precious!)

To Jen….Love Julie (my sister)

Western Digital 320gb Hardrive (glossy red) – excellent item and perfect partner for the mini-laptop. I have an external hardrive from a few years ago but it’s not really a portable size and has to be plugged in to the mains when in use. The WD is actually smaller than my purse and connects via a single USB port.

Other handy gifts included a small wind-up torch, sleeping bag liners, extra absorbent towels (which I’ve heard mixed reviews about), multi plug adapter (first one I’ve seen with an Ipod plug!!), camel pack and SD memory cards!

To find prices for these or similar items click below…