Travelling

• Plan ahead, for example, pack warm clothes if cold aggravates your overuse injury.
• Identify where you want to stay, the activities you want to do, your methods of transport and the assistance you need. Choices range from a fully catered cruise where you get off at each destination to go sightseeing (minimum effort meals, activities, housekeeping, transport and childcare) to back-packer style hostel and coach travel trips (self-sufficient meal purchase, preparation, activities, bed-making, repeated packing and unpacking and luggage handling) or even camping.
• Schedule yourself extra time (for rest or to fit in your activities when able). You could finalise plans and book outings if you find your medical condition isn’t a barrier.
• Use luggage you can easily manage, light and with wheels and so on.
• Leave lots of time to make transfers, move your luggage and stretch and move around. Travel light. Consider mailing some of your luggage or purchases home.
• Take quick-drying clothes that you can hand wash and drip-dry.
• Let the plane and train carriers know in advance that you will need assistance.

Checklists

If you are going on a trip there are many things to organise and it can be very helpful to put together a check-list of things you need to do.

Early actions

• Book accommodation.
• Find someone to look after pets.
• Use information maps and guides to plan the trip.
• If travelling by public transport, book travel and any transfers.
• If travelling by car, book in for a pre-holiday technical check at NRMA or equivalent.
• Book car service. Check spare tyre.
• Organise travel insurance.
• Arrange for watering of garden and indoor plants.
• Check that you can manage your luggage (pack light)

Security Arrangements

• Stop newspapers/mail.
• Ask neighbours to collect junk mail.
• Stop milk and periodic deliveries.
• Leave contact addresses and phone numbers with neighbours.
• Check door and window locks.

Departure day

• Take perishables out of fridge.
• Dispose of garbage.
• Lock windows and doors.
• Turn off lights and unneeded power points.
• Turn on any security devices.

Items to take a on journey

• First aid kit, medication and treatment aids like a heat pack.
• Toiletries.
• Sunscreen.
• Camera/film or video camera.
• Comfortable walking gear.
• Sun glasses/hats.
• Books/magazines/games/music.
• Maps.
• Electric torch batteries.
• Corkscrew/bottle opener/can opener.
• Picnic blanket and large plastic sheet.
• Garbage bags.
• Carry bag/back-pack for small items.
• Phone and address details for family, friends and neighbours.
• Special equipment for the specific location, such as swimsuits or cold weather gear.
• Snacks for the trip.
• Your favourite drink.
• Bed-linen, towels, laundry powder if un-serviced accommodation.

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