Travel Tips

Several bits and pieces find themselves included in my packing for road trips. Stuff that I doubt too many of us carry. Imbued with the Scout motto: "Be Prepared", I suppose?
For example: One folding, high-visibility reflective hazard warning triangle of the type sometimes seen behind trucks broken down on the side of the road. I purchased this in France to meet the requirement to carry one there many years ago. That is still the law, I know. However, it weighs 2 kilos and is big. I've stopped carting it on o/s trips but it is always in my car boot at home.
On o/s trips, I take 3 plastic rulers with reflective tape stuck on them. Holes are drilled in each ruler so it can be bolted with little round red reflectors (used on bike mudguards) to form a triangle. Also carry a couple of metres of hi-visibility fluro pink or orange plastic tape & a combination torch/strobe light (designed for marine use). An alternative could be the red flashing L.E.D. lights designed for cyclists.(I carry one of those as well seeing I get to ride a bike on holidays quite often). I'm sure I could build my own road-side hazard warning with those bits if ever needed. Disabled cars often get tail-gated because there is no advance warning. Giving first aid to people on the road side is another situation where the hazard warning would be required.
Another item carried is a high vis fluro over-jacket. Mandatory in France. It must be carried inside the vehicle : not the boot.
I ride a bike to get the baguettes in France. Cyclists are required to wear a CE approved hi-vis jacket outside urban areas, night or day, whenever visibility is poor. Failure to do so could result in a 35 Euro spot fine.
Other marine devices in my kit: one whistle, plastic, pea-less. Should attract attention if needed.
One water-proof plastic hang-round-your-neck pack for keeping valuables secure in situations we often meet ie getting on/off small boats. Also, I have a more skin-friendly open-weave one to keep passport&money secure in big city situations - Madam prefers money-belt type.

As noted on my Australia page, sun is a big nuisance when driving in Australia & elsewhere. I carry light weight sun shades for car windows that stick on with suction cups. Also my personal gear includes SunProtectionFactor 50 plus gloves and a long sleeve of the same material .

Don't forget a copy of Simpson & Day - Field Guide to the Birds of Australia for Aussie road trips. We have an equivalent bird book for use in Europe as well.
I always carry a blank CD,DVD. Avid F-One watchers we can get the race recorded at the motel/hotel to watch next day or load photos onto the media.

During road trips both at home and O/S we carry drinks, yogurt & other perishables in an insulated soft pack. Stowing water bottles in the freezer section of motel fridge provides ice for the next day!
My Scottish heritage precludes me from paying through the nose for breakfast at most accom. We take disposable dishes & cutlery & vegie peeler for our orange juice, muesli/yoghurt & fresh fruit breakfasts. Also self-cater every second lunch as well. Money saved goes on dinner & wine at a better than average place at night.
The Cooler Bag is usually filled with my electronics stuff during the packing stage and easily fits into the checked luggage....I usually have sticker with contents on the inside of the cooler lid which is left open just in case security wish to check it. (looks a bit daggy these days- time for a new one?) Also in the photo - light weight mittens with a sun protection factor of 50 plus provide uv protection when driving & playing in the sun. I'm big on avoiding sun if possible - see my Australia Page & see Warnings Tips on Roads on State of Qld page.
Also have an insulated cover for 600ml 'sports bottle' with carry strap to take walking. Suits the 600ml water bottles commonly purchased everywhere. You can not drink too much water folks!!(Actually you can!! but who drinks enough water anyway. Dehydration can be a problem.)

If we are hiring a car, even in foreign countries, we take our own basic First Aid Kit - 2 triangular bandages, 2 wound dressings, 2 compression bandages, assorted shape/sizes of band-aid-style plasters, small roll of cling wrap (excellent wound dressing), light weight mouth-to-mask device for resuscitation. In France a First Aid Kit in the car is Mandatory.

For road trips in Aust., the kit is more comprehensive. In remote areas, bag type resuscitator in included. By the way, A First Aid Course with CPR makes you a more valuable citizen - especially if the life you save is mine!

Planning the Dream of a Lifetime road trip around Australia? From Cairns to Sydney perhaps? Check generic tips on such road trips on my Australia Intro page: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/ae2c2/c48/

For general tips on Driving Dangers( especially on inland roads in Australia):
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/ae2c2/c4d/8/

Do you anticipate visiting Fraser Island? Check out the info on driving:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/ae2c2/1ca112/
look at Moreton Island via the link.

Be aware that there are restrictions on the carriage of fruit and vegetables from fruit fly infected areas to fly-free areas of Australia. Be aware of Phylloxera if visiting vineyards in Oz…..Check: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/ae2c2/c4c/8/