A Really Big Shoe

One of the major packing considerations for this trip has been shoes. I don't want to pack too many but I don't want to find myself wishing I had packed a particular pair. I am considering the following:

My Steve Madden Moccasins are my first consideration for comfort while flying. Although they are useless in rain, snow sleet or any other adverse conditions, these are total comfort. I plan to wear these on my long flights across the Atlantic. They slip on and off easily and feel like house slippers. So these are a GO!

The smooshy black flats by Rocket Dog. I figure I need one pair of quasi-dressy shoes for any event that might require the black slacks. These are so comfortable yet practical. So we have the dress-up department covered.

Of utmost importance is the rain shoe. Considering that it rains two thirds of the month of March, these are a must for those days that we will be sloshing around in the rain. They are warm, they are comfortable and they are waterproof. Yep, these are a definite GO!

Of course, you have to have tennis shoes, especially a pair that matches all your turquoise!

For serious walking, nothing beats Merrell's. So the brown Merrells with the furry lining provide warmth and comfort for those long touring days when the weather is cool. Not to mention they provide some waterproofing for stomping through wetlands.

Back to the hotel room for total comfort, these marvelous Daniel Green's are just what the doctor ordered to rest my weary tourista feet. Not to mention they slip on easily in case of fire!

So now I am trying to sort through my shoes and make decisions about that. I want to take four pair with me, but which ones can I do without? Decisions, decisions....continue.

What To Pack Part 1

Now that there are less than thirty days before we head to Europe, the packing shall ensue. Listening to those in the know, the weather should be in the 40's and 50's F and wet, wet, wet. I read somewhere that the region has rain approximately 20 of the 31 days of March. I am fortunate to have friends who have made this trip and they have been kind enough to share their packing experience with me. So the grasshopper needs to listen and choose wisely.

The biggest decision has been the suitcase. Not the carry-on, the checked bag. When one is packing for a 22 day trip where the weather can range from warm to freezing, one must consider this very carefully. Layering will definitely be the way to go, so we have to pack the layers. After a great deal of consideration, my dear friend, Connie, loaned me her big military style bag, which isn't heavy, a major consideration with those weight limits.

 

This marvelous bag also has tons of pockets as well as the major necessities...a variety of handles...

 

and balanced, sturdy wheels.

 

The next item for consideration is the carry-on. It must be lightweight and easy to handle...

 

with spinner wheels for easy manipulation.

 

The next consideration is the bag or purse. Since I am a photography nut, this will be my combination of camera bag/purse. I had this custom made for me and I couldn't be more pleased.

 

It has tons of INSIDE pockets for anything I might want to carry, as well as lenses, batteries, chargers, SD cards and the like.

 

Of course, the universal converter set is a necessity if you have things that need charged...

 

The makeup bag really isn't all that important to me because, well, I rarely wear the stuff, so a nice bag for my jewelry and toiletries that can fit easily in the carry-on is what I wanted.

 

No job is finished until the paperwork is done, so I have a decent selection of paper items that I plan to bring along with me.

 

Our initial destination is London, England and we will be spending four days unaccompanied (SCARY) and doing the off the beaten track type of things. So this is a necessity...

 

I am a huge fan of Rick Steves and I think he has the inside track on just about everything for European travel. By dropping his name at our first hotel, we got a nice 10% discount. So another item that will be very useful is this great book...

 

And when we get to Dublin, there is a day for exploring and we will utilize this...

 

 

One of the most important things that we will be using and distributing, the itinerary...

 

Two of the major things that are needed are the passport and the method of carrying and protecting it.

 

 

No passport, no travel, no nothing...keep in plastic around neck when traveling.

 

 

VERY small cross body bag for priority items, including passport.

 

 

Although I'm not taking much in the jewelry department, I have to have my priority jewelry for Crufts.

 

 

For the HOUND day, it will by my Sarah Snavely pendant on one of my wonderful beaded necklaces from Renee Kirchen at Midnight Sun Beading...

 

 

And for TOY day, it will be my lovely IG pendant, again on a wonderful beaded necklace from Midnight Sun Beading...

 

 

Other jewelry items To Be Determined.

Part 2 of my packing blog will be the clothing, still a work in progress!

 

The countdown is ON!