Some useful items to pack

(Feel free to skip this post if you're a seasoned traveller - you probably already know about these handy little items.)

Whatever did we do before "Wet Ones" were invented? These in the red packet are the antibacterial variety, and boast that they can kill 99.99% of germs. Now, that's got to be a 'plus' when soap and water might not be on tap every time we need it during the day.

There are other products that will solve this problem too. Until recently the hand sanitiser, "Aqium" (readily available from chemists) was the only liquid you could buy for a quick hand wash when soap and water were scarce, but now the folk at Dettol have produced their own version. I love these - you just squeeze a 10 cent size amount in the palm of your hand and rub both hands together until they're dry. You will find this little wonder in Coles and Woolworths, and it also claims to kill 99.99% of germs.

Perhaps I'm over-cautious, but having previously succumbed to dysentery in a foreign land I'm rather keen to give germs a wide berth!

Both Aquium and Dettol come in 50ml bottles, to keep the airline officials happy if you choose to take yours in your hand luggage. Good one!

I was in Howards Storage World this week and discovered the nifty little travel containers in the "On the Go" range. The lurid pink objects in my photo are covers for your toothbrush and razor, and conveniently come in twos. You'll be relieved to know they do come in other colours!

I was intrigued, though, by the plastic mini-sprayers. As the name suggests, these pump sprays are quite tiny - about 4 1/2 inches tall and 1/2 inch diameter - but perfect for carrying small amounts of perfume, hairspray (just spray a concentrated burst from your big can into it), mouthwash, water, sunscreen etc. Great for the plane trip, since they fall into the legal guidelines, or even to pop in your daypack when we head off on a day's excursion.

Howards has other shapes and sizes of light-weight clear plastic travel containers in the "On the Go" range, some even with pump sprays, so you might find something just right for you.

Finally, Howards has cute little fold-up nylon carry bags that disappear into their own tiny bag and weigh almost nothing. Useful for shopping? Storing dirty clothes until you have a chance to launder them? The MiniMaxi bag costs $4.95 with $2.50 from the sale of each bag going to The Children's Hospital's hospice, Bear Cottage, at Manly.

Happy packing!

[Disclaimer : No brown paper bags, commission or baksheesh has changed hands over the writing of this post!]