Packing Light Challenge

Kathleen,

If you have most of those items on hand already, my suggestion would be to just check your luggage when you travel (it's not really that bad). Buying in the U.K. is most likely going to be VERY expensive!

Happy travels!

Kathleen, I am no doubt jinxing myself even as I type this, but I've traveled to Scotland 9 times and have always checked my bag. I take photography equipment that must be checked and I have some big old hiking boots and walking sticks that have to be checked. So far, so good on this procedure for me! BTW my flights have even been connections. One of them involved 4 legs and 5 stops. But, I don't book tight connections! This doesn't mean that I travel heavy. I still use a carry one size roll aboard. What you might want to do is have one bigger suitcase that includes this extra stuff and go carry on with your clothes etc. Pam

PS. I will think about you if disaster strikes in my next trip. ; )

Kathleen,

I always check my bag even though I could technically carry it on. I just always make sure that I bring a change of clothes and important items on the plane in case my bag is lost. So I would suggest that you check what you cannot carry. I have had my bag lost a number of times, but it has always caught up with me. I should say that I've never had my bag lost between the US and London.

Also gear is expensive in the UK, so it will be cheaper to bring from home.

Kathleen, I found your post intriguing. I had to Google BTCV to read more. It sounds fascinating! Ever since I heard "Rick on Radio" talk with a woman who volunteered on various projects such as rebuilding in Italy, I have wanted to find something like this. What a way to experience a culture AND make a contribution. Good for you and your daughter!

Thanks to everyone for easing my fears about checking a bag; we do have one connection through Heathrow but then are in Edinburgh for several days, in case we have bad luck and need to let our bag catch up with us.
Terry, thanks for your support! We were originally thinking about doing a Habitat for Humanity Global Village build, but the ones I looked at were about $2000 plus airfare for each of us, whereas our week in Lincolnshire is more like $200. [Of course the steel-toed shoes are another $100...] Our team is 10 people and I'm hoping most of them will be Brits- another benefit of BTCV instead of Habitat. The National Trust and National Trust for Scotland also had some very interesting working vacations, but nothing that daughter and I could do together this summer; we may try next year after she turns 18.

Kathleen, I am absolutely going to look into this program! Last night I told my husband that sometime when we go to Europe for a vacation, I might want to hang around for a month or so longer and do volunteer work (he always has to rush back to work). He thought it sounded like an excellent idea. The price is really good and maybe those boots will look great later on with a little black dress...! best of luck and I would LOVE to hear about your experiences when you return. I am sure my 16 and 20 year old daughters would also love to join me. Maybe we will try to work it out after a college study in Europe semester. What a great, creative way to make the world a better place.

Hi Kathleen,

Another voice hoping you come back after the trip and let us know how you like the BTCV experience. I think I would like to try it, too!

Thanks.

Kathleen,

No worries about those checked bags judging from our experience! We moved our daughter to St Andrews via Edinburgh along with seven (!) giant rolling suitcases (we were allowed to share one) Of course, we had to pay overages for weight, but the shipping cost would have been far more outrageous. I would bring all my gear; prices are very high in the UK. We did find great bargains (and fun) rummaging in "charity shops" such as tableware, pots and pans. Have a wonderful time with your trip and your project! It sounds great!

If you really don't want to buy everything you can buy some of that stuff cheaply. You can buy towels very cheaply in many shops (Primark and the supermarkets especially). Pillows and even sleeping bags can be bought cheaply at Argos (my cousin recently bought a sleeping bag for £10 and it was fine for his camping holiday).

I wouldn't worry about checking a bag, either. I always check and haven't had a problem. But unless you really, really have to have steel-toed shoes, I'd go with just sturdy work boots instead. Speaking as someone who wears steel-toes every day to work, they are tremendously hard on your feet, expensive, and HEAVY. And you can't easily wear them onto the plane because the steel toes will cause concern (I've had this problem when running to our local courthouse after work and forgetting I had my work shoes on).

If you must have them, check Walmart for some decent, inexpensive ones.

Is there a way to ship it ahead?? Or would shipping ahead pose a "what if it doesnt' get there" problem?

I don't think the place we will be staying could accept an advance shipment, and I would definitely worry about stuff not arriving. I have bought the classic RS convertible bag; I will load it up with our shoes, sleeping bags, jeans... all the stuff we don't need for Edinburgh, and figure the odds are on our side that it will arrive with us as scheduled.
To those who asked about this trip - I will be happy to post a trip report after we return. I'm hoping this will be a chance to meet some Brits and connect in a way that's not often possible when traveling.
Thanks to all for your advice and support!