Packing for March

aimathon · Member

Packing for March

CowboyCraic · Guru

Amy,

You can expect cold rains no matter when you travel in Ireland. It is the way of things there, sunny and warm one moment and then cloudy and cool the next.

I always suggest that you pack for layering that way you can peel or add as the weather dictates.

Carry a lightweight weatherproof hooded windbreaker, good sturdy, weatherproof, walking boots or shoes and a couple of pullover

For a two-week trip, I usually pack:

2 pair of jeans
2 pull-over sweaters
3- 4 t-shirts
3 dressy shirt (like an oxford button-down or in my case, a nice western shirt)
underwear/socks
1 washcloth
An Eddie Bauer three-season lightweight weatherproof jacket with detachable hood and thinsulate liner)
one pair of comfy slippers (your feet thank you after a day of walking)

I usually take all of my dirty clothes to a laundry on day 6 or 7 of a fourteen day trip. I drop them off in the morning, do a day trip and pick them up on my return, washed, pressed and folded. It is relatively inexpensive and allows me to travel lighter than most

Slan Beo, Bit

Dude · Guru

Ah, Bit, you are more organized or more responsible than I. I have left washcloths (face flannels) all over Ireland, so I invest in an 18 pack or something similar from WalMart and just plan on leaving most of them drying in the ensuites. Sometimes I even get home with some.

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

I know that you asked specifically about clothing, but ...

B&B's and hotels usually provide Liquid soap / Body wash -- If you are a purist (or just a plain, old, stubborn traditionalist -- ( evileye

I resemble that remark! doh

)-- it would be a good idea to bring along a bar of soap for that face flannel / washy cloth.

Don't waste time/weight/space dealing with a soap case, though. They invariably leak or get all nasty. What works best is to use a sealable baggie-type storage bag. It's generally a good idea to bring about a half dozen or more of the small and medium sized (sandwich and quart) and it might not hurt to have some of the gallon size.

They weigh next to nothing and take virtually NO room in your case and are INFINITLY useful for organizing your stuff, covering shoes that might be a wee bit muddy, and for separating wet or damp items from the rest of your stuff (wet wash cloths come to mind biggrin

). I usually throw all my US money - coins and paper -- into one before deplaning, and then use the same bag for my Euro 'leftovers', on my return.

My wife also brings a small 'scrubbie' for the shower that we also transport from place to place.

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 17:02, 2009-02-25

Andi · Senior Member

As a cycle tourist, I'm always amused by the packing dilemmas of others--imagine fitting everything you need for up to 3 weeks in 2 bicycle panniers the size of a daypack! I usually have 1 pair of pants, 1 shortsleeved shirt, 1 longsleeved shirt, etc.

However, the main point is that I agree with the previous poster that ziplock bags are wonderful for organizing everything. (In the case of cycle touring, they also keep your clothes dry). I put everything in a ziplock, even when on a regular vacation (not cycling). Gallon size for a shirt or pants, sandwich size for socks, etc.

I find liquid soap is much less hassle than bars of soap, and I mix shampoo and conditioner into one container. I take a ziplock with some dry laundry detergent as well. Also, I take a few panty liners in case I can't wash out the underwear every day. If you're washing your own things in Ireland, you can't count on having them dry out overnight!

Nothing against jeans and sweaters, but if you're short on space or planning to wash things in a sink, microfiber clothing is much less bulky and dries faster.

One thing no one has mentioned is that, unless you're going to a very fancy restaurant or castle restaurant, you really won't need anything dressy. Ireland is very casual.

rebeccaf · Veteran Member

Love the suggestion of packing extra zip bags -- hadn't thought of that and it makes perfect sense.

Anchoress · Guru

We do have these here you know:)

Blessings...

rebeccaf wrote:

Love the suggestion of packing extra zip bags -- hadn't thought of that and it makes perfect sense.

rebeccaf · Veteran Member

You mean you don't ALL live under thatch roofs and burn peat fires?!?!? biggrin

Reminds me of our daughter Rachel, when in 5th grade and visiting England for the first time, remarked to our friend, "Cool -- I didn't know you had supermarkets in England!" Duh. (But I still think it's a good idea to toss in some zip-lock bags!)

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

While I'm sure the Good Sister was being humorous, she DOES raise a valid point, particularly for newbies --

Ireland really is a very modern, Western country and you will find most -- if not all --of the familiar products and brands while shopping there. It is NOT necessary to bring EVRYTHING from home.

Never the less, I STILL pack my Baggie assortment, because when I'm packing up that wet cloth or soap -- or whatever there's no time or inclination to run out to a shop ..... biggrin biggrin biggrin

Bob

-- Edited by Itallian Chauffeur at 11:55, 2009-02-26

youngka · Guru

Don't forget to buy the large garbage biogradable ones to bring home. We brought two of the packages home last year and should have brought 6! Makes us feel good to recycle ONE MORE ITEM! Youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bob,

I like having the zip-lock bags in my suitcase too. You never know when you will need one. They are more expensive in Ireland.

I will add that grocery stores in the Republic charge for grocery bags. Take a few of your own or buy some of the reusable ones.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

That charge is on plastic bags only; shops give sturdy paper now.

Not the shops either; this is a government levy to try to cut down on plastic waste, for the planet's sake.

We still get plenty; butchers and greengrocers are allowed them.. and of course ASDA still give them out.

They also are cheaper in the North.

Michele Erdvig wrote:

Bob,

I like having the zip-lock bags in my suitcase too. You never know when you will need one. They are more expensive in Ireland.

I will add that grocery stores in the Republic charge for grocery bags. Take a few of your own or buy some of the reusable ones.

Michele

Anchoress · Guru

Shh!!! Please don't tell everyone!

Having just lit my turf fire.. roof not thatched now but it was.

rebeccaf wrote:

You mean you don't ALL live under thatch roofs and burn peat fires?!?!? Reminds me of our daughter Rachel, when in 5th grade and visiting England for the first time, remarked to our friend, "Cool -- I didn't know you had supermarkets in England!" Duh. (But I still think it's a good idea to toss in some zip-lock bags!)

rebeccaf · Veteran Member

We've returned to winter here today, after enjoying a few days of early spring. Any kind of fire to sit by would feel wonderful about now.