Best of British (10 indispensable things to take on holiday with you)

Member Name: jo1976

Product:	10 indispensable things to take on holiday with you
Date:	30/07/09 (358 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ditch the stuff you don't need to take

Disadvantages: Don't forget your waterproofs

Great news - we're off on our holidays next Monday, so I'm starting to sort out all the things we need to take with us. The not so great news - a week in the UK with the worst Summer weather since, well, the last British Summer. Throw in a couple of kids, a tetchy husband and the current economic climate and lets see how much fun we can have! Anyway, in light of the circumstances, I've been revising the list of essentials that we'll be needing for our week in the British rain. For anybody else daft enough to be holidaying in the UK, here's my guide to the essentials:

1. Swap your Passports for an A-Z of the British Isles (or upgrade to a Sat Nav)
We've all been convinced that having a 'stay-cation' in this country is so much better than wasting time and money going abroad. For anybody having a 'stay-cation' (otherwise known as being bloody stupid or downright skint) an A-Z or a sat nav might help you to get to your destination without divorcing your partner - after all, you want to save some fun for the rest of the holiday!

2. Swap your sun lotion for an umbrella
'Under my umbrella, ella, ella, ella.' Yes, it's official - a revised weather forecast issued by the Met Office, telling us that they made a mistake predicting a 'barbeque summer' and we're actually going to be faced with rain, rain and more rain. We'd never have been able to guess that ourselves by looking out of the window at the miserable weather outside, would we?

3. Swap your flip-flops for wellies
See above

4. Swap your shorts and T-shirts for waterproof trousers and an all-in-one for the little ones
Not joking here - we're going shopping at the weekend for one of those all-in-one waterproof outfits for the little one. At least he's going to look cute, if a bit on the wet side. (That's if we manage to persuade him to wear one!)

5. Swap your bikini for an anorak
Anybody spot a recurring theme here? Did I mention that it might rain?

6. Swap your travellers cheques for your husband and his wallet (preferably his credit card and the PIN number - his presence is not necessarily required)
This is a currency accepted in all good stores and shopping is a good antidode to wet weather and frayed tempers!

7. Swap the sunglasses for a face mask
No, not the relaxing, pampering type but something a bit more practical to ward off swine flu. After all, if you're going to be struck down with a contagious illness, you can guarantee it's going to happen on holiday rather than on a working day.

8. Swap the insect repellant for a first aid kit
Not for the more accident-prone family members, this is recommended to treat any wounds inflicted during the inevitable rows and arguments. Nothing like family love and harmony and a British holiday is nothing like it!

9. Swap your suitcase for a body bag
If the conflict goes a stage further, you might need this to dispose of the evidence!

10. Swap the condoms for the kids
Children are scientifically proven to be the most effective form of contraception! The varieties that get up at the crack of dawn, refuse to settle at night-time and wake periodically during the night are the best type to take with you to ensure that no attempts at 'resurrecting your relationship' are considered, let alone made.

So there you have it - everything that you need for a week in the British seaside. Wish me luck!

Summary: Everything you could need for your average British holiday