This was always going to be a challenge for me, having worked in London in fashion for almost 7 years I had, as you can imagine, accumulated a lot of clothes - and even more shoes.

 

I had to be ruthless when clearing the flat to move out - it pained me at the time, 'I might wear this again' (I kept saying to myself), even though I'd probably not worn it for over a year. 

 

But after the initial shock of throwing everything in to a black bag, it actually felt good to have a massive de-clutter. Plus, Oxfam is 10 black bags better off.

 

However, my shoe collection remains pretty large (much to the despair of my parents, who are looking after our belongings while we're travelling).

 

Clearing two wardrobes, a chest of drawers, and roughly 60 pairs of shoes - and picking the right things to pack in 1 rucksack - felt impossible, but with help from friends who had also travelled for a year, I have narrowed it down to the below (although John still thinks this is far too much to take).

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GENERAL

* Mountain Warehouse Tor 85L (photograph the bag in case it goes missing so you can easily show what it looked like)

* Cross Body Bag 

* Day Rucksack (I purchased one online that has a good section for a camera to fit)

* Canon Camera

* Iphone

* Kindle

* Headphones & Headphone splitter (this allows 2 people to watch the same thing through 2 sets of headphones)

* Torch 

* Travel Towel 

* Padlock 

* Travel Adapter 

* Ear Plugs & Eye mask 

* Contact Lenses

* Glasses & Sunglasses

* Lonely Planets (we have some for the back end of our journey, but family who are joining us later in the trip are bringing out) 

* Travel Journal

* Pack of Waterproof Cards

* Spare Bag for Laundry

* Mints/ Chewing Gum

** Cables & Batteries for all electronic items being taken

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ADMIN

* Travel Wallet Organiser (to keep our passports, visas and paperwork together)

* Passport

* Photocopy of passport & driving license (not kept in the travel wallet but in a separate place in case wallet is lost) 

* Photocopy of marriage certificate (my passport is in my maiden name but my bank cards are my married name)

* Print outs of Visas 

* Print out of flights

* Debit & Credit Cards (shared bank details with parents in case anything happens and they need to access our account or speak with bank on our behalf)

* Proof of vaccinations (Yellow Fever Certificate)

* Spare passport photos

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CLOTHING - I purchased bags called  packing cubs that help separate your clothing, they are great to help organise 

* Shorts x 3

* Harem Style Trousers x 2

* Trousers x 1

* Normal Leggings x 2

* Sports/ Yoga Leggings x 1

* PJ Bottoms

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* Sports/ Yoga Top x 1

* Skinny Strap Vest Tops x 5

* Thicker Strap Vest Tops x 2

* T-shirt x 2

* PJ Top

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* Playsuit x 1

* Dresses x 4 (1 maxi)

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* Hoody x 1

* Black Cardigan x 1

* Raincoat x 1

* Kimono x 1

* Pashmina x 1

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* Socks x 10 normal / 1 x walking socks/ 1 x slipper socks (I don't go anywhere without them)

* Knickers x 15

* Bra's x 5 normal/ 2 x Bandeau / 1 x Sports)

* Bikini x 3

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* Cap/ Hat x 1

* Bandanna x 2 

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* Shoes x 3 (yes you read right, from 60 pairs to 3 it was the hardest decision I've had to make)

1 x Walking Shoes (these will be used as trainers too)

1 x Footbed Sandals (Like Birkenstock)

1 x Additional Pair Of Sandals  

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TOILETRIES

* Washbag, with mirror

* Toothbrush, Toothpaste & Floss

* Face Moisturiser 

* Face Wipes

* Suncream

* Small packs of Tissues

* Hair Bobbles

* Hair Products

* Brush/ Comb

* Straighteners (friends did say these won't be needed, however I am battling with an almost Afro which will need occasional taming)

* Razor 

* Body Moisturiser

* Talc

* Women's Products 

* Hand Sanitizor 

* Make Up (including a tin of Vaseline)

* Deodorant 

* Shower Gel

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* See John's List For First Aid & Medication Taken

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THINGS I LEFT BEHIND

* Jewellery- My wedding ring & engagement ring (I bought a cheap alternative to wear from Accessories)

* Hair Dryer- Hoping most places will have one 

* Perfume - Attracts mosquito's (deodorant will be enough)

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