Hi
I'm looking for any hints & tips for people wishing to go backpacking.
Any info from health & safety, what to pack, what not to pack, best item to take, best age to go etc. etc.

I'm trying to get enough info together to write a book.

If you have any experiences which others could benefit from that would also be usefull.

You can pm me if you like.

don't forget when using bug replent to spay your butt and nether regions. it hurts like hell if you get stung down there trust me

Thanks Danii, very important that one.
They just don't have any morals do they!!

never pack more than 7 kilos as you have to carry the fekkin thing!

My v first backpacking buddy taught me that, that and 'pack travel wash' was the bet advice I ever had and has stood me in good stead around a good chunk of the world lol

and 7kg isnt that little really - enough for a few days clothes and stuff, and you can post home stuff you buy on your travels (it wont break and is lighter that way)
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I've loved, I've laughed and cried, I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing.

Thats always a problem. Filling the rucksack up to the brim before you go, thinking your will need everything. Then having no room for stuff you pick up on your travels and the stuff in the rucksack never gets used.

So whats the one thing, no five things you must take with you?

5 is too much of a head screw for me to think about but 1 I never ever go without is something smartish that is crease proof and handwashable - you never know when you may get to go somewhere nice!!!!

toothpaste and brush

loo roll

shorts

shades

sleepingbag

your not going? just writing a book? not better having your own experiences to write about?

I've got loads - looking at the sky with diamonds alone in the wee hours in the centre of Paris for example with nowhere to go (one of my hairiest nights ever!) - gonna be an interesting book when I finally get round to writing mine

hey interesting name there Mr scuba