So I’d planned to head into town today to the awesome backpacking shop on Westlegate to buy everything for Japan. So I did. Unfortunately, I went with my sister (home from Sheffield for the week), who has been backpacking everywhere and knows everything and goes on about it a lot. I had a shopping list, but it apparently meant nothing. “You don’t need one of those. I’ve got one of those, you can borrow mine. You can get one of those for 20p less at Asda! I’ve got loads of those, you can borrow mine.”

Which was rather irritating. I just wanted to go to the shop and buy all my kit and have it done. I didn’t want hand-me-downs, I didn’t want stuff from Asda, and I wanted a proper first aid kit.

Plus I had to get to work in half an hour, so I didn’t really have time to faff about.

So I went home having just bought a universal sink plug, a travel clothes line, a single padlock and a nylon bag thingy.

But… however much it pains me to admit it, my sister was right.

Again.

**sigh**

After I went to work, she — rather kindly — went round the city getting everything on my list for a lot less. In particular, Poundland sells a lot of travel kit (who knew?!). So now I have everything from ear plugs to a sewing kit to a mini Maglite to a cute little first aid kit. It all goes nice and snug in my backpack, which is strangely reassuring. I’m always afraid when I’ve got lots of stuff to keep track of that I’ll lose a bit of it. Maybe I need to keep an inventory.

Well, that’s another box to tick off… and frankly there aren’t a lot of boxes left. Money is one of the boxes, however.