I can’t help myself, I’m a list person. Over the years I’ve found that it takes the stress out of planning a holiday if you have a ready list of things to pack. Then it’s as easy as printing it from the computer and crossing items off as they are put in the van, camper trailer or car. The lists have expanded to include different holiday types or locations over the years but they are all filed away on the computer for when they are needed.

In the camper trailer days there were roller crates to wheel in and out of storage from the trailer. There was the gas gear crate, the pantry crate for all the food, another for tarps, ropes and pegs etc… Some things were always packed and ready to go but I had a list of what to pack in the pantry crate to print off and check.   There were staples like long life milk, flour, tinned food such as tomatoes and all types of beans (great for adding to one pot campfire casseroles) and assorted pasta. I’d put in stock powders, dried herbs and spices, instant gravies and tinned fish. Then last but not least I would pack in the “Holiday Cookbook”. Basically this was a folder of plastic sleeves I made, which was filled with a variety of quick and easy meals for when you’re camping and have limited cooking equipment and ingredients. In the early days it was anything that could be cooked either on a BBQ or in a pot or pan on a small gas cooker. Everything from breakfasts through to happy hour snacks and evening meals and even desserts were taken care of in one handy book. Continue reading →