You might have noticed that ‘it is the season!’ and madness is all around us. I came up with a novel idea the other day to get away from clandestine phone calls and whispers between us all……set a budget that each of you wants to spend and then if it is equal just keep it and on the big day to get away from disappointment you have your own money to buy something you actually want! After-all we didn’t know the baby born on Christmas Day all those years ago.

These views are my own and not intended to offend anyone.

I am always taken aback about the intensity of Christmas in comparison to family birthdays. My daughters birthdays are 12 January and 16 January and mine is in between on 15 January. Just a couple of weeks later is my Husband’s on 27 January and yet Christmas dominates everything. We have tried to keep Christmas a smaller event but it is difficult and still all our imagination and energy is giving on 25 December.

I digress from the title of this post somewhat. I think that I have buttoned down my essential travel accessories to travel in economy comfort on the 7-11 hour journey over the pond.

Again in no particular order

Headphones – by Bose

Footrest – attach to the seat in front around the tray table help support and lift my legs to reduce swelling during the flight

Eyeshield – essential to block out activity around

Ear plugs – helps block out the constant drone of the engines

Neck rest – most aircraft seats now have wings that sort of fold in but I need to be another 3 or 4 inches taller to benefit from this aid

Compression socks – probably my age but often the inactivity causes my feet to swell and these help reduce the inflammation

On arrival whilst preparing to line up for Homeland Security I have my Sat Nav in my hand luggage. I switch it on so that it can start searching for the essential satellite signal as soon I get clear of the terminal building.

The Sat Nav is now without a shadow of a doubt the most essential travel accessory that I need. I always load it up with the addresses that I need and save them as favourites.

Tip: Load as much information as you can before you travel and set your first nights accommodation as HOME. This way you will never be lost. In case the device is struggling to find signal always print out directions to the first hotel (or address) as a back up.

To be honest I haven’t been that lucky with Tom Toms over the last few years and I think I am on my third device. As I know that I will be returning and my daughter is a frequent visitor as well it seemed sensible to actually buy an American device in America. The beauty is that you can search for points of interest around you and then research them on your mobile device where Wi-Fi is available. You can decide if something is too far away or near enough to make a short visit to.

Gone are the days when I would be studying a paper map and directing my husband between points and referring to printed out directions. This is probably why I confidently travel to America on my own on occasion.