Kit: Entertainment, Electronics & Tools

Travelling light and travelling with enough vital stuff to keep everyone entertained as we cross the endless steppe was not easy.  

First up is the old iPod- 160GB Classic, filled to the brim with BBC podcasts, cartoons (who can ever tire of Roadrunner?), Dr Who Season 5 and several hundred TED talks to get your mind in gear. 

Two decent sets of headphones (made by 'Shure'- they also double up as ear plugs for all those snorers on the train!) and a splitter.

A set of small, but perfectly formed speakers. (X-mini Capsule Speakers)

Last but not least, a set of cards- these are waterproof/vodkaproof and made of plastic.

Two Mac chargers, one for the MacBook the other for USB devices.

Two iPod leads, one for the iPod, the other for Maisie's Shuffle.

Rechargable batteries and a USB battery recharger.

A Lifetrons universal plug adapter.

A pair of Uniden walkie talkies with a 5km range (a bargain at MBK!) and very useful when speaking to the family from the bar carriage.

Lastly, a 'Built' neoprene bag to keep all of the junk in. It has separate compartments and is very, very James Bond.

I ummed and ahhed, but finally decided to bring my MacBook 13". I am less concerned about it being nicked, or getting broken than the additional weight. It does mean that we can write our blog entries then and there, but it also means we can watch some DVD's and have somewhere to backup photos.

It is nicely protected in a fetching purple and orange 'Booq' sleeve, also in neoprene, but more Manga than 007. This fits very snugly in a dedicated pocket in the rucksack and is very well protected.