Packing for your vacation is both a pleasure and a curse!
I’m always excited about the prospect of going on vacation and I love the thought of locking up and leaving the house. Stepping out – ready for the adventure. But, honestly, I’m no fan of packing for vacations. There are so many different things to think about, especially if you are bringing children with you. And let’s not forget about the myriad of airline rules for the weight of your suitcase and the number of carry-on-bags you can take with you. That just adds another frustrating dimension to the task of packing for your vacation!
Vacation Packing Misadventures
A few years ago we went to Joggins in October for a weekend getaway and I forgot to pack pants for one of my children! We left late in the day and he was wearing his pajamas. So, all he had was his pajamas and some swimming shorts. Luckily he was little and it didn’t really bother him. But it was cold and damp, so we had to drive over an hour to go to the nearest Frenchies to get him something to wear. 😊
Anyway, after that experience I now start packing for my vacation a lot earlier. Now, I line our suitcases up in the hallway for at least a week before we go. I pile various items of clothing on to the bed and then try to plan the perfect “go-with-everything wardrobe”. And, despite the number of Pinterest posts there are about combining 11 items into 15 different attractive comfortable outfits, I find that difficult. Recently, I’ve been watching videos on clever folding techniques fascinated by the concept of “origami for clothes”. I find it weirdly calming to watch, but it is unlikely that I’m ever going to roll up an entire outfit into a neat little parcel. I put stuff in the cases and usually pack at least a couple of things on vacation that I don’t end up wearing.
But, what should you pack to for your Sandy Lane Vacation?
All the cottages are fully furnished. The kitchens are well equipped and have dishes, glasses, cutlery, pots & pans, cookware and linens. All the beds have mattress pads, pillows, sheet sets, blankets, bed spreads or comforters. Most of the cottages have BBQs and patio furniture. So, basically all you have to bring is your food and your clothes.
To help you pack for your vacation, here is a list of some of the personal things that you might want to bring with you.
Groceries
Most of the cottages are stocked with basic condiments at the beginning of the season. Any food in the fridge was purchased this season and you are welcome to use it. There are grocery stores in all the major towns: Liverpool, Lockeport, Shelburne and Barrington. The Sobey’s in Shelburne stays open until 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays and is also open on Sundays. The Atlantic Superstore in Yarmouth and Liverpool is a good grocery shop. There are also independent fish markets – Mr. Fish in Shelburne has a good supply. If you see someone selling seafood from the back of their pick up truck, it is safe to buy. It is most likely a fisherman or his family. The seafood will be fresh.
Wine, Beer and Spirits
NSLC (Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation) stores can be found in all major towns close by – Barrington, Yarmouth, Liverpool and Shelburne. Stores usually stay open until 9 p.m in the summer. There are a couple of Craft Breweries in the area. Boxing Rock in Shelburne is open noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Hell Bay Brewing Company in Liverpool is open from 10 to 5, Tuesday to Thursday, 10 to 10 Friday and Saturday and then noon to 5 on Sundays.
Towels and Bed Linens
You don’t need to pack hand, face and bath towels to bring with you on vacation. Some cottages have beach towels, some do not. So, to be on the safe side bring one with you. Please don’t take bath towels to the beach. Bed linens are provided in all cottages. But, if you need a certain pillow in order to sleep, you should bring that with you.
Toiletries and Medications
You should bring all your personal toiletries and prescriptions with you. If you need over the counter medications, most pharmacies are usually open quite late during the week and for part of the day on Sundays (usually from 12 – 5).
Clothing
Nova Scotia’s summer weather pattern is typically warm days with cool nights. Being on the coast, you should plan for some rain. Pack walking shoes, a windbreaker/raincoat, and a warm sweater for the evenings and sun hats, shorts, sundresses and bathing suits for the days. There can be some cool days in the spring and fall, so warmer sweaters and coats are a good idea for that time of year. Don’t forget your pants! ha ha
Sports Equipment and Games
Some cottages come with kayaks and canoes. Those cottages will also have pfd’s and paddles. The cottages do not have pfds of every size, so if you or someone in your family is not of “average size”, you should pack your own pfd to bring with you on vacation. If there are no kayaks or canoes at the cottage, there are places where you can rent them locally. Most of the cottages have some games on hand – board games, cards, backgammon, cribbage, etc.
Camera Equipment
Film (if you still use that) and regular batteries can be purchased locally. It is not always easy to find the right battery for your camera. So, to avoid the disappointment of a dead camera, it might be a good idea to pack an extra camera battery with you. If you are coming from another country, proof of purchase of expensive camera equipment can avoid customs problems.
Sun Screen and Bug Repellent
If you forget to pack your sunscreen and bug repellent, you can buy some at the pharmacy or grocery shop. An insect repellent with the active ingredient DEET is the most effective at repelling mosquitoes. While West Nile Disease is not widespread in Nova Scotia, Heath Canada advises that to be on the safe side one should minimize outdoor activities where mosquitoes are likely to be encountered, especially at dawn, at dusk and at night.
