Rucksacks, Guitars and A Little Musing...

I've kinda neglected the blog since August, but heres another little post to show I still care!

Rucksacks - Some Advice

A few people from facebook/Gapyear.com/etc have asked me for advice on rucksacks; what to buy/not to buy etc.

My advice is this: ask yourself what you'll be using it for...

If your going to be travelling between hostels/cities quite a bit, get a proper hikers backpack like Lowe Alpine or North Face Terra 60. I've gone for this option, I've got a Lowe Alpine 60+15 (cant remember the name now) and it fits me like a glove. When I'm walking with it, it feels like I've not even got anything in it, it fits that well!

If your not going to be travelling that much, go for something with a detachable backpack, like the Berghaus Jalan or something like that. The removable daysack's are all well and good, but they're usually pretty poor quality, not very secure, and when attached to the main pack during travelling, will weigh a hell of a lot more, putting more strain on your lumbar region. I've used one of these before, not my thing belive me.

I'm personally planning on moving around a lot, and want the best possible comfort. With that in mind, I've got a Lowe Alpine 60+15 hikers pack. The +15 is a detachable 'fanny pack' (I cant even write that without smiling) which is mounted on top, belting for putting toiletries in, apart from a bottle of aftershave slipping out and smashing on a tile floor in Barcelona!!! (whole dorm stunk of Gucci Envy, but it was better than piss from the night before!!!)

On the subject of the whole pack on your front thing - I'm indeed doing that. I've got a North Face Vostok pack, its nearly totally waterproof and rugged as hell, its an antarctic expedition pack so it'll do well. Paid £45 for it, but its already paid dividends already as a walking and cycling backpack, as well as carrying my laptop and files to work brilliantly. For that reason, its coming to oz with me, on my front! I know a lot of people don't like it, but it's actually rather comfy, I've been trying it at home, its practical, though I'm not sure how much so for a lady of certain stature!

Instruments

Another thing I've been thinking about is music on the move. I play a lot of string instruments, guitar, bass, mandolin etc - and I've been thinking about playing whilst I'm away. I quite like the amusing thought of playing an asian themed tune in front of the Petronas Towers, or busking on Sydney Harbour Bridge!

I've been racking my brains trying to choose between a mandolin or a guitar, and then found these two bad boys online. On the top, a Martin Backpacker; on the bottom, a Washburn Rover RO10.

The Martin, being a more prestige make, costs around £200, but the Washburn is a snip of that, I've seen them going around £100, with me just missing one for 85 quid brand new at a guitar show last week. You get a case and all sorts with the Rover. I'm a huge fan of Washburn guitars, so I think I'll be getting one of them. They're both the perfect size for strapping to the side of your pack too!!! I'm really looking forward to jamming in one of the hostels, or elsewhere if theres anyone with owt about there.

Musings...

After all that, I've been busy writing and ebaying for the big date in January. I'll sign off with something I wrote a month or so back describing again the 'Australian dream':

A Pre-Holiday Romance

A 'typical backpackers' list to see,

There really is so many things,

On mine theres actually one,

Near a place called Alice Springs,

From London to Kuala Lumpur first,

Then from there flying on to Melbourne,

There's no sight I'll think of worst,

Than a check in't mirror, seeing sunburn,

Northward up towards Darwin,

The home of Croc Dundee,

One sound I'll be sure to take in,

Resides inside a famous House in Sydney

Also out there I'd like to busk,

Upon the Harbour Bridge,

Perhaps for me gullet, some 'roo meat,

Perhaps a snack, I'll keep some in't fridge,

Learn to surf properly on Bondi,

'Pop-up' finally and shout hooray!

Another time near there visiting,

Aussie Corrie, it's Home and Away,

The Red Rock named Uluru,

I'll surely go to see,

Penguin Island too,

Inhabited by more than three,

Then theres also that place Tas,

They call it the land of the Devil,

There I'll not be on't razz,

I'll be keeping it on the level,

I'm after going trekking up mountains,

Into bush by't Grace o' God go I,

Drinking freely from natures fountains,

Forever looking, never questioning why,

Enjoy, I'll sithee soon,

Lee