TRAVELLING TIME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21195, 28 November 1930, Page 13

TRAVELLING TIME.

«* Wio „ ‘l 0 S 8 . nok lik « to have that travelled look in its beat tense 7 Who would not wish to look unruffled as a summer sky and aa cool as a eu* cumber in the face of all trial* and tribulations f ■ Much of the good travelling does us lies in the lessons we learp of patience, forbearance, and independence, ahd the sheer futility of fussing and bothering about baggage and other such trifles!

At one time, it was a standing joke that the English tourist might be / recognised anywhere. It is true that these bad reputations die hard, but it is equally true that the English traveller is a, more graceful object nowadays. Certainly the Englishwoman shows .more wisdom than of old when she travels abroad or in her own countijy, and perhaps this is because she is learning to travel independently and finds that such matters as passports, luggage,- or find- ' ing a bed for the night are by no means the bugbears they at first seem. Nevertheless there are many who still hava mch to learn; - ,

These foolish end impractical ones would appear to let themselves in for an uncomfortable journey right away by dressing unsuitably. So' bent aw they on not spoiling their best things that they often choose their worst things to travel ini It never seems to occur to them that a best or second-best toilette may travel 'as happily and as harmlessly on their person as in their case or trunk. And unless pressing facilities are at hand it may well happen that your best frock will not wholly recover from its imprisonment during all your holidav. Naturally, however, your travelling kit must depend a little on the type of journey you are taking. For a* weekend trip or a holiday that only entails a short train journey you can generally wear your best clothes with- impunity, always providing they are not too elaborate. But then the average woman nowadays sees that her best clothes are serviceable if also elegant. Even light beige or stone colours are not as impractical for travel wear as they at first seem, because they have a happy habit of wearing clean. Dust and sparks or soot from the engine will be practically the only dangers. To avoid these beet do not choose a carriage too near the engine, and do not sit facing the engine, and if, in spite of these precautions, smuts still seem to visit you, it should be easy enough to safeguard yourself with a newspaper. On the other hand, if yours is to be a long journey, you will be wise to do your best to make yourself comfortable at. the outset. Take off your coat and fold or hang it up. Take off your hat, too, otherwise you may finish your journey with a headache.' . And if you can afford It, arrange to have your meals on the train, as this makes a welcome break, and in most cases is more satisfactory than staying in your carriage -the whole time. and bringing out toe humble sandwich. Where meals are served on the train, you will be asked by the attendant whether you wish for. the first, second, or even third sitting. Always ask for the first if you can* get it. You get better service and better food. The second and third servings are generally part of the first serving'kept hot. Furthermore, the rush of travellers to second dinner will leave you space and time to rest and tidy after your meal.

Where a channel crossing forms put of a journey it is advisable to carry a macintosh, and if .the weather is at all the cool side, an extra coat. Something, extra is nearly always necessary, as it is always cooler on the water. For real comfort on board, discard your hat for the faithful beret.

If your luggage happens to be of the overflowing variety, do not let it overflow into parcels and cases. Send it ahead or register It Too much hand luggage is always a handicap and makes* you a worry to yourself and a nuisance to your friends or fellow-passengers. ■, And what you save on registration you_ lose on porters I Week-end luggage is a different matter, of course, but even this' has to be kept in order. If you are one of unfortunate people who always seem to collect too much luggage, endeavour to treat yourself to an expanding case or one with a soft top which admits of a certain amount of expansion. If you like, books and papers on your journey, buy yourself a bookstrap for ninepence. Last, but not least, however short the journey, always contrive to have some: sort of tidying up* before you reach your destination. The nature of your toilet aids and your tidying up will, of . course, depend to a large extent on the! nature of your journey, but if. it is only ’ a matter of powdering your nose and setting your hat straight, do see to it. It is nice to arrive like a “ new pin ” even if during your journey you have -sometimes felt rusty.—Answers,