Working Holiday

['Guest']

Here's my situation:

I've hooked up with SWAP so I'm off to the UK in May on a working holiday.  I'm planning to stay a year or two and I hope to get myself an office or TV job (I work in Television Production here in Canada).  I'm starting out in London and I don't know if I'll stay there or move around to different places as my visa is good for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  I know I'll need professional clothes as well as casual stuff for nights out etc.  I'm hoping for some advice on whether I should take a backpack or a suitcase (one on wheels of course) since I'm not really planning to go "backpacking" but I do hope to take short "weekend" trips when I have time off from work.  I also know that I can buy clothes and stuff once I'm there (especially since I'll be working) but it's so expensive and I'd rather spend my money on travelling around when I have free time.

Any advice/ideas would great!

['Guest']

Hey, Red.  

regarding what to pack in, i'd suggest both.  a suitcase for your work clothes, a pack to take on weekend getaways.  

If you'll be there for a year or two, you'd want more clothes than would fit in a backpack, anyway.  Prices will probably be higher in UK.  Have you never heard "Rip-Off Britain?"  Canadian quality is hard to beat, anyway.  

- d

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I figured that would be a good plan...it's just getting around with all that stuff for the first couple of weeks that will suck!  Oh well, I know you're right about it being a total rip-off there so I guess it'll be worth the trouble!

Thanks a bunch,
Red

[[e-mail]]

If your main activity will be weekend trips, get a medium-size backpack that is just big enough for such a trip. Then you can also use that for day trips or shopping. Use a suitcase for the rest. And yes, buy your backpack, water bottles etc in Canada rather than here.

Hope you have a good time, and that you manage to get a job!

Peter.

www.uktrail.com

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Well I've decided that a suitcase and a medium sized backpack are definitely the way to go.  And since the pack will end up being used the most (far more than the suitcase)...I was wondring if anyone can recceomend a good medium sized pack that's not too expensive?

[Kim]

I like the Eagle Creek line. Comfortable, durable and have a lifetime warrenty.

I have 8 of them listed on my packs page here:
members.shaw.ca/guideforeurope/backpacks.html

You probably want to look at the Eagle Creek Matrix Vanadium or the Continental Journey.

Kim

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Advice on a pack , well u live in canada id Check out Mec (mountin equipment coop) the membership is 5 buck canadian and they have all the stuff u might need for any trip Check out there website www.mec.ca id an awsome site , my cousin in london shops there (not a ripoff hehe) i hope this helps a bit have a good trip , a good time , and never forget , U r Canadian  !!
Chow all