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ISSUE 297
It’s so easy
Get
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summer
The simple secret to diet success
21 pages of
expert advice
n Packing tips to
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n Have great
hair every day
n Instant mood
boosters
Paul O’Grady
‘Why my life
will never
be the same’
may 8-21,
2018 £1.55
Harry & Meghan:
The royal traditions
they have vowed to keep
Deliciously healthy
7 quick and easy
low-cal meals
Fashion
fixes
We solve
your style
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Inside
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cover pic: Oliver/GoffPhotos.com
Real life
9 Animal Magic
12 ‘We rowed the Atlantic’
21 The Great British Bee Count
22 ‘Life is bloomin’ brilliant!’
24 Serving up food and family
Star chat
10 Cover Paul O’Grady
16 Cover The latest on Harry and
Meghan’s big day!
26 60 years of Carry On films
138 Doctors actress Emma Samms
Your best life now!
30 Cover Get slim, stay slim
34 Cover Your style dilemmas
solved, today
38 Cover Skincare for your hair
Good to know
57 Beat garden pests with
chemical-free solutions
58 Packing tips to save you £££s
60 Yours Retirement Services
61 Avoid directory enquiry rip-offs
63 Your questions answered
65 Cover Mood-boosting scents
67 The easy guide to dealing
with probate
69 Watching the pennies
71 Send for a Yours Guide
Nostalgia
51 ‘My first job…’
52 Blast from the past: thrills
and spills at the fair!
Leisure time
81 Cover Balanced recipes
87 Craft: fabulous ferns
91 Cloths to crochet for baby
93 Cover Summer gardening
secrets from the experts!
99 48 hours in Belfast
100 Visit Hamburg
103 The fabulous Hay festival
104 Cover Yours Travel Club
Your favourites
41 Meeting Place
55 Roy Hudd
75 Friends of Yours
108 Carers in touch
115 Send for your FREE
bracelet
117 Cover Puzzles to test you
& prizes to win
£6,158
of prizes
to win
129 The shop with the secret: part 2
137 Horoscopes
21
87
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34
Try our
solutions to
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dliemmas…
It’s such a wonderful time for celebration in the
Windsor household. Not only have we just welcomed
the new baby Prince into the royal family, now palace
staff are busy preparing for Harry and Meghan’s
wedding on May 19. On page 16 take a look at what the
big day has in store and discover how the couple will
be ringing the changes on some royal traditions.
If your summer clothes are feeling just a little snug
(I know mine are!) turn to page 30 for the simplest
diet advice you’ll ever read and page 81 for seven
quick and easy (and most importantly delicious)
low-cal meals.
I’m looking forward to getting out in the garden
now the weather is a little better (fingers crossed it
stays that way). We’ve got a four-page
special, packed with expert tips to
help you make the most of your
plot and save you time and money
in the process (p38).
See you
next issue
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Heart to
heart
‘Why
life will
never be
the same
again’
Much-loved Paul
O’Grady, currently
on our screens in
For the Love of Dogs:
India, tells Yours how
helping care for some
of Delhi’s 400,000
strays has deeply
affected him
By Alison James
It takes a lot to faze Paul O’Grady.
He is, by his own admission, ‘as
tough as old boots’. So it’s a bit of
a shock to us viewers to see just
how shaken he is by the condition
of many of Delhi’s dog population.
“Strays who live in packs, street
dogs who roam the city – often with
untreated diseases and infections... it
really is unbelievable,” he says. “It made
me feel very uncomfortable. Everyone
who worked on the show was affected.
Whatever you do just seems like a
drop in the ocean; you really want to
help but you can’t help much because
there’s too much to do and it’s so hard.
“Then there’s the pollution, the
poverty, the starving kids... While I was
there, I was thinking, ‘How the hell
do any dogs get fed when there are
starving children on the streets?’ But
as an Indian lady said to me, a stray
starving dog in India isn’t deliberate
cruelty, rather there’s simply no-one
to look after it. Cruelty to dogs, such as
leaving them chained up in the yard or
stubbing a fag out on them is a UK or
western trait. That kind of thing doesn’t
happen in India. People, however poor,
will try to feed street dogs when they
can – they do it off their own bat. So
people do care about them but there’s
no money. While the programme is sad,
there’s some hope, there, too.”
10
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT

star chat
Paul’s natural affinity
and affection for dogs
is what makes us love
him so much!
As has recently
been reported,
India had a grave effect
on Paul for another reason. He was
hospitalised while filming in Delhi.
“That was another big shock” he
explains. “I was really careful about
what I ate and drank but I obviously
picked something up from a dog and
then must have touched my mouth
and nose. I was vomiting from 5am
to 10pm and eventually the doctor
was called. He said I was so seriously
dehydrated I was close to renal failure,
so I was hauled off to Delhi hospital
and thoroughly rehydrated and given
antibiotics. It worked because I was out
within 24 hours. They wanted to keep
me in for a couple more days, but I said,
‘I’m off’. I felt a bit doddery at first,
especially being back to the
heat and the pollution, but I
wanted to get back to work
and to the dogs.”
The four-part ITV series
For The Love of Dogs:
India, is being aired as Paul
suffered heartache closer
to home with the loss of his
much-loved Cairn Terrier Olga.
His beloved 14-year-old dog
had to be put to sleep just a few
weeks ago because of kidney failure.
Speaking just days afterwards Paul
said: “It’s the hardest thing to do but it’s
the only thing to do. I knew it wasn’t
Olga any more, she was a state. It’s
heartbreaking but she had a great life.”
Paul’s empathy with animals of
all kinds is uncanny. “Vets have told
me I do have something,” he smiles.
“I remember when I was in Borneo
a few years back, there was this
little baby orangutan who
was scared of strangers
but within minutes he
was in my arms and
then wouldn’t leave
me alone. Then
there’s also been a
baby vulture, baby
elephant, rhinos,
Siberian tigers and
adult elephants I’ve
kind of bonded with
and they’ve been like
kittens with me. I don’t
know why. Maybe it’s because I
show no fear. Animals are curious and
I think they can smell the fear on you.
I love most animals but I do hate rats. I
had a massive infestation at my house
a while ago – the rat catcher said it was
the worst he’d seen in ten years. I don’t
like wasps, either.”
Next up for Paul (62) is hosting
this month’s NHS Heroes Awards
Paul shares a secret
Spring is his favourite season… ‘I love it when
the garden springs into life, particularly after a hard
winter. Living in the country, you really do notice
the change in seasons. I especially love daffodils
– they’re just the cheeriest flower. They’re such a
simple design and radiate sunshine.’
which will be shown on ITV in a
two-hour special. The ceremony,
part of celebrations marking the 70th
anniversary of the NHS, recognises the
amazing achievements of NHS staff,
volunteers and supporters. Paul says:
“We will be honouring the incredible
medical staff and also the dedicated
work of porters, cleaners and of course
the army of volunteers without whom
the NHS could not function. After three
heart attacks myself, I owe my life to
the NHS.”
‘I remember when I was in
Borneo a few years back,
there was this little baby
orangutan who was scared
of strangers but within
minutes he was in my arms’
How is his health generally? “My
cardiologist thinks I’m a vampire,”
he laughs. “I see him once a year and
the last time, he said, ‘I don’t how you
do it’. ‘What you mean?’ I asked. He
replied, ‘You’re in perfect health and
you shouldn’t be’. I think it’s a lot to
do with mind over matter. But I have
changed my lifestyle. I don’t go out
clubbing any more. Those days are well
over – I’m just not interested. You grow
out of things, don’t you? And I’ve grown
out of having a night life. I’ve grown
out of telly a bit, too. I used to have it
on all the time and sit and watch the
soaps from seven till nine. I still dip in
now and again but I’m not a devotee
like I used to be. There’s too much
other stuff to do – especially living on
a small-holding with animals to look
after. I think I value life more than I
used to and I try to make the most of
every day. I don’t eat that healthily, to
be honest, but living in the countryside
does mean I get lots of exercise!”
n For The Love Of Dogs: India is on ITV. If
you missed the first two episodes you can
catch up on the ITV hub
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
11
PICs: itv, alamy stock photo

The micellar cleanser
It’s the hottest skin
cleanser trend and now
you can benefit from the
power of micelles in your
haircare. Just like a micellar
cleanser, Pantene’s Pro-V
Micellar Cleanse & Nourish
Shampoo (£2.99/400ml)
features micelle molecules
that capture impurities
and styling residue. It’s
ultra-gentle, too.
Beyond
shampo o
Skincare for
your hair!
If your haircare routine
consists of a quick lather
and rinse, then your hair
is missing out. Nowadays,
there are a whole host of
hardworking hair products
that will help you achieve
your best hair yet. Take
inspiration from your
skincare routine with these
clever haircare heroes.
By Beauty Editor, Michelle Nightingale
The scalp
exfoliator
Exfoliating your skin is
the quickest way to boost
your glow and a gentle scrub
can work wonders on your
scalp, too. If you suffer from a dry
and itchy scalp, or dandruff, then
exfoliating will help remove dead skin
and banish any loose flakes. It’s also
useful for removing product build-up
and encourages healthy hair follicles.
The Salon Science Hydrafoliant Scalp
Scrub (£12/100ml), is a weekly
pre-shampoo treatment that not
only exfoliates for a smoother and
clearer scalp, it also soothes and
nourishes irritated skin.
38 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT

The SPF
haircare hero
Most of us are pretty savvy
when it comes to protecting our
skin from the damaging effects of
the sun, but our hair needs the same
protection, too. Our hair can dry out
when exposed to the sun, so protection
is key – particularly if you have your
hair coloured. Philip Kingsley’s
Sun Shield (£22/100ml),
shields it from UV rays
and protects against
damage from chlorine
and salt water. It helps
prevent colour fade and
controls frizz – even in
humid temperatures.
The plumping mask
Our hair lives a pretty tortured
life, constantly being exposed
to the elements and daily
heat styling, so a mask should
be a must. Nanogen’s Hair
Growth Factor Treatment
Mask (£29.95/200ml),
is a game changer for
anyone who wants
healthier, hydrated and
fuller locks. Containing
keratin, a natural
thickening protein, as
well as hyaluronic acid
for a hydration boost
and argan oil. Use twice
weekly for volumised
and silky locks.
The BB cream
Beauty balms, or BB creams as they’re
called, are multi-tasking skincare
marvels that even out the skin tone,
hydrate and offer lots of other skinimproving
benefits. A make-up staple
for the warmer months, now you
can reap the benefits for your hair,
too. Dove’s Youthful Vitality Hair BB
Cream (£7.75/125ml), is specially
formulated for mature hair, promising
to boost fullness and shine, as well
as making it easier to manage. It also
contains a protecting UV complex
and healthy hair antioxidants and can
be applied to wet or dry hair.
The super
serum
While serums in haircare are
nothing new and most do a great
job smoothing and de-frizzing, this
hair health-boosting serum does so
much more. Featuring a follicle fertilising and
strengthening complex, Lee Stafford’s Hair
Growth Serum (£9.99/75ml), encourages hair
growth at the root. It isn’t at all greasy – pop
it on overnight so it can work its magic
while you sleep, or use it after
washing for a volume boost.
our hair lives a
tortured life,
being exposed
to the elements,
so a mask ought
to be a must
The brightener
Blonde and grey-haired readers
will know the constant battle
of keeping yellow
tones at bay. This
Charles Worthington
ColourPlex Toning
Ultra Violet Shampoo
(£7.99/250ml), strips
away yellow and brassy
tones in one wash. You’ll
be left with brighter and
salon-worthy locks and
not a hint of a purple
rinse! Make sure you wear
gloves to apply though,
or it will stain your hands!
Stockists: Benefit 0800 279 4793;
Boots No7 0345 070 8090; Charles
Worthington, Dove, Lee Stafford,
Nanogen and Pantene available from
Boots; Philip Kingsley 0207 237 7100;
Salon Science and Sleek available
from Boots.
hair care
Brow
wow!
Confused about what to do with
your eyebrows? Here are our
top picks for younger-looking
brows in a flash.
Pencil
Perfect for… Neatly shaped
and outlined brows
Try… No7 Beautiful Eyebrow
Sculpting Pencil, £8
In four different shades, this
is one of the few brow pencils
we’ve found that comes in a
grey shade. The blonde shade is
also a cool ash tone, so it won’t
leave you with orange brows.
Once warmed up slightly, the
pigment is good and it also has
a handy brush on the end.
Powder
Perfect for… Naturally
filled and fuller brows
Try… Sleek MakeUp
Brow Kit in Light, £8.50
There’s a shaping wax,
setting powder, mini
tweezers and two brushes.
Apply the wax to define your
brow shape and then use the
powder for sparse areas. While
the tweezers aren’t amazing
quality, they’re ideal for
popping in your handbag.
Gel
Perfect for… Quick
and easy results
Try… Benefit Gimme Brow+
Eyebrow Gel, £20.50
This cult beauty favourite
is set for a relaunch and
will be available in eight
shades. It’s long-wearing,
water-resistant and helps
thickens brows in one
swipe. The perfect brow
product for anyone who
wants thicker brows.
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
39
PICs: masterfile; alamy stock photo
Launches
this June

As the Carry On films mark a
milestone of making us laugh, we
look at the history behind the humour
and some of our favourite stars
60 years of
Carry
On
By Katharine Wootton
Sid James
With his filthy cackle and
lecherous persona, Sid was
once described as, ‘the grand
old man of dirty laughter’
and brought a touch of
naughtiness to every
one of his roles in 19
Carry On films, from
Mark Antony to
Henry VIII. A former
hairdresser, he
made his name
on Hancock’s Half
Hour and Bless
this House.
Carry On Sergeant was
the start of a 60-year
comedy classic
The much-loved Carry On gang
Ooh matron!
Can you really
believe it’s
been 60 years
since Carry
On first caused a riot on
our screens with its unique
mix of saucy innuendos,
corny one-liners and
blatant slapstick? Over 31
iconic films, four Christmas
specials and a television
series, Carry On has been
making us belly laugh for
six decades and remains
as popular today with
audiences as it was in
its heyday.
Charles
Hawtrey
Starting out as
a boy soprano
who made a
record aged 15,
Charles discovered a gift for
comedy and starred in
the first Carry On film.
His characters ranged
from the effete to
the effeminate,
always with his round
glasses. Unfortunately,
his alcoholism caused
many problems on set.
It all began in 1958,
the year of the last Ealing
comedy, when producer
Peter Rogers and director
Gerald Thomas created a
black and white film, in the
vein of an Ealing comedy but
with smaller budgets, and
actors from radio and TV.
This first film, Carry On
Sergeant, was based on a
Kenneth Williams
He appeared in more Carry
On productions than anyone
else and became the master
of the double entendre. One
memorable moment came
in Carry On Doctor (1967)
when he told Hattie Jacques’
character. “You may not realise
it but I was once
a weak man.”
She replied:
“Once a
week is
enough for
any man.”
26
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT

news nostalgia
play called The Bull Boys,
but took inspiration from
the popular ITV sitcom, The
Army Game, depicting life
in National Service. While
less bawdy than the movies
that came next, this first film
became an unexpected hit,
so much so that a string of
similar films soon followed.
Scriptwriter Norman
Hudis left after six years
and was replaced by Talbot
Rothwell, who turned up the
innuendo dial, making the
comedy more blue
and bringing the
leering Sid James
character to the
fore. He brought in
historically-based
comedies such
as Carry On Cleo,
sending up ancient
Rome and Egypt.
But whether
in historical costumes or
modern, nothing went
untouched by the Carry On
team’s lampooning, from
the NHS to the monarchy. At
least one new Carry On film
came out every year until
1979, with Carry On up the
Khyber in 1968 and Carry On
Camping in 1969 becoming
the biggest commercial hits.
Did you know?
The line “Infamy!
Infamy! They’ve
all got it in for
me!” in Carry On
Cleo was voted
the funniest
one-liner in
film history
Roy Castle, Sid James, Julian
Holloway and Peter Butterworth
in Carry On Up The Khyber. Below
Sid as Mark Antony with Amanda
Barrie as Cleopatra in Carry on Cleo
While other
homegrown British
comedy series, such as
St Trinians, were doing
well at the box office at
about the same time, the
difference with Carry On
was that the comedies
weren’t sequels based on
recurring characters or
locations. Instead, each film
had its own unique story
and set of actors, with little
continuation from the last
film apart from the odd injoke.
Every film was done to
the tightest of budgets – the
producers tried to keep costs
low by not having a single
star – and they were filmed
at lightning speed, often less
Extra for you
We have five DVD box
sets of Carry On: The
Ultimate Collection
to give away. Send a
postcard marked Carry
On Collection to Box
57, Coates, PE7 2FF by
May 25. If you don’t
wish to receive further
information from Yours,
write No Further Contact
on your card.
than six weeks. But
it was this simplicity
and topicality thanks
to their short shooting
period that afforded
them a big part of their
charm and appeal.
Sadly, that appeal
waned in the late
Seventies and after
1978 only one film
was made – Carry On
Columbus – in 1992 in a vain
attempt to revive it. But
we’ve carried on watching
the old classics on repeat
ever since and there have
been whispers of a rebooted
Carry On film series, created
by the writers of Two Pints
of Lager and a Packet of
Crisps. Watch this space…
PICs: ALAMY stock photo, LANDMARK MEDIA, PREMIER SHUTTERSTOCK
Hattie Jacques
She worked with all the greats
from Eric Sykes to Norman
Wisdom as well as starring
in 14 Carry Ons as the
formidable matron. A
nurse in real life during
the Second World War,
she knew how to give
the other characters
what for on screen
while apparently
being something of
a mother hen to her
fellow actors behind
the cameras.
Barbara
Windsor
Few of us can forget
Barbara throwing
her arms backwards
to Kenneth Williams‘
”fling and fling” only
for her tiny bikini top
to ping off right into
Kenneth’s face. Carry
On was the place a
talented Barbara really
learned her craft to
go on to become one
of the most famous
British actresses.
And not forgetting…
Joan Sims, Kenneth Connor,
Peter Butterworth, Terry
Scott, Bernard Bresslaw, Jim
Dale and Jack Douglas.
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
27

good know
to
Simple advice on money + home + family + shopping + trends
kitchen
cupboard
pesticides
Get a handle on garden pests with these
super chemical-free solutions
Pest
Aphids
and
fruit flies
Remedy
Place a small amount of apple cider vinegar
in a jar next to the plants. This will attract
the flies which will fall in and drown.
Mildew
Mix equal parts of milk and water and
apply to tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce
and any plants blighted by mildew.
Slugs
Crush egg shells and sprinkle them on top of
the soil around plant stems. The sharp edges
will repel slugs and other insects.
PICs: getty images, shutterstock, alamy stock photo
Fungus
Mix 3 tbsp of baking soda with 1 litre of
water and pour in a spray bottle. Spray plants
every few days until the fungus is gone.
Turn to
page 93 for
more expert
gardening
tips
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
57

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Inspiring
YOU
craft
easy crafting tasty recipes genius ideas
The perfect gift for
any new mum, these
cloths are handy for
cleaning little faces
Crocheted
baby cloths
+ +
Difficulty
rating:
ll
MATERIALS
For the traditional square
Rowan Handknit Cotton
DK, 100% cotton, DK (light
worsted) yarn, approx 85m
(93yd) per 50g (1¾oz) ball
1 ball each of: 351 Cassis (pink)
(A); 239 Ice Water (light blue)
(B); 346 Atlantic (mid-blue) (C)
For the Wave cloth
Rowan Handknit Cotton
DK, 100% cotton, DK (light
worsted) yarn, approx 85m
(93yd) per 50g (1¾oz) ball
1 ball each of: 334 Delphinium
(lilac) (A); 352 Sea Foam
(turquoise) (B); 239 Ice Water
(light blue) (D); 346 Atlantic
(mid-blue) (F); Debbie Bliss
Cotton DK, 100% cotton DK
(light worsted) yarn, approx 84m
(92yd) per 50g (1¾oz) ball
58 Fuchsia (bright pink) (C);
75 English Mustard (yellow) (E)
To make the
traditional
square cloth:
Using a 4.5mm (UK size 7)
hook and A, make 4ch, join
with a ss to form a ring.
Round 1: 3ch (counts as first
tr), 2tr into ring,
2ch, *3tr into
ring, 2ch;
rep from
* twice
HOOKS AND EQUIPMENT
4.5mm (UK 7) and 4mm (UK 8)
crochet hooks;
Yarn sewing needle
TENSION
Tension is not critical on this
project.
MEASUREMENTS
Traditional square measures
22.5cm (9in) square
Wave cloth measures 22.5cm
(9in) square
BEFORE YOU START…
cm – centimetre(s); ch – chain;
ch sp(s) – chain space(s);
rep – repeat; sp(s) – space(s);
ss – slip stitch; st(s) – stitch(es);
tr – treble; tr3tog – treble 3
stitches together; WS – wrong
side of work.
more; join with a ss in first
3-ch. Join B.
Round 2: Ss in first 2-ch sp,
3ch, [1tr, 2ch, 3tr] in same
ch sp,1ch; *[3tr, 2ch, 3tr] in
next ch sp (corner), 1ch; rep
from * twice more, 1tr in
next ch sp, join with a ss.
(4 corners) Join C.
Round 3: Ss in first
2-ch sp, 3ch, [1tr,
2ch, 3tr] in same
sp, 1ch, 3tr in next ch sp, 1ch,
*[3tr, 2ch, 3tr] in next corner
sp, 1ch, 3tr in next ch sp, 1ch;
rep from * twice more, 1tr
in next ch sp, join with a ss.
Alternate colours as set in
each following round.
Rounds 4-8: Ss in first 2-ch
sp, 3ch, [1tr, 2ch, 3tr] in same
ch sp, 1ch, [3tr in next ch sp,
1ch] in each ch sp to corner,
[3tr, 2ch, 3tr] in corner sp;
rep from * twice more, 1tr
in next ch sp, join with a ss.
Fasten off.
To make the
wave cloth:
Using a 4mm (UK 8) hook
and A, make 33ch.
Row 1: 1tr in 2nd ch from
hook, 1tr in next ch, *1tr in
each of next 3 ch, tr3tog over
next 3 sts, 1tr in each of next
3-ch, 3tr in next ch; rep from
* ending last rep with 2tr in
last ch. Break yarn.
Row 2: Join B in
first st, 2ch, 1tr
in first st, *1tr in
each of next 3 sts,
tr3tog over next 3
sts, 1tr in each of next
3 sts, 3tr in next st; rep
from * ending last rep with
2tr in last ch. Fasten off.
Rows 3-15: Repeat row 2,
changing colour for each
row as follows: A, C, A, D, A, E,
A, F, A, C, A, B, A. Fasten off.
Making up
and finishing
Sew in ends on WS.
Block the cloths to size.
For washing instructions
see ball band.
Taken from
Learn to Crochet
Granny Squares
and Flower
Motifs, By Nicki
Trench, Published
by Cico Books
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
91
pic: alamy stock photo

10 packing tips
that could save you £££s
Don’t get stung by unexpected baggage costs
when flying this summer. Pack like a pro with
our top tips!
By Gabrielle Albert
There are plenty of cheap
flights to be snapped
up these days, but an
inexpensive getaway can
be blighted by unexpected
costs. Low-cost airlines are notorious
for enforcing strict baggage policies
and often charge high penalties
for exceeding them – so efficient
packing is essential if you’re watching
the pennies.
Make sure you avoid unwanted
airport drama and ensure your
holiday gets off to a smooth,
stress-free start with our thrifty
packing tips.
1
Pack and roll
Increase the amount of suitcase
space by investing in air-compression
bags. With these nifty little bags you
simply pop your clothes in, seal, roll and
squeeze the air out – no need to use a pump
or vacuum. And this clever idea
will result in fewer creases
than folding.
n Packmate Travel
Roll Storage Bags,
£6, Wilko
2Downsize your liquids
No checked-in luggage? You might
consider buying toiletry minis to
beat the 100ml liquids
carry-on rule, but these
work out pricey. Invest
in 100ml containers
and fill at home.
n Refill Travel Bottle Set,
Ship it off
6 Consider shipping your luggage
£1, Poundland to your destination via a door-to-door
delivery company, such as www.
sendmybag.com. This method can
work out cheaper than paying for a
hold bag through your airline and
will save you waiting at the check-in
desk and baggage reclaim. However,
you’ll need to find out whether your
luggage will need to be stored at the
hotel prior to your arrival, as some
hotels may charge fees
for this.
Do your research
3 Find out what facilities are offered
at your accommodation and what
amenities are nearby. Hotels often
provide hairdryers, towels, kettles
and irons – so it’s usually unnecessary
to bring these with you. Locate a
supermarket where the locals shop as
they will often sell all or most of the
toiletries, food and drinks you'll need.
Quench your thirst
4With the 100ml liquid restrictions,
we’re often forced to purchase
expensive drinks from shops and
restaurants the other side of the
security desk – a 500ml bottle of
water can cost as much as £3!
Avoid this unnecessary expense
by packing a couple of empty
water bottles in your carry-on
bag. Most airports have water
fountains or offer facilities
beyond security for you to
fill them up.
5
WEAR YOUR WEIGHT
Wear your heaviest items (boots,
big coat, etc) through the security
check rather than wasting space
in your suitcase or bag. Umbrellas
often count as a carry-on ‘freebie’
so don’t waste space in your
bag (check with your airline
for its policy though)
7
Invest in the best
A decent cabin bag can pay
dividends in the long run. If you plan
on taking just one cabin bag on your
travels a soft-sided case is recommended
as it’ll allow you to squeeze in as much
as possible. Hard cases are great for
hold luggage – as they can take
more of a beating and are
often water resistant.
58
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT

8
Choose wisely
All budget airlines keep costs down
by charging you for extra services that
would otherwise be included in your ticket
price. With cheap flights, look into what
you get for your money. By the time you’ve
added up all of the ‘extras’, you might
find there is little saved. It’s worth
comparing a budget flight with a BA
flight, for example, to see the
real difference in price.
9Weigh it up
Some airlines charge as much
as £10 per additional kilogram
if you go over the weight limit, so
invest in mini luggage scales. You can
use this portable gadget for weighing
both carry-on and hold bags to ensure
you don’t accidently tip
over the limit. If you know
you’re going to be over you
can pre-book additional
weight to avoid penalties
at the airport.
n Status Mechanical Luggage
Scales, £3, Asda
good to know
Check your
10 medication
If you’re flying with medication
you certainly won’t want the
hassle or expense of replacing
it on the other side. When it
comes to liquid medicine, the
general rule is that you can
only take 100ml in your cabin
bag. However, you’re allowed
to carry essential medicines of
more than 100ml in your hand
luggage as long as you have
supporting documentation from
a relevant medical professional
(for example a letter from
your doctor or a copy of your
prescription). The same rule
applies for gel packs, liquid
dietary foodstuffs and inhalers.
If you’re unsure, contact your
airline or airport customer
services in advance to check.
Measure up!
Here are the hand-luggage guidelines from the three most popular budget airlines *
Provider Free hand-luggage weight allowance Measurements
10kg in one cabin bag, plus one small bag.
You will only be allowed to take your cabin
bag on-board if you have purchased priority
boarding, otherwise it will be checked
into the hold.
No limit, but you must be able to lift into the
overhead locker unaided. One cabin bag
per person. EasyJet Plus card-holders, FLEXI
fare, up front or extra leg-room customers
can take an additional ‘under the seat’ bag.
55x40x20cm -
cabin bag
35x20x20cm -
small bag
56x45x25cm –
cabin bag
45x36x20cm –
‘under the seat’
One 10kg cabin bag. Should you exceed
this, you must check this in as hold
baggage for an additional charge.
*2018 hand luggage policy for budget airlines
56x45x25cm
pics: GETTY IMAGES