Lets have a look at a holiday by car, this country or abroad. The
luggage space will be better than air or coach travel, but may
still be restricted by family and the size of the car.

However, the chances are that a fair amount of gear can be taken,
but there is still a need to ask - is there any chance that I
will need it ?

Of course, if you have a caravan, within the loading
restrictions, things can ease even more - but be wary of
security. I tend to leave my gear locked in the car boot as being
out of sight and in the most secure place.

Don't attempt to carry a huge camera bag on an evening stroll
along the sea front - not if you value your marriage !

So, I take a medium size tripod laying tight to one side of the
boot. Big tripods are - big - and small ones are of little use,
they blow about in a wind. I also take a monopod, which is a one
legged tripod. In fact, I take this almost everywhere that I take
a camera except by air. It provides support directly to the
ground and is easily carried - a good strong one can also be a
defensive weapon.

My monopod cost less than £20 and is a substantial Manfroto
design. The ball and socket head was a further £15 - but the
regular use of a monopod, which can also double as a walking
stick, will give generally sharper pictures.

If a video is taken, then the charging lead and battery flattener
are also included in a separate polythene bag.

Camera gear depends on the holiday, or day out. If it is to a
likely photo spot - lets say the open air museum at BEAMISH, then
I might try and take, and carry, a lot. People laugh, but you are
likely to get the results.

Everything is in a stout, medium sized soft bag - mine is from
JESSOPS - their make - you don't need the big names. It was 1/3
the cost of the equivalent big name and does the same job. But,
if the weather is good, I rarely carry it with me, preferring to
hang gear from shoulders and put film in pockets.

I have a small shoulder bag - not meant to be photographic - for
family walks, days out etc. It carries all I need and doesn't say
'camera' to a thief.

EXHIBITIONS...  these can be a bit different. Lets take the motor
show. I go in the car, so have lots of room - but you have to
remember the conditions in the hall. Crushed and cramped. I've
also found that the type of picture that can be taken is limited
by crowds and lighting.

So many people over-estimate the ability of the tiny flash in
most compacts and some SLR's. I use faster film and try for shots
without flash, or to assist the flash. There are plenty of hand
rails to rest cameras on.

So, this time the camera bag gets used but, the first job at home
is to empty it. Then I decide on cameras - say video and an SLR
with short zoom. They go in at each end.

Video batteries, fully charged and a spare tape - but I've never
needed one.

Flash gun with spare batteries for it, and the camera. Some
diffusers for the flash and plenty of film. Film leader retriever
and a changing bag, the latter in the car boot.

The rest of the space is for light waterproof, sandwiches etc,
but NOT drinks. Never put drinks in with your cameras !!!