First time self catering - what do I need to take?

SoozyJ22

Towels were a (free) optional extra, so I know those will definitely be provided.

I quite like the 'wait and see' approach in theory, but am not sure it's really me

carebear13

Dont forget matches! and also hot water bottles in case its really cold. caravans dont always have heating in bedrooms and cottages can be cold if they have been empty for a little while.

[Deleted User]

I tend to take tea, coffee, milk, bread, margarine, jam, quiche, bagged salad, a cous cous dish and cheese. Also, a sharp knife, cutting board, water bottles and a cafetiere.

This is flexible enough to make an evening meal if we are too tired to eat out the first night (quiche and salad), breakfast the next day of toast and jam and also a picnic (quiche, cheeses, bread, salad, cous cous) the next day. Also, the Tupperware you carry the cous cous and quiche in are very handy once they are empty. We put the cold stuff in a rucksack style cool bag which we can also use for picnics.

I takes a bit of cooking before you go, but then you do not need to cook or shop the first day or so.

SoozyJ22

I'm back from a lovely week in Cornwall and thought I should post an update. The one thing I missed that no-one had mentioned was oven gloves. None were provided so I had to make do with tea towels which I really don't like. Then I spotted some very pretty oven gloves in a shop and it seemed like the perfect reason to buy them. Not very MSE, but my old ones were getting tatty and it probably saved my poor hands from being burnt at some point so well worth it.

Things that were provided that I wasn't sure about: washing up liquid, washing up scourer, 2 tea towels, one loo roll. There was a small tray of sugar/UHT milk etc, and some custard creams, but I'd taken my own hot chocolate and am not a fan of custard creams so didn't touch those.

Torry_Quine

SoozyJ22 wrote: »

I'm back from a lovely week in Cornwall and thought I should post an update. The one thing I missed that no-one had mentioned was oven gloves. None were provided so I had to make do with tea towels which I really don't like. Then I spotted some very pretty oven gloves in a shop and it seemed like the perfect reason to buy them. Not very MSE, but my old ones were getting tatty and it probably saved my poor hands from being burnt at some point so well worth it.

Things that were provided that I wasn't sure about: washing up liquid, washing up scourer, 2 tea towels, one loo roll. There was a small tray of sugar/UHT milk etc, and some custard creams, but I'd taken my own hot chocolate and am not a fan of custard creams so didn't touch those.

glad you had a good time.

I've always had toilet rolls, cleaning materials, tea towels and oven-gloves provided and never replaced them

OneYorkshireLass

Sorry, I think there's been some confusion over my wording. I didn't mean you had to go out and buy loo roll when you're on your hols. I meant if you take loo roll then you should leave it for the next person, not bring it home with you. 'Replace' was the wrong word. Although the housekeeper/cleaner has enough to do in a short space of time without going out buying bog roll, so we tend to not leave one sheet hanging from the roll but make sure there's some left. I guess it's just how I've been brought up . It's not so important with kitchen roll, but one thing you wanna do is go to the loo when you arrive!!

p00hsticks

SoozyJ22 wrote: »

The one thing I missed that no-one had mentioned was oven gloves. None were provided so I had to make do with tea towels which I really don't like.

Sorry, yes, I've had the same thing happen to me once, but it slipped my mind otherwise I would have mentioned it. That's one of the items that are a pain not to have, not only because they they can be quite expensive to go out and buy but also because you only tend to realise there aren't any at the point you want to take something hot out of the oven !

One more thing in case anyone else is using this thread as a checklist is a kitchen timer - I once spent much of the first few days of our holidays trying to locate a shop that sold a cheap once after finding the house didn't have one. I took one with me for the next few holdays after that but don't bother now, as I can just use the alarm in my mobile at a pinch.

Mojisola

OneYorkshireLass wrote: »

Sorry, I think there's been some confusion over my wording. I didn't mean you had to go out and buy loo roll when you're on your hols. I meant if you take loo roll then you should leave it for the next person, not bring it home with you. 'Replace' was the wrong word. Although the housekeeper/cleaner has enough to do in a short space of time without going out buying bog roll, so we tend to not leave one sheet hanging from the roll but make sure there's some left. I guess it's just how I've been brought up . It's not so important with kitchen roll, but one thing you wanna do is go to the loo when you arrive!!

Which is why loo rolls should be provided as part of the cost of the holiday!

Apart from one cottage, everywhere I've stayed has provided enough loo rolls for the week.

Torry_Quine

Mojisola wrote: »

Which is why loo rolls should be provided as part of the cost of the holiday!

Apart from one cottage, everywhere I've stayed has provided enough loo rolls for the week.

Me too. Surely when the place is made ready for the next occupants checking the amount of toilet roll available is part of that. :eek:

DigForVictory

Glad you had a good time & now have a souvenier with a purpose! As well as a better idea of what may or may not be included in these self catering holidays...