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Submitted by: Max Trenton
Like the Boy Scouts, your best bet when renting a cottage is to be prepared. Every rental is different in terms of what the renter is providing and if you’re there for a week or more, you don’t want to find yourself driving to the nearest store to stock up on all the things you forgot!
The first step is to read the list of what is provided very carefully. Many rentals do not provide linens or towels, which are essential unless you enjoy sleeping in your clothes! Some don’t have a coffee machine, which if you are like me, is a life saving instrument! Know what you’re getting and then make a list of all the things you will need.
Here is a useful list to get you started:
1. First aid kit, including specific items for kids and dogs, like children’s pain reliever and doggy bandages! You could be a fair distance from a doctor or vet. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician and veterinarian what you would be best to pack. Do a little research beforehand and make sure you know where the nearest emergency clinic / hospital is and the phone number, for both the two legged and four legged kids of all ages!
Make sure also to include some remedy for poison ivy / poison oak, like calamine lotion. Nothing ruins a trip faster than a good dose of the itches!
2. Sunscreen
3. Bug spray
4. Bed linens, bathing towels and kitchen linens (cloths) if not provided. If they are provided, you will still need item 5 (below)!
5. Beach towels (separate from bathing towels): the cottage owners probably didn’t intend for you to haul their cottage towels down to the water, to get full of sand and such.
6. Any special kitchen utensils – we once received a set of weenie roasting forks and these have accompanied us on every trip since! They’re also perfect for marshmallows!
7. A board game or two, for rainy weather.
8. DVDs (if a player is provided), for evenings or rainy days.
9. Books, magazines and playing cards.
10. Clothes – I have yet to rent a place that has a washer / dryer, so consider the possibility that you will hand wash a few “essentials” but that otherwise, you’ve got to last the duration of your rental or make a trip to town to the local Laundromat. Sweatshirts / sweaters for evening and long pants too, in case it’s cool and buggy! A wind / rain jacket will allow outdoor fun to continue, no matter what the weather brings.
11. Depending on where you are going and what time of year, you might want to consider bug suits: they aren’t fashion show pretty but they certainly make that hike in the woods more palatable!
12. Food Glorious Food! There is nothing worse than a restful vacation where you are shopping and cooking, as if you were at home! You know what I mean, Moms! Pre plan your menu for the duration of the trip and focus on BBQ related recipes (assuming you have a BBQ) as well as a few oven based items. In a thunderstorm, you’ll appreciate the frozen lasagna you can pop into the oven, instead of getting soaking standing in front of the BBQ. Don’t forget the all important snacks and drinks. Verify if the water at the cottage is potable – if not, you should bring your own. Don’t forget things like coffee, tea, and other drinkables of the adult variety, if that’s your pleasure!
Other Items to Consider:
1. With little kids, don’t forget sand / water toys and their favorite bed time item. If you have a baby with you, consider bringing their own portable play pen with a bug net, so they can be outside too!
2. We always bring some toilet paper and paper towels with us while these are generally provided; one man’s paper needs aren’t always the same as another’s and you could find yourself running short.
3. If you are renting near a town, plan a trip to town about midway through your vacation you can stock up on any dwindling supplies and it makes for a change of scenery for kids of all ages. It usually means a stop at the local ice cream outlet but hey, that’s what summer is all about!
Of course, there will be things that aren’t on this list that you consider as essential to your trip. The really important part is making the list and, like Santa, checking it twice. Otherwise, it is almost guaranteed that you will be half way to your destination and groaning that you forgot something!
About the Author: To learn more about cottages and cottage rentals, please visit
findcottage.ca
Source:
isnare.com
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