Myself and a few other orchestra members have put our thinking caps on and we came up with our recommended tour packing essentials. I hope they are helpful.

One – Playing cards
We will spend lots of time in airports, on buses and in hostels/hotels and the best way to pass the time is with a couple of card games.

Two – Camera
We will be visiting so many picturesque places so to make sure you capture the moment, you might want to bring a camera to keep those memories forever.

Three – Travel Adapter
To keep that all important camera charged, you are going to need to make sure you have an adapter suitable for South Africa, this can easily be purchased on amazon or in the airport when we leave.

Four – Pen/Pencil
Better keep a pen handy, especially when it comes to voting for the Tour Awards and there better be a pencil on everyone’s music stand for any final adjustments David wishes to make while on tour.

Five – Sun Cream
It may be winter in South Africa but the days can get very sunny and I am sure older and former members of the orchestra can show you a few old photos of sun burnt friends, I can remember some very red people on the beach in St. Pete’s who probably wish that they had used some more sun cream.

Six – Enough Underwear
We will be away for 17 days, so it doesn’t take a genius to guess how many pairs of underwear you should be taking, or maybe it does. I remember back in 2013 in the nuclear bunker watching ‘someone’ washing his boxers in a sink and drying them with a hair dryer as he didn’t pack enough for the whole tour.

Seven – A pair of tights
The best way to keep you kilt from being creased in your suitcase it to roll it up and put it in the leg of a pair of tights. This may sound odd but trust me, it works.

Eight – Inflatable Neck Pillow
Sleeping on planes and buses can be uncomfortable, to avoid getting a sore neck I suggest you invest an a neck pillow and to make it easier to fit in your ruck sack an inflatable one is the best way to go.

Nine – Your Comfiest Trainers
An AFO tour always involves a lot of walking so be prepared, bring a few pairs of solid, comfy trainers. Whether it be Converse, Vans, Sketchers or Nike’s make sure you have shoes that you know you can ceilidh dance in, cause you never know when the opportunity will arise.

Ten – Your Cheesiest smile
Your cheeks better be ready to smile because your picture is going to be taken about every 30 seconds, whether it’s a group shot outside a famous landmark or during a concert this tour will be well documented in photographs.  Don’t think just because you are asleep that your picture won’t still be taken!

-Hannah