A Holiday in the Happy Valley with Pen and Pencil | Page 3

by another's experience:--
1. "Compactum" camp-bed with case, and fitted with sockets to take
mosquito netting.
2. Campaigning bedding-bag in Willesden canvas, with bedding
complete.
3. Waterproof sheet.
4. Indiarubber bath.

If shooting in the higher mountains is anticipated, a Wolseley
sleeping-bag should be taken.
5. Small stable-lantern.
6. Rug or plaid--light and warm.
7. Half-a-dozen towels.
8. Deck chair (with name painted on it).
We had also a couple of Roorkhee chairs, and found them most useful.
9. A couple of compressed cane cabin trunks.
9a. The "Ranelagh Pack" is a most useful form of "luggage."
10. Camp kit-bag.
11. Soiled-linen bag, with square mouth, large size. This is an excellent
"general service" bag, and invaluable for holding boots, &c.
12. Large "brief-bag," most useful for stowing guide-books, flasks,
binoculars, biscuits, and such like, that one wants when travelling, and
never knows where to put. Our "yellow bag" carried even tea things,
and was greatly beloved. Like the leather bottèl in its later stage, "it
served to put hinges and odd things in"!
13. Luncheon basket, fitted according to the number of the party.
The above articles can all be bought at the Army and Navy Stores.
14. A light canvas box, fitted as a dressing-case.
Ours were made, according to our own wishes and possessions, by
Williams, of 41 Bond Street. The innumerable glass bottles, so highly
prized by the makers of dressing-cases, should be strictly limited in
number. They are exceedingly heavy, and, as the dressing-case should
be carried by its owner, the less it weighs the more he (or she) will

esteem it.
15. A set of aluminium cooking-utensils is much to be recommended.
They can easily be sold on leaving Kashmir for, at least, their cost
price.
16. Pocket flask. This may be of aluminium also, although personally I
dislike a metal flask.
17. Umbrella--strong, but cheap, as it is sure to be lost or stolen. There
are few things your native loves more than a nice umbrella, unless it be
18. A knife fitted with corkscrew and screwdriver; therefore take two,
and try to keep one carefully locked up.
19. Pair of good field-glasses.
I took a stalking telescope, but it was useless to my shikari, who always
borrowed my wife's binoculars until she lost them--or he stole them!
20. Hats. It is obviously a matter of taste what hats a man should take.
The glossy silk may repose with the frock-coat till its owner returns to
find it hopelessly out of date, its brim being a thought too curly, or its
top impossibly wide; but the "bowler" or Homburg hat will serve his
turn according to his fancy, until, at Aden, he invests in a hideous, but
shady "topee," for one-third of the price he would pay in London; and
this will be his only wear, before sunset, until he again reaches a
temperate climate. Ladies, who are rightly more particular as to the
appearance of even so unlovely a thing as a sola topee, would do well,
perhaps, to buy theirs before starting. Really becoming pith helmets
seem very scarce in the East!
After sunset, or under awnings, any sort of cap may be worn.
21. Shirts and collars are obviously matters of taste. A good supply of
white shirts and collars must be taken to cope with the destruction and
loss which may be expected at the hands of the dobie. Flannel shirts
can be made easily enough from English models in Srinagar.

22. Under-garments should be of Indian gauze for hot weather, with a
supply of thicker articles for camping in the hills.
Cholera belts should on no account be omitted.
23. Socks, according to taste--very few knickerbocker stockings need
be taken, as putties are cheap and usual in Srinagar.
24. Ties--the white ones of the cheap sort that can be thrown away after
use, with a light heart. Handkerchiefs, and a few pairs of white gloves.
25. Sleeping-suits, both thick for camp work and light for hot weather,
should be taken.
26. Dress suit and dinner-jacket.
27. Knickerbocker or knee-breeches, which can be copied in Kashmir
by the native tailor.
Riding-breeches are not in the least necessary unless the traveller
contemplates any special riding expedition. Ordinary shooting
continuations do quite well for all the mounted work the tourist is likely
to do. A pair of stohwasser gaiters may be taken, but even they are not
necessary, neither is a saddle.
A lady, however, should take out a short riding-skirt, or habit, and a
side-saddle.
28. A tweed suit of medium warmth for travelling, and a couple of
flannel suits, will bring the wearer to Srinagar, where he can increase
his stock at a ridiculously low price--about 22 rupees or £1, 9s. 4d. per
suit.
29. Boots. Here, again, the wayfarer is at