Shipping your things home Many operators offer to ship goods - you can
find these advertising in the TNT and Southern Cross magazines.  Look
ahead and shop around.

Go for the companies that charge by weight, and make sure you keep within
their guidelines.  It's always better be a few pounds underweight to avoid being
bumped up into the next price level.

Remember also that your prized possessions will be traveling the high seas - so pack
things carefully, load it with padding (scrunched up newspaper will do).  Having it all encased
within plastic wrapping in order to waterproof your treasures is also wise.

While you can send cartons home (take this route if you don't have much to send), it may be better
to hire a trunk.  It may cost a few more pounds, but the cases are sturdy and will live up to a hard
few weeks at sea.  Operators also want their trunks back of course, so will be a little keener to see
your goods delivered and their trunks returned.

Shipping can take up to three months, and operators may offer a "door to door" or "door to port service".
Door to Port is generally cheaper, but beware, you will be charged at the other end for customs fees,
handling charges and unloading fees - and then you still have to go and pick it all up to take home
from there!

These extra costs will vary depending on how much gear you have, but look at a minimum of £100
and go up from there.

Always remember not only to get the contact name and address of the company in the UK, but
also contacts for when you get to the other end.  You may also want to consider insuring
your goods in transit.  Again, prices vary, with many operators advertising in the TNT
and Southern Cross - so shop around.