60th. Birthday Present.

Does this mean that you'll sell the B&B?

I don't use a rucksack - if that is the same thing as what we North Americans call a backpack. Husband and self each have a very nifty small wheelie. Don't remember the name and it' down in the basement and I am lazy and it is probably irrelevant anyway since there is an ocean between us. His neck issues and my back issues make backpacks impossible but these wheelies are great.

BUT they are very good wheelies, costing about $200+ each so they would be a great retirement gift. Has big wheels and the mechanism is very light so it does not take up much of the weight. It is VERY easy to wheel anywhere - cobblestones, potholes, uneven pavement, muddy ditches. You name, it I have wheeled it through Asia and Central America plus lots of 1st world countries. It's about 5 years old now and is still in great shape. It has a small daypack zipped onto the front and when I've got it all full easily fits within airline limits (-30 lbs I think but I don't remember, but I never pay extra).

There are backpack straps that fold away - have never used them to date. There is a good sturdy handle on the top and on either side as well as the wheelie handle that pops out of course.

But if it were me I would be looking for one of those new netbooks. They are about $300 here in Canada. Like a small laptop, but much lighter and smaller. They are wireless so you can check email and make internet bookings, view travel info, write your journal ...whatever. That would be a GREAT gift.

I am also hankering after an ipod. Both for music and for storing photos.

I am assuming you have a good camera?

It depends on your travel style and places you go to.
I won't recommend any particular brand, as for me it really doesn't matter (I know for a lot of people does).
I use rather small rucksack, 30 l, which has only one compartment, two big side pockets and one top pocket.
I use the side pockets for sandals (or my other pair of shoes) and the top pocket for a book, snacks, or whatever I need handy.
Rucksack/backpack is the way to go if you want to travel individually (as opposed to organized, with bus service etc), move from one place to another on local transport, and stay in places where pavements or even surfaces aren't the standard.
30 l as I use it, is too small for most travellers. It's absolutely enough for me - afterall there are laundry services everywhere. It's easy to handle on local transports and within the limits of carry on luggage.
Apart from the rucksack I use a small waist bag for my wallet, tickets, dig camera, fags.

Rucksack/backpack is the way to go if you want to travel individually (as opposed to organized, with bus service etc), move from one place to another on local transport, and stay in places where pavements or even surfaces aren't the standard.<

It's all a matter of personal choice and if your back and knees are up to it, you may find a rucksack more appealing, but to imply that wheelies are only for people on organized tours who walk on smooth pavement is completely erroneous.

My wheelie has been uncomplainingly tagging along behind me for the past several years. It has enjoyed the view from the roof of chicken buses in Central America, been dragged up and down the muddy banks of the Mekong more times than I could count, bumped over the crumbling sidewalks of Mexico and hoisted by its handle across a hundred fetid ditches.

Right now it is calling me from the basement, "I thought you said we were spending the winter backpacking through South America!" And so we well, just be a little more patient.

A great ad for a zoomer wheelie, but not so much for where you've been.

It screams, "But why travel at all, schnooks"?

"Does this mean that you'll sell the B&B? "

Only if you pay me £1.5m, otherwise the management trainee we appointed in August 2008 will take over - with me doing distant marketing (relevant to the replies above.)

The replies were really helpful in consolidating my thoughts.

The decision, which has been promulgated, I want to acheive a lifetime's desire = an antique gold pocket watch.

The 'rucksack' I will buy and IF it is stolen/lost then I will not feeel guilty.