Ok, so rather than choose a netbook one actually chose me when passing a cash converter type shop. HP pavilion DM1, and initial reaction is it seems pretty cool. Enough storage for photos and music, nice and light and I'm getting 4-5 hours out of the battery. The 11" screen is surprisingly workable too.
Thanks all for your input, now lets hit that airport :)
Well you seem set on the idea of taking the ipad - its an expensive piece of kit to carry considering it doesn't fulfill many of your requirements apart form facetime. Couldn't you take a smartphone (if you have one between you) to do the basic web browsing and use an app like skype for video calling? Just a suggestion.
Get a netbook. For what you need, it fits the bill. I had one till it finally packed up but now I'm using a Nexus 7 with an OTG cable to hook up external hdd's, card readers etc.
