Liveaboard tip of the month

Barbara Molin has a clever trick for airline baggage

Ifly long-distance twice a year between Canada and Greece, then travel six hours by bus to Aktio in the Ionian, where my boat is stored for the winter.

I like to travel light and have very little room on Eidos, my 32ft Ted Brewerdesigned, yacht. The less I carry, the better, but I do always make room for spare parts.

So, how do I make the trip more bearable? I often wondered about those neck pillows that other people buy for sleeping on a flight but I never wanted to part with £15 badly enough for a piece of stuffed fabric. I’d rather spend that money on a plate of gavros with some ouzo in a taverna on Ithaka. And then one day, while packing I had an idea...

Take a stocking or pair of tights (gentlemen, you may need to raid your wife’s drawers). You only need one leg, unless you want to make two of them (for your partner, for instance). Tie a knot about 6in from the end of the foot and then stuff the leg with all the undies, t-shirts and sweaters that you’d normally pack until you have a sausage long enough to wrap around your neck. Leave about 6in at the end. You’d be amazed how much you can fit inside, especially if you have one of those XXL ones. Tie a knot when you’re done. Voila! There is your sleep collar.

Just wear the collar like a designer accessory (and yes, you designed it) through check-in, passport control and security and fill your luggage with those spare parts and tools for your boat.

All you need to do when you’re on the plane, is wrap this tube around your neck and tie the ends together with a slip knot. Done. Have a great nap! And if you don’t need it to sleep, you can use it for added lumbar support.

Barbara Molin has been sailing for the past 35 years, living aboard for 20, and cruising in the Mediterranean since 2004.