Vital items in my carry-on bag, in no particular order

Book
Case for my hearing aids
Cotton buds (vital for itchy ears)
Spare underwear and maybe clothes and shoes (depending on whether I checked a suitcase or not)
Handbag (to save me carrying it separately)
Anti-histamines and anti-baby tablets
Nail clippers
Torches
Trasers
Hair brush and hair essentials
Printouts of all bookings
Empty vial so I can collect any interesting item I come across - insects etc.
Binoculars
First aid essentials
Large woolen scarf 1.5 m x 1.5 m with antique brooch which can serve as blanket, umbrella, picnic rug, dressy shawl, swag, tent, padding for fragiles, sling, bandage, or any other applications I can come up with (a true Hitchhiker would carry a towel for this purpose but my scarf is more elegant)
"Qantas cloths" - the cotton disposable towels provided in Qantas Club bathrooms

My handbag (inside the carry-on) contains:
Pens
USB memory key
Hearing aid batteries
Bag for hearing aids
Carry bags
Small torch
Nail clippers
Pocket knife (removed when flying)
Comb
Small vial for specimens
Cough lollies
Lip balm
"Qantas cloths"
Keys
Hair clips
Purse

My purse (inside my handbag which is inside the carry-on) contains:
Money
Credit cards
Rain scarf (one day someone will invent water-proof hearing aids! Please?
Emergency numbers
Comb
Postage stamps
Assorted membership cards - museum, health insurance, frequent flyer etc.
Zip-lock bag for specimens or hearing aids

My passport and spare credit card reside in an internal pocket of my clothing where they can only be accessed by removing my clothes.

Mr Falconea carries his camera, laptop and lots of spare batteries.

Audrey