I travel quite a bit and often find that when I get cold (either at home or travelling) I find it very hard to sleep or settle. In Australia I travel with my own home made wheat bag - which I made.

It is a little corduroy bag which I have filled with wheat, and I put it in a microwave overn for 1 - 2 minutes (see warning below), and toss it into my bed about 10 minutes before I go to bed.

Of course some beds have an electric blanket, but I have found that staying with friends or family especially in winter, I need my wheat bag. I could have a hot water bag you say? I do not think they are safe and if they should break, which I know they do from time to time, you have a wet and cold bed and other issues to deal with.

When I was coming to China I knew I couldn't bring it with me. (You cannot import items of food/agriculture.) I hoped it would be warm here, but I arrived after the coldest weather in 50 years and it was still freezing. My first night was a nightmare!

Getting wheat wasn't easy - but I thought of rice - it too is a grain. Getting rice in China is easy. I purchased a little towel, and using a sewing kit I found in my apartment I handstitched a little bag, put the rice into it and handsewed the opening. Voila! A rice bag.

That first night after I'd warmed it in the microwave oven for 2 minutes and placed it in the bed, I knew I had created a solution to my problem. I was warm all night. The grains maintain heat for a long time!

And I have a cosy night's sleep with my rice bag to warm my bed, and my doona over the top.

Warning - do not leave it in the microwave oven for too long. Try one minute to start with. If it is in for too long it can burn and create a fire - which will keep you warm, but cause other problems!!!!!