A few tips.

[NorthernRaider]

Good post Charles and well thought out, On the " Stuck some place strange" issue I try to ( but sometimes forget) always do a google of my intended destination in advance of going for the location of Sports / Camping/ Outdoor / Gun shops, plus Car / Van hire depots, Chemists as well as a couple of alternative Hotels to the one I'm booked in. Google has made me a tad lazy at times though one of these days I will get stuck in a strange place and be unable to get a Google search on my phone.

I still often send a parcel in advance of travel of extra clothing and gear to my destination if I'm staying there more than a few days.