Originally Posted by tredford01
I am quite worried about how ... how to secure the bike with all the luggage when I go into shops etc.
Don't worry about the belongings strapped to your bike when stopping in towns and villages. Just take the usual security precautions: park your bike in a conspicuous location, lock it securely, and bring your valuables with you (wallet, camera, etc.) I always leave my loaded panniers on my bike. I would feel sorry for anyone who opened one. After a couple of days on the road, panniers are dirty and stinky. I have heard of people who strap soiled underwear to the outside of their panniers to discourage thieves, but that may be going too far!
In very small villages, I sometimes do not lock my bike if I am popping into a store for a few minutes. I do keep an eye on it, though.