July 2, 2007
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Ack! Ack! Too Many Things!
I have discovered that I’ve not planned very well for this trip to England. We leave Saturday, and most normal people would have all their ducks in a row at this point. Usually I’d have all my downy friends lined up as well, but not this time. What was I thinking? Last night my mind was in a swirl and my stomach spinning to match while I thought of all I’d not done. But, this evening shines differently as I’ve got our 8 day flexipass Britrail tickets, train tickets from London to Reading, travel cards for while in London, the LondonPass which allows us free/reduced admission to museums, etc. in London, changed our hotel reservations (I eliminated going to the Bronte museum and plan to go with the kids when we go back for our four month stay February-May 2008. We now have a day with yanniesue and an extra day in London.) The nice thing is that even though I waited until the last minute, I only wound up paying an extra $10 American for expedited shipping.
There is absolutely no reason for me to insert this picture. I just wanted to do so. Nodding, orange marigold…
Tonight, poor TGD doesn’t get to relax as he has a project (math review thing) that MUST be done before we leave. I, in my unemployed bliss, am heading off for a hot bath. My toughest choices tonight will be which BBW bubble bath to use (pineapple? cherry blossom? raspberry vanilla?), which book to read (the dull P&P sequel? England for Dummies?), and whether or not I should eat a bowl of Jax cheese twists (I already had ice cream. How many snacks can one have in an evening before growing a pink, curly tail?)They’re actually Shasta daisies and hyssop in my garden, but let’s pretend they are English daisies and English heather.
What
are your best travel tips, especially for long trips and for airplanes?
Also, my Anglophile friends, what should I definitely NOT miss?
Comments (28)
The Tower of London……it sounds so cool. My son toured it and loved it; my daughter did not – she was saving $…..but to see all those steps and rooms traversed and inhabited by so many living legends. Sigh. I wish I were going in your pocket….but, you’ll be there for 4 months! You’ll be able to see it all! I could positively drool, but that would gunk up my keyboard, so I will resist. Happy packing!
How long is your actual trip? Do you have layovers anywhere? Is it overnight? Take a good book, a neck pillow and hope you can sleep–if it is a night flight. I also started sudoku on my last flights.
I like fiction, especially historical fiction–escape reading that doesn’t resemble real life (NOT science fiction though). I just don’t have time to read it. And I feel horribly guilty if I read fiction when there is all this other stuff I should read. I don’t think I’ve read any fiction since I posted those M.M. Kaye books on my other blog, and that was months ago. Right now I am swamped with ebooks I haven’t read, and then homeschool magazines and this book I am currently reading. Fiction doesn’t even appeal right now. I would rather listen to a book on tape or CD and spend the time cross-stitching.
Have a great time on your trip…..!! I just wanted to stop by and say hi and thanks for stopping by the site. I hope you’ll come back and visit when you get back from your trip. Be safe!
I had to laugh at the pink, curly-tailed comment. I’m, uh, not one to give advice on that since I’m on my fifth or sixth snack for the evening. Granted, I’ve been eating veggies, fruit and healthy junk, but still eating nonetheless. Work stress makes me want to eat… oy.
But anyway. I’m so excited about this trip you’re taking! It’s almost like I’m going myself! =) Can’t wait to see all the pictures!
England….. I am jealous :0
I love your flower pics!
Pretty flowers!!!
. Hm nothing unique in there, I suppose…
Um… airplane trips… good book (as if you need any help with that one!). The comfiest clothes you won’t be embarrassed going out in. Set your watch to the time zone of your destination when you get on the plane, then try to sleep on the flight; it helps with jet lag… if you can’t sleep, watching whatever movie they put on often really helps…
Have a wonderful, safe, exciting trip!!!
I love your pictures! And I am getting excited for you. Did you get the new camera? Because we are going to need alot of pictures from you!
They look like English flowers to me! lol
I didn’t realize you were going to England TWICE! Lucky you. I’ve never been out of the states.
Sounds nifty!
I encourage you to be on the lookout for ministry opportunities… people who need to hear about Jesus, people who need to see Jesus’ extraordinary love in action…. We’ve been studying through Mark, and we recently read about when Jesus told the disciples to ‘come away by themselves and rest a while’. But when they got there, there were thousands of people waiting for them. Instead of being annoyed, Jesus was ‘moved with compassion’ and went on to teach and feed them.
Also, the amazing conversation and whole-town-getting-saved event in Samaria took place when Jesus had just sent his disciples away and sat down for some quiet R&R time. If you’re prepared and if you ask God for an eternally profitable trip, amazing things can happen, beyond mere fun and relaxation…
Definitely the Tower of London. And I may have given you this tip before but be there when it opens and then go see the crown jewels. That’s the part that gets crowded the fastest. When you are there first, you get to take your time. At other times your feel like cattle being herded through the chutes.
I’ve never been to England (still trying not to be jealous) but I do have advice for long plane trips. Besides book, crossword puzzle book, sudoku, and knitting, take Tylenol PM, earplugs, eyemask, socks to keep your feet warm, and anything else that might help you sleep. There is nothing worse than being out over an ocean somewhere, bored with all your mind-diverters, sick of the stupid movies, and unable to sleep. Actually, the best advice would be to fly first class so that you have plenty of room to recline and sprawl without ending up in a stranger’s lap.
I can’t wait to hear all about it! We’ll be flying the same day, but we’ll be in CA by noon. I’ll think of you~ Bon voyage!
Pack a few things in your carry-on bag to tide you over in case your luggage arrives later than you do!
You are going to have a blast! As a non-European traveler (my turn will come one of these days I hope) I’m counting on you to have enough fun for the rest of us!
Hugs
Read the incredibly helpful “graffiti” tips at the Rick Steves website http://www.ricksteves.com Tons of info on how to pack, what to see, scams to avoid, etc. etc.! HAVE FUN!
I had a professor in college who said “ducks in a row” so much that it became a joke among the students, but I like “downy friends” as you say. A good friend always says that she needs “to get my brains together” over something – makes me chuckle every time as it’s so true! I often have brain pieces scattered hither and yon. Enjoy your trip!
Baker Street of course! Must see the place. I expect picts of you smoking a pipe in Holmes’ parlour!
I have no travel tips except you probably will forget something and you can buy it there, so relax.
Hope you have a great time Mary!!! I do enjoy England but do not consider myself an anglophile. However I would not miss two or three things: at least one castle, a stroll in the countryside and last but not least a cream teas at a tea room. Hope that helps. As far as the plane ride – if you can manage it try to sleep and when you are awake take a walk and or exercise your legs every hour at the very least. These are just common sense I know. but will keep you well.
Happy touristing!
Stephenie
Don’t forget to tickle one of those guards with the big, furry hats. No wait, that will get you in trouble. Never mind…..
Are you going to be able to see any of the places where Pride & Prejudice was filmed? That’s what I would love to see.
As for long trips, they do say you should try to get up and move around at least every couple of hours. Take care, and have a safe and fun adventure!
Ack! That makes me sad that I wasn’t at Panera when you came. Ahh, these things that try men’s souls…
Wow, class year-round? I think I’d like that as long as my friends all did it with me, but as I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t happen, I suppose making money over the summer isn’t so terribly dreadful.
Nevertheless, I’m jealous that you’re visiting England and I’m stuck in State College working all summer.
Oh, boy; I’m sorry about messing up your blog. At least on my end, my long url seems to have forced the pages wider. You could edit that post and remove the url. The item can be found at the LL Bean site under “Travel” and is called a “passport organizer.”
I’m a rather unseasoned traveler, so I don’t have any tips . . . but have a lovely trip and take lots of pictures for the rest of us who are with you in spirit!
You must take gobs and gobs of pictures in England, and post them all!! I implore thee.
Yes. Plenty of pictures and journal. For the plane ride take two aspirin before you take off to avoid any clotting. Take some dramamine or whatever will help you sleep. Socks and a light sweater/jacket are a must – the plane stays cold. Wear comfortable clothing. My hubby says sights to see: of course, The Tower of London, Westminster Cathedral, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Portabella Road (the largest flea market in the world open Saturdays) and, of course, Herod’s Department store = you must go shopping! PLEASE STAY SAFE!!
England? how did i miss the fact that you’ve been planning a trip to the country i love best in all the world?! what’s the occasion? and how do you get to go back for four months later?
if you get a chance, take a bus to oxford for the day. listen to an evensong in Christ Church Cathedral, eat lunch at the Eagle and Child, visit the house of C.S. Lewis and the grave of J.R.R. Tolkien, walk through Christ Church meadow and pause on the footbridge over the Thames, and stop by the Gloucester market to look for the gypsies. explore the Bodleian library, go for a dance at the Purple Turtle… and generally speaking, just give my love to my home away from home. barely a night goes by when i don’t dream of those gleaming spires and the streets beneath them.
Yeah my family is doing something for the 4th :-/… and the car situation is iffy anyhow. Have fun in England and take a bajillion pictures! I hope to see yall sometime sooooon!!!!
Love,
Me
*pumps fist*
Mary, Be sure to see in London St. Paul’s, Westminster, Big Ben, changing of the horse guard, pose with an English Bobby, walk the Tower Bridge, Trafalgar’s Square (& the pigeons!), Buckingham Palace and Picadilly Circus, in Bath don’t miss the Roman Baths and the Royal Crescant- Bath is a big little city full of flowers. For your airplane ride take a small blanket and a good book or a portable DVD player and some food, most airlines charge $$$ for meals. I too, have to buy a new camera. I certainly want a good camera for my trip in August. Have a great time!!!! TMK
Tertia would probably tell you to go to a play at the Globe. The seats in the very front are less expensive. They have a special olde English name for the riff raff that has to stand right by the stage. She migh also suggest having cream tea, and Kensington park.
Here’s the thing I always forget for the plane ride: a good book. I’m sure you will have several. Happy Traveling!