VACATIONTIME

Since our departure draws near I thought I would start working on some lists and calendars. My first goal is going to be a rough calendar for our events, of course with the help of Lina. And then I will work on packing lists to go along with our daily plans.

I think things will be a little better when we hear something from the McNieschs once they are there so that we can all calm down a little.

We can also start working on some of the logistics. For example our outbound flights on the 2nd are 3 hours apart, are we going to the airport together? I know we are waiting the 2 hours for you guys to arrive and I don't mind waiting but this is important because this of course means we have to be ready to go earlier than if we plan based solely on when our flight leaves. So yeah.

So I think it would be best if you one of you could drop Justin & I off at the airport. Then later you guys would go to the airport and park at Hertz for your flight. I imagine Robert will drive down and meet up with you guys in Hialeah.

Ernie, you should consider how you're getting to the airport as well.

Congratulations, Ernie and Eileen are taking the Trance Atlantic flight on Virgin Airways to Heathrow/London. You will need to arrive at MIA at 1:30 p.m. to make this flight. I will offer my services to get you to this flight, I can either pick you up at Ernie's house in Miami Lakes and take you (I do not prefer this option) or get you to come here to my work, drive you and keep your vehicle and get it back to Miami Lakes at a later date (I prefer this option b/c then I can do this whole thing on my lunch break without taking time off). Your car will be in good hands. I will also pick you up on Sunday due to too many passengers and luggage without being picked up. (Of course, payback's a bitch and you will have to take me and charles to the airport for our Paris Southampton Transatlantic cruise adventure possibly maybe. . . but probably not. but you would do that anyway, so yeah.)

I personally think that your better option for London craziness and for Eileen (who I assume has not been there) to see the most is to get an open top tour buss ticket (just google it) and do that. Yes, it is pricey, but the routes are super convenient and fast for getting from Harrod's over to the British Museum and back yonder round Trafalger square. I think Eileen would really enjoy the jewelry displays at the British Museum and the shopping at Harrods, and the beauty of St James' park, and the art at the National Gallery (Trafalger Square) and then you can hop in St. Martin in the Fields church (also Trafalger Square) which is a pretty church and free and more accessable than let's say, West Minister. But you should also go and take that open top bus to St. James Cathedral b/c it is just so historic and beautiful. The buss ticket gets you a free or discounted (i can't remember) lunch at an authentic pub that had pretty decent food. It also drives right by Big Ben and the London Eye and through the neighborhoods on the South Bank. Those are my thoughts on that.

You should be also thinking about making your tube route plan from Heathrow. It took us approx. 1 hour to get from the airport to our hotel, not including the 45 minutes in customs, so I think the changing of the gaurd is out, but THERE IS A MUCH BETTER SHOW at St. James' park, which I will look up in my guidebook at home which less people know about and is cooler b/c you don't have to look through a gate and can get right up in the action and there are horses. I think it is the changing of the mounted guard, or something if you want to try and google it.

looking at your itenerary, I would highly recommend (if you are definately not spending a night in Paris) leaving your luggage at St. Pancreas (or even better London bridge somehow) station. REMEMBER not all tube stations have elevators. This is a huge problem when you have luggage.

I should get to airport 6 hours before my flight?

I can't do math. no, 3 hours beforehand.

so i dunno...

i checked and there are lockers in Victoria if I wanted to be crazy and go to the changing of the guard. I will have to leave my luggage in st. pancreas when i go to paris. they have a left luggage desk there that stays open late.

I have been noting a few things that I have to do and wanted to share them with everyone:

1. As the McNieshes have commented, make sure to contact all your credit card and ATM companies to let them know about your trip. That is also a good time to discuss international fees, as well.

2. Clear out your fridges before the trip to avoid a scary process when you return. I think we all have one more garbage day coming up.

3. Make sure to put a hold on mail and newspapers or other deliveries you may be getting.

4. Review your chargers and film/camera needs. Remember that we will be dealing with different plugs and different voltage.

More tips to come! :)

I spoke to Chrissy last night and we came up with a plan that sounds interesting. She would drop of the Armstrongs at MIA and then swing by Pembroke Pines to pick me up and take me to Hialeah to be with the rest of pack.

Comments?

So Chrissy would likely make it to your house at 12:30PM. That means you can't really plan to do any packing Saturday. Can you handle that??

It might be doable, especially since Arlyn wants to help me pack!

I'm stressing. I dont know what NOT to pack. I need help. To pack that is. ;)

presently 63 degrees in London, with high of 74 for the week and low of 59.

comfortable shoes, short sleeves with cardigans and a jacket, some shorts, mostly pants, no more than one outfit per day (if that since you have laundry in the house I assume).

hope this helps.

It will actually be a little cooler than in London since we are in the country. :)

Partly cloudy next week with highs around 20 and lows around 15. In Fahrenheit that's highs around 67 and lows around 60. Chance of precip around 10%.

Sounds like great weather! I"m planning on taking one cardigan (off white)since they take up a lot of space. A sweater perhaps? I'also taking a few of the Old NAvy long sleeved shirts but they are thin, so I believe they'll do,a couple of short sleeved , 1-2jeans, capri pants1 or 2 and long black pants. I will like to get a windbreaker, I think Im going to go to Burlington Coat to see what I find.

I'm taking my skechers(great for walking),flip flops(1) and I think I should pack a dressier pair, my black sandals?

why not already be packed? you must own more than one week worth of clothes. i guess they might get wrinkled+