Grad Trip to the UK--Day 1

Day 1

Sunday, July 21

Our flight was at night and so we made sure to eat before we left for the airport although they fed us dinner on the plane. First class is really the way to go when it is an 8 hour flight over the Atlantic from Dallas/Ft Worth to Heathrow London.

 Our seats swiveled and they reclined back flat for a bed and also a foot rest and lumbar support. We were given slippers, pjs if you wanted them, and a little zippered pouch with toothpaste, floss, and toothbrush. Also your own tv screen that offered a choice of many movies and tv shows to watch, including new release movies! We were glad to have our own snacks although the food was good, it was odd items that we were not used to. There were several appetizers, a soup, and salad and then a few different entrees to choose from. Alot of 'little food'.

Of course pillow and blankets were supplied. I had my own cozy soft socks.

It was a really nice flight and the flight attendants were really nice and attentive. Real linen and silverware...wine....all part of it and they also gave you earbuds to keep too and offered Bose headsets to borrow. Although again, I had my own and mine were noise cancelling so I had to take them off to talk to the flight attendants and to hear them.

One good note, if they offer you something on the plane in first class, just say yes. Be careful when you turn down food especially because you may not want one particular item item but it came with everything else so when you said no, that meant to it all! Besides, don't be afraid to try something new and never know if your taste buds have changed.

***Special Note***
Remember as you leave your phone at home, make sure to bring a watch so you can know what the time is.

Grad Trip to the UK--Itinerary

 Before I go off on a trip, I like to sit down and run thru the trip in my mind and write it down on paper and try to think about every little thing I would use, wear, or what we will be doing so I can try to be sure that I don't forget to take anything. This trip in particular, I really wanted to be sure that it went off without a hitch. So this is my itinerary that I had set down to be sure I had it all.

UK trip

21 days: 

Things to do before trip: (this got erased here as I wrote everything on my notes here on the iPad and then erased it as I completed whatever task or errand I had to do before we left.)

Itinerary:

Sunday-July 21: leave Dallas at 9:20 pm.

Airport--1 suitcase each, one carry-on:

Gogo pillow, passports, old pound money, itinerary and reservations, iPad, iPod, Druid journal, pen, rechargers for iPad, iPod, ID, snacks, business/calling cards, wear sneakers, comfortable but nice clothes

Monday--July 22: arrive in London, get luggage, go thru customs, get taxi to take us to hotel, relax, get something to eat, try to hook up to wifi and email Lloyd and Trey and Facebook that we made it there. Get pound cash withdraw for tomorrow. Call tours to confirm.

Tuesday--July 23: morning 2 hour tour Harry Potter, take reservations, iPad and camera, passport and ID and money and cc,  have fun! Afternoon: relax and/or go exploring, take more money out of bank, can wear sandals

See about getting some Euros. If back in time, go to Highgate Cemetery, Go to bed early!!

Wednesday--July 24: Get to Euston train station for Paris all day tour via taxi, take reservations, iPad, camera, passport and ID, money and cc, ( pounds for taxi and euros for Paris), wear sandals, taxi back to hotel, get to bed early!!

Thursday--July 25: Go 1-2 blocks south to other hotel for EARLY morning pickup for Stonehenge and Bath tour. Take reservations, camera, iPad, passports, ID, money and cc, wear sneakers for all the walking, take money out of ATM

Friday--July 26: Pack and check out of hotel and get to train station for train to Dublin, take money and reservations, ID, can wear sandals, taxi to Temple Bar hotel, relax for night, go to bed early!!

Saturday--July 27: Taxi to train station for all day trip to Aran islands, take reservations, iPad, camera, money, passports, ID, wear sneakers

Sunday--July 28:  Relax in Dublin, shop on Grafton St, see library at Trinity college, wear sneakers or sandals, go to bed early!!

Monday--July 29: Check out of Temple Bar hotel and taxi to train station to train up to Belfast, taxi to fancy hotel, relax and explore, can wear sandals or sneakers, take reservations and money, cc and passport etc,  go to bed early!!

Tuesday--July 30: Hotel pickup for Giant's Causeway and rope bridge tour, bring reservations, ID, cc and money, camera and iPad, wear sneakers,

Wednesday--July 31st: my birthday!! Check out of hotel and taxi to airport to fly to Glasgow. Take reservations, passport, cc, money. Can wear sandals. Meet Billy and Jan at airport--- relax

Thursday---August 1: Relax

Friday--August 2: Relax 

Saturday---August 3: Off to Callanish Standing Stones on isle of Lewis, take passport, ID, cc, money, camera and iPad, can wear sneakers probably

Sunday--August 4: Relax

Monday--August 5: Possible bus to Inverness and b&b overnight stay.

Tuesday--August 6: Catch coach tour to Orkney isles, wear sneakers, take camera, iPad, money, passport, ID

Wednesday--August 7: Return via bus to Fort William

Thursday--August 8: Relax

Friday--August 9: Leave for train for overnight train trip to London, say goodbye, pack all

Saturday--August 10: Arrive in London and taxi to hotel at Heathrow airport, relax

Sunday--August 11: Relax, possible tour, repack for trip home, can wear sandals or sneakers if touring

Monday--August 12: Taxi or shuttle to airport, fly home to Dallas, can wear sandals