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Birdsong's Trip to the UK
First ten days with Peg & George Spatz
October, 2005 - By Glady Birdsong
Do's and Don'ts for Scotland and England Trip
- Take my smaller suitcase. I took the larger one, and I had room I never needed, even with my makeup in it. The smaller one is lighter weight and easier to maneuver.
- Didn't need a short sleeved shirt, but it was useful as an undershirt.
- Get pants slickers. Larry took his, but forgot to bring them when really needed: Hadrian's Wall.
- Larry's back pack worked great. We could stow rain gear when not needed.
- Brit Rail worked GREAT! Paid for itself by Inverness, 3rd trip out of eight. Eight trips was just right for four weeks.
- Make B&B reservations ahead for popular places like York, and definitely for weekends.
- Find out when "midterm" is an avoid going then. Kids out of school are crowding trains, hotels and museums. Different districts have different weeks off, not all the same week.
- People appear not to tip bar tenders.
- Rick Steve's Travel Guide was mostly very accurate and dependable. However, his "10 minute walk" in Inverness from the train station didn't mention 75 plus steps.
- The London cards we bought at JJ Jackson were not useful. Would be great if you were going to be in London a month or so.
- Larry's GPS was a great help.
- We didn't get a calling card and did not miss it.
- My wash and wear permed hair was wonderful! No blow drying.
- I wore quick-drying white travel socks under my warm heavy walking socks like "sock liners" so I could wear the same heavy pair several days. Good idea.
- Bring three bras, not two. Six panties about right.
- Fleece jackets layered under GorTex rain jackets worked great.
- Layers were effective. Had silkies long johns that were plenty warm and light.