Homespun Collars
One week to go.
Hotel reservations for every city—to do this weekend.
Packing list—finished, pretty much.
Itinerary—just about settled. Except for last night, when I considered scrapping the Highland part. And this morning, when a glance at the map had me thinking, “Ooh. The Irish Sea. Maybe I should go there, too…”
OK; maybe I’m going to need this last week. Last night, finally, I could feel myself switching into major vacation mode. You know—when your reading material gets down to just guidebooks and little maps, when you start telling people at work, “I may not be here to finish that because I’ll be on vacation,” and when you stop buying groceries because you don’t want your fridge to start growing its own food in your absence.
The friends and family are ready, having doled out helpings of worry and encouragement during my recent visits. (And how smart was I to pack three trips into five weeks? Not very. “Home” is now shorthand for, “That place where I keep my suitcase in the middle of the living room, where I will unpack it before the next trip starts. I promise.” )
Best concern line came from my mom.
Mom: You’re leaving when?
Me: October 31st. I fly out on Halloween.
Mom: Halloween? Do you really think that’s a good idea?
Me: Why? It’s just a day.
Mom: Well, I just—I just wouldn’t fly on Halloween.
I think the Boyo is ready, too. He’s not quite so thrilled about the next week, when I switch my sleep schedule to 7PM-3AM. We’ll work on it. He’s really such a dear; I didn’t answer the phone last night (I was asleep), and he got so worried he came to check on me. So worth adoring, that man. I’m gonna have to find him something nice.
It’s going to be a great trip, even if I decide to redo all my travel plans the moment I hit the hotel. Some things I know I will see: the V&A (finally), the Old Operating Theatre Museum (spooky), and Guy Fawkes Day (historic). I'll even be there on Remembrance Day. At the Cenotaph.
“Homespun collars, homespun hearts
Wear to rags in foreign parts.
Mine's about as good as done
And I must get a London one.”
Indeed.
Ah, you are going to be in London at the same time as me - no wonder you have those great London links.
Posted by: Wendy | Oct 24, 2003 at 07:46 PM
If you want more links, just let me know. Best of luck on your trip!
Posted by: ChgoRed | Oct 27, 2003 at 12:34 PM