Wilson European Vacation - 23 May to 9 July 2011

[cove]

Have a great trip Lindsay.
When something is expensive don't bother converting the cost or work out how much you saved with the runaway $AUD.
We have travelled with our kids now for 25 years so don't ever think it is a one off!

 

[anat0l]

I'd assume your kids would survive. They're not old enough to know better

As for the marriage - well, the vacation was started around a good event, that's one. Apart from that, unless it's a really, really dumb decision, agree with your wife when there's a problem. It's not worth having an argument that could split things whilst overseas. You just don't have the support and infrastructure to have those kinds of problems.

After your long flying leg over to the other side of the world, I hope you'll build in enough time to relax and catch up on sleep that you didn't get. Yes, that is a potential problem even if you fly premium (let alone if you don't!). Lucky for you you're at the Hilton Paddington IIRC, which looks like a nice property and an easy walk up a couple of escalators when you arrive at Paddington station off the HEX.

Make copies of your key ID documents and give them to trusted people who will store them securely.

Make sure you have a known way to contact people at home if you really need to. Roaming, have credit available, change numbers in your phone book to international version (e.g. instead of 0421 111 111, change to +61 421 111 111).

Wireless internet won't mostly be free in the chain hotels, except e.g. Hilton properties w. HHG = free access. Airport lounges of course are free (with some exceptions). Seeing as you won't have a computer with you, you'll probably need to search out an internet cafe so that you can pay bills etc., unless you're savvy with using the net on your iPhone (viz. small screen, little computing power). Problem with using internet cafe for paying bills is potential security concerns (I always try and delete all browsing data after finishing...)

Call credit card companies and tell them that you're going overseas. They'll ask you where are you going and when. Tell them that you expect to use your credit card a fair bit. Useful so that they don't auto-block your card whilst on the road.

Agree on how all your passports will be kept and stick to the system. Keep checking where your passports are at all times. There may be Australian consulates everywhere, but you really do not want to lose your passport. No jokes here.

Whilst we're talking about where things are kept, watch out for pickpockets. It's prime season for them in Europe. I don't put anything in my back pockets. Mrs Wilson should keep an eye on her handbag at all times. If you're wearing a backpack, try and take them off when you're standing still for a long time, e.g. public transport. If you have a collision with someone (even just a brush), stop and check everything's still there.

Get maps - really important. Either from a local tourist centre, or print them in advance (latter is a tough one). Whilst it is an experience in itself and you're not moving super fast all the time, getting lost simply wastes time. A good map is invaluable. (Good navigation skills are the next thing you need, especially with foreign street names). Probably worth marking straight away on a map where the attractions and hotel are.


Apart from that - you'll be fine. After long away, you might be homesick, but with enough things to do and see every day that'll keep you going. Take lots of photos (or as much as your memory cards can handle, or see if you can upload photos so you can erase your memory card and keep going).

 

[Nigelinoz]

Enjoy your trip Mr Wilson ,stay safe and don't forget to take lots of photos for use in your trip report when you return.
Take Care.
N'oz

 

[ozmille]

Enjoy the trip, believe me it will go quick (and as anat0l said... the Mrs. is always right, definitely at the other end of the world )

We'll keep an eye out for the family of 4 when we are in LHR on the 5th!

 

[ellen10]

Great advice from anat0l.

You have done all the hard planning now enjoy the trip. Just remember there will be small hiccups along the way, but they add to the story telling when you return.

A quote I like from Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Have a great trip!!

 

[QF WP]

Have a great trip Lindsay.
When something is expensive don't bother converting the cost or work out how much you saved with the runaway $AUD.
We have travelled with our kids now for 25 years so don't ever think it is a one off!

Thanks cove, not worried about the strength of the $, first time I haven't been concerned

Definitely not a once off, have a trip to USA to start organising after our return from this one


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[anat0l]

Oh and just to acclimatise you a bit....

Full English Breakfast (that's eggs, bacon, sausage (usually), baked beans, mushrooms or black pudding, toast and tomato) with a pot of tea or a coffee can be flogged for ₤5 - ₤6. Pubs should be able to do this.

EAT has stores all over the place in London (including in Paddington Station; 1 floor up from the entrance to the Hilton Paddington) and they can make some mean tasting sandwiches which you can pick up for at most ₤3 (I think dining in attracts VAT). Useful for your first day if you're going to end up being too lazy to venture out for food. (The minimum difference in sandwiches from EAT compared to at home is that they actually taste good).

If you're travelling on the tube in London on weekends, check for tube works. They can really mess your plans up if you don't look ahead.


In general, food will be fairly good priced in England and a bit higher in the rest of Europe. France can be a notable stick out - Mrs's skills in negotiating the menu will be invaluable. Switzerland and Germany can be high priced, which is the norm everywhere in those countries.

 

[straitman]

T minus 41 hours and counting.

Work is finished (spent until 4.15am this morning there, finalising everything). All bills are paid and all we need is internet access to pay them when we are in Europe. We have sufficient starter cash (GBP200 and EUR300) and my wife has a UK bank account an access card. Dropping funds in there tomorrow.

Now it's the final checks and packing tomorrow. This should be fun

It's actually a little daunting. I've never spent that long away from Australia and my family before. Will our marriage survive? Will the kids survive?

.... and will you survive :?:

Best wishes for a really great trip and we all hope Vicky has a really great birthday.

 

[QF WP]

I'd assume your kids would survive. They're not old enough to know better

As for the marriage - well, the vacation was started around a good event, that's one. Apart from that, unless it's a really, really dumb decision, agree with your wife when there's a problem. It's not worth having an argument that could split things whilst overseas. You just don't have the support and infrastructure to have those kinds of problems.

As you aluded, a happy wife is a happy life. It's her trip and she's only booked 2 things and organised passports for the kids. I've done everything else (once she let go and allowed me to take over). She's happy I have all of you to bounce ideas off.

After your long flying leg over to the other side of the world, I hope you'll build in enough time to relax and catch up on sleep that you didn't get. Yes, that is a potential problem even if you fly premium (let alone if you don't!). Lucky for you you're at the Hilton Paddington IIRC, which looks like a nice property and an easy walk up a couple of escalators when you arrive at Paddington station off the HEX.

Alas, couldn't get in on points when we were booking, so it's HI Mayfair. We'll arrive around 6pm+ Tuesday, so Wed is get over jetlag day - perhaps only a walk in Green Park and to Buckingham Palace

Make copies of your key ID documents and give them to trusted people who will store them securely.

copies made and being given to all parents today

Make sure you have a known way to contact people at home if you really need to. Roaming, have credit available, change numbers in your phone book to international version (e.g. instead of 0421 111 111, change to +61 421 111 111).

Have an ekit SIM, with UK number that we'll be using

Wireless internet won't mostly be free in the chain hotels, except e.g. Hilton properties w. HHG = free access. Airport lounges of course are free (with some exceptions). Seeing as you won't have a computer with you, you'll probably need to search out an internet cafe so that you can pay bills etc., unless you're savvy with using the net on your iPhone (viz. small screen, little computing power). Problem with using internet cafe for paying bills is potential security concerns (I always try and delete all browsing data after finishing...)

May need to pay some, otherwise my brother is my PoA. Not keen on doing at other than Hilton Exec Floor computers. Won't be doing at Internet cafes

Call credit card companies and tell them that you're going overseas. They'll ask you where are you going and when. Tell them that you expect to use your credit card a fair bit. Useful so that they don't auto-block your card whilst on the road.

Done and changed to PIN rather than sign, so perhaps a little more secure.

Agree on how all your passports will be kept and stick to the system. Keep checking where your passports are at all times. There may be Australian consulates everywhere, but you really do not want to lose your passport. No jokes here.

Whilst we're talking about where things are kept, watch out for pickpockets. It's prime season for them in Europe. I don't put anything in my back pockets. Mrs Wilson should keep an eye on her handbag at all times. If you're wearing a backpack, try and take them off when you're standing still for a long time, e.g. public transport. If you have a collision with someone (even just a brush), stop and check everything's still there.

Wise words and will heed that advice. We have 8 passports so will keep Aussie ones separate from UK/Irish ones. Wife has a Hedgren Urban Bags slash-proof shoulder bag, so can't get to them

Get maps - really important. Either from a local tourist centre, or print them in advance (latter is a tough one). Whilst it is an experience in itself and you're not moving super fast all the time, getting lost simply wastes time. A good map is invaluable. (Good navigation skills are the next thing you need, especially with foreign street names). Probably worth marking straight away on a map where the attractions and hotel are.

that's what Concierge's are for, aren't they

Apart from that - you'll be fine. After long away, you might be homesick, but with enough things to do and see every day that'll keep you going. Take lots of photos (or as much as your memory cards can handle, or see if you can upload photos so you can erase your memory card and keep going).

Vicky will get homesick and she's the photographer on the trip


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Nigelinoz]

Full English Breakfast (that's eggs, bacon, sausage (usually), baked beans, mushrooms or black pudding, toast and tomato) with a pot of tea or a coffee can be flogged for ₤5 - ₤6. Pubs should be able to do this.

Agree there,just do have it in a Greene King or J.D.Wetherspoon pub,I've worked as head chef in both types of establishment and I can't recommend the food ,fine for a cold beer and a sandwich but the hot food leaves much to be desired.(Or did when I was there in 2007-08).
Cheers
N'oz

 

[QF WP]

You have done all the hard planning now enjoy the trip. Just remember there will be small hiccups along the way, but they add to the story telling when you return.

A quote I like from Mark Twain, “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Have a great trip!!

Loved your response ellen10, Had my wife read it as she is already stressing and worried about being homesick. Hope it helps her. Totally agree with the Mark Twain quote - something that I took to heart after my cancer scare 10 years ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[cove]

We get to London on 30th so it is a full on Aussie attack in May.

 

[QF WP]

Damn, we are still up in the Wiltshire countryside and drive back to LHR for a stay in CP LHR, thus meeting my CtC requirements.

OMG, it's Day 1...I can't believe it's finally here. All this time in planning it and dreaming about it. I was that excited I only got to bed at 1am and almost wet the bed with excitement this morning when I woke up. Even MrsLW was excited this morning.

Packing went so well that I think we won't even get pinged for excess luggage by BA

Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[anat0l]

Have Fun

Have fun Wilson family - hope all goes well for the trip, as well as Mrs Wilson's birthday.

The longest journeys are coming up (i.e. the way over there), so hopefully you're all ready to fly quite a bit in a pressurised metal tube. Doing it near the pointy end should help things considerably.


I really wish we could've crossed paths overseas, if only for a moment. But, it will not come to pass.


BTW - try to make sure to remember you log your steps our team depends on it.