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Just to let you know that the weather is mild but wet. Typical British weather really... so pack accordingly. Tem days ago it was 70 degrees and T shirt weather, eight days ago it was snowing and it's been changeable ever since but generally mild and wet. Hope that helps.
I figure that I'll pack like I'm going to a colder version of Louisiana. Our temps have been all over the place lately, but that's not unusual here. My main problem is that I'll have been down in Mexico the week before. Talk about weather shock. I've already gone to my allergist who gave me a pre-emptive strike bottle of anti-biotics.
Laura
I am not sure if I mentioned it earlier but A1 GP is running at Brands Hatch in a couple of weeks. If you're in the area you should head on down and support A1 Team USA. This is the fourth season of A1 GP and there seems to be a real buzz about it this time around. I keep hearing on the radio about an event that they're holding on Regent Street in the run up to the race... might be worth looking into?
I've thought about it, but Team USA has been really sucking and I'm not sure I could deal with the disapointment. I'll have to think about it.
Hey - does anyone know of a good way to try and catch a soccer/football match? That's definitely something you don't see much of in Louisiana.
Laura
It's years since I've been to a football match - the last one was York City vs Leyton Orient back when the guy I was working for owned York. They were absolutely awful and I'd definately avoid them!! I'd suggest Arsenal and Chelsea as good places to try and get tickets for whilst in London as they're easy to get to, generally family friendly (avoid places like Millwall for sure) and have excellent stadiums. I'd particularly like to check out Arsenal's new ground myself. The problem you would have is that it's pretty much the end of the season and I'm sure you'd never get tickets for their games (hard enough during the middle of winter!) Remind me hre else you are going on this trip? It may make more sense to try and get tickets outside of the capital.
The alternative, of course, is to see about going to the FA Cup Final at Wembley - but I'm not sure when you leave the UK? Shame you'll not be here on the 28th!
Team USA suck? I was under the impression they won the last round... ;)
I admit I haven't checked out the US team in a while. They kept coming in last or running over people. It was just plain embarrasing. I'm all for rooting for the underdog, but even I have standards. I'll have to check them out again.
Oh man. I wish I was going to be there on Monday. But alas I won't be. I leave the UK on Saturday the 10th, but I'll be back in London on Thursday to see a musical. Thanks for the tips on who to check out. I know absolutely nothing about football (American or European).
Laura
Any last minute advice we can offer? I bet you're excited now!
Looks like the weather isn't gonna play ball tho. It's gonna be 20 on Saturday dropping to 12 on Tuesday with heavy rain. Bah!
Noticed That. Blech!
I'm heading out tomorrow to find a new "dressy" dress for the Broadway Musical. I got attacked by a 16 foot tree at a gig today - took two men (one an Air Force guy) to take it off of me. It landed across my back and really hit my bad shoulder and ... tore a big hole in the dress I had planned on taking to England. Can you say - ouch!
Big thing I'm looking at is getting a train pass. I guess I'll get one once I'm over there. It looks like I can get a Britrail Pass for 375 for 8 days. Not terribly bad, but since I'm me and don't have a set itenerary I'll just have to wait and see.
I got some travelers checks today and in general I'm more scared of my credit cards being declined and/or getting turned away at customs. I've only been through customs in Costa Rica before and (at least at the time) American money and people were awesome there. So we weren't exactly questioned a lot.
And yes - I'm excited and scared. But the pain meds for the tree attack are stemming some of that. :)
Thanks,
Laura
Be sure to call your credit card companies before you leave and tell them that you will be traveling abroad. Otherwise charges suddenly showing up from England will look suspicious and may very well get declined. I had to learn this the hard way.
AZBuck
Customs and immigration will be a breese coming into the UK - it's getting back into the US you should worry about :p Over here it's generally a quick painless process with very few questions asked. If you feel worried then bring evidence of your reason to return home - proof of emplyment, proof of family, proof of a home, etc. and they'll wave you straight through with a smile. Actually, no, you can probably forget the smile ;)
Never had a problem with credit card companies myself but I think I'll play safe and callmine in advance of my own upcoming trip. Just to be safe!
Trains here can be horribly expensive for £375 for 8 days sounds a lot. I'd look at off peak saver type fares and/or National Express bus routes before parting with that amount of money. It could work out a lot cheaper depending on where/when you're planning on travelling.
$375 - yeah that would really be bad if that was pounds.
I've already called my credit card companies - so all is taken care of there. I actually did that a couple of days ago - I'm just paranoid that way.
It's actually starting to hit home. Most everything is packed (very unusual for me) and it's just down to the last minute things that I'll need.
Woohoo!
Laura