Monday, September 10, 2018

Apprehensions!

Greetings loved ones :) This may be my last post before heading to Scotland on Wednesday! I've repacked 3 or 4 times already and still things cross my mind as to what to smush into my suitcase/backpack/purse. Each time I repack I take things OUT trying to lighten the load. My suitcase is divided into two sections and thanks to the vacuum bags my clothes fit quite well. The other side of the suitcase is for toiletries, adaptors, socks, undies, hiking boots, extras (extra kleenex, extra bandaids etc) and quite a pile of snacks. The good thing about taking along a lot of trail mix and other assorted protein bars etc is I may not need to buy lunch saving me some money AND when eaten room is created in my suitcase for gifts and souvenirs! There's a method to my eating!

My back pack contains rain gear, hat, gloves, first aid kit, water bottles, maps and printouts of directions to all the places we want to go, a spork, rainproof backpack cover, backup pair of glasses and my small bag of gels/liquids - under 100ml of course. At our first Airbnb I will need to rejig a few things from backpack to suitcase and vice versa as some things - like insect spray - can't be in carryon luggage (my backpack) but have to be in my checked suitcase.
My purse is a small pack and holds my iPad, wallet, journal, pills, Nighty Night teabag as we are taking the aptly named red-eye... arriving in Glasgow at 9:45am.

Then we will be going via train to get our rental car in Stirling so that will lighten the load as well as I can keep my snacks in the car instead of my suitcase as well as a number of other things.

My apprehensions? Well, the obvious one is the weather which can change a dozen times a day. The joke is you can experience all 4 seasons in one day! I have good rain gear and water-proof hiking boots and at least this time around we can retreat to the car if need be. I remember one time in Ireland(?) or was it  northern England (?) when Annie and I ate our soggy sandwiches while sitting on a piece of farm machinery in a steady rain.

All you can do about the weather is be VERY prepared and GRIN AND BEAR IT:)

My other apprehension is driving in the UK. My brother doesn't have a license so I will be doing all of the driving. Yesterday I learned all about driving on a single lane road and the etiquette of "passing places". Youtube is an amazing resource!!

Today I am learning about: Roundabouts! 


Hey...this isn't so bad...HAH!
                               

Whoa!!!

I just found...a 6 page printout- that shows, with diagrams, every possible scenario of driving through a roundabout - yes...on youtube! I'm all set!

We'll be back Oct. 4th and hopefully the house will still be standing! If we can find wifi that works I'll post on Facebook!

11 comments:

  1. Have a great time! and I think you're brave for driving on the wrong side of the road. LOl Roundabout's are fun...

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  2. It's finally here!!!! YAY!!!!
    I have a cousin who is spending several weeks in Scotland right now. Let me know if you see her! Not that you will... She's traveling the world discovering each country, one by one.

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  3. I can't believe they don't have roundabouts in Canada!

    Have a great trip and here's to no soggy sandwiches eaten on farm machinery this go round.
    About the space bags.....once you open then, how are you going to get them vacuum sealed and small again for the trip home? lol

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  4. Thanks Rachel!
    Sam - I don't mind our roundabouts but the ones in the UK are much more complicated. I think I've got it figured out.
    McVal - I'll keep a lookout for your cousin!! :)
    Sluggy - we do have roundabouts but they are very simple. Space bags can be opened and resealed many times - I've repacked three times so far!

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  5. You are so adventurous! Driving on the other side of the road (or correct side if in their country) scares the crap out of me! Have a fabulous time, I know you will make the best of it no matter what

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  6. I hope you have the most wonderful time. Can’t wait to hear about it Wishing you fun and fair weather

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  7. I'm so excited for you. DH still has nightmares about driving in Europe but you'll do great.

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  8. RE:Space Bags. No I know you can reuse them, I meant will you have access to a vaccuum cleaner or such to reseal them while in Scotland?

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  9. I'm English and learned to drive in England of course but I am so much more used to driving on the right than the left. You're ok on roundabouts or junctions if you have someone in front of you but I remember pulling out of a driveway once belting down the road (there was no-one in front of us) and screaming at my husband that he was on the wrong side of the road! Thank God there was no-one coming. And sandwiches in the rain - you'll get used to it! It's a national sport! Have a wonderful time.

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  10. Ireland! Yes, first day out of Oughterard...drenched, wet, sore, wet...

    Roundabouts are funny things - left side for first/second exits (remember to indicate your intent unless going straight ahead (2nd exit). Right hand land for third/fourth exits (indicate in, and out again). Also, pay attention to road markings as you approach, if there are any. Sometimes you can go around and around if you get stuck, and sometimes you can't. They're a bit tricky and I still get apprehensive around them. The ones with lights are marginally better, because they at least indicate when you can go ahead. Otherwise, just wait 'patiently' for space to enter.

    Good luck and have lots of fun! No hurting of toes this time, okay? xx

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