I LOVE a bank holiday weekend

[Soph0571]

Friday night. And 3 whole days before stress hits again. Best bit... having a glass of decent red with a Sirloin Roast on Sunday night. The glass of wine can never normally happen on a school night... 3 day weekend for free. Bloody marvellous. Hurrah!!!!

Much needed.

TM gone BJ maybe next? No deal is gonna happen, but hell we have the bank holiday!

[Backseat Driver]

1. Nope, nope, nope

DH started a new job; direct deposit did not get set up in a timely way (how long should that take for Pete's sake), so a regular check sent to be sent by Priority Mail USPS from the West Coast to X late afternoon yesterday. Not here today, probably not tomorrow, Sunday? No mail Monday? So great, most likely Tuesday? Then another day to accept full deposit at the bank. This, late fees on bills, is not the way good business relationships should begin...

[Soph0571]

3. Why are they using cheques?

Bank transfer in 2019?

[csziggy]

2. A question about bank holidays

My husband and I will be arriving at Greenock on Aug.5 which appears to be a bank holiday. What kinds of shops and businesses will be open. We will need cash (Euros or pounds?) - where can we get it, or should I see if I can get some onboard the ship before we get off?

We will have to get from Greenock to a hotel near the Glasgow Airport so that we can pick up our rental car near the airport the next day. If we take a cab, will we need cash for that?

Thanks!

[Soph0571]

4. Banks will be shut

As will normal business. Shops and restaurants will be open. You will not be able to exchange money but you should be able to use your bank card at an ATM, however fees...

Most cabs will allow you to pay by card, but I would hold cash just in case.

Make sure Scotland in August you protect yourself against the midgies

[csziggy]

5. Thank you - this is our first trip to the UK

And our first real trip outside the US. We went to Cozumel last October, but stayed within the cruise ship commercial area for the few hours we were there.

In addition, neither of us is used to cities. We live outside Tallahassee, Florida, but basically always use private transportation.

Thanks for the warning about the midges! Most of our plans involve outside activities - birdwatching, hiking, and visiting archeological sites. Here in Florida we'd be loading up on stuff to keep off the mosquitoes and ticks. I guess Scotland is not that different, just different annoyances.

[Soph0571]

6. Are you making it to London?

If so let me know we would love to show you around.

There are some great sites to visit in Scotland. Make sure you take lots of pictures and post them in photography. Gotta love an ancient site

[csziggy]

7. Yes! We will be in London in September

Our itinerary includes driving around Northern Scotland, a short visit to the Orkneys, down to the Lake District, across to Yorkshire, down the East Coast, probably into the Southeast Coast (still have to work out that area).

September 9 we start a needlework tour that the Embroiderer's Guild of America is sponsoring. Three days of classes with Helen Stevens, a week of visiting places in Norwich then on to London where the tour ends on Sept. 19. My husband and I will stay in London until the 26 so we can visit various museums.

Then we rent another car (we'll turn in the first one at the start of the tour), drive around Wales, down to Cornwall all the way to Land's End, east to Southampton where we get on another ship to come back to the US via the Caribbean.

We're considering this our "trip of a lifetime" and at our age we may not make it back to the UK again, especially since I don't want to fly again - too much crowding and the security is oppressive, especially considering how many body parts I have had replaced (I set off their alarms every time). It's cheaper to take an 18 day voyage on the Queen Elizabeth than to fly first or business class - and much better for our health.

I'll try to remember to PM you when we get close to London - if I get time to get on a computer, that is.

Oh - photos - we will take two, or maybe four cameras (our two new Nikons and maybe the Fujifilm cameras that take pretty good pics and are lighter weight). I'm not sure if I will get them onto DU but I will be keeping up my blog and posting pics there. I will add my blog URL to my sig line so people can follow my trip.

[LeftishBrit]

8. If you make it to Oxford, please let me know!

[csziggy]

10. Oxford is our first stop on the way out of London

Though we may stop at a RSPB reserve before getting into the city. We'll probably stop for lunch there - perfect time for a meetup!

[Soph0571]

9. That sounds amazing.

If you remember PM and we will try and meet up!