2 Groups/2 Airports/2 Many Hours..-- The Follow Up
 

About 3 weeks ago, I posted on this board for advice on the logistics of getting my Mom in one piece, from Gatwick Airport to our hotel (as we were flying into Heathrow later the same day).

Many of you were kind enough to offer advice, so I felt it only right to let you know what happened on our trip!

I won't rehash that thread, but suffice to say that I was worried about my Mom flying by herself to a "foreign" country, landing at a different airport, and finding our hotel all on her own. Many of you gave some great advice on what to do, but basically the two choices were: 1) the Gatwick Express/taxi, or 2) chaffeured car services (the Roy Skinner service).

After laying out the pros and cons for my Mom via lots of telephone calls and computer chats, she decided that she would bite the bullet and try the train/taxi combo ("Well I'm 60 years old now...I guess I should be able to take care of myself, right?")

I emailed her the website for the Gatwick Express to familiarize her with the process, and warned her NOT to take the Tube from Victoria to the Paddington area (like her travel agent advised her to do!!!!!)

Upon arrival at LGW from Cincinnati, she basically "depended on the kindness of strangers", and requested a wheelchair to take her where she was supposed to go. Apparently the attendant escorted her not only thru Immigration/Customs, but also to the Gatwick train station (of course she tipped him extremely well)!

After getting on the train, she chatted up a conductor who took it upon himself to carry her luggage from the train at Victoria to the taxi ranks out front, to make sure she got in the proper black taxi. At that point, it was a straight shot to the BW Paddington Court Hotel, no problems whatsoever!

As a matter of fact, when we arrived some 6 hours later, she was sitting in the waiting lounge at the hotel, having already checked in for all of us. She gleefully pointed out each staff person at the reception desk, and told us what country each person was from, and how long they had been in the UK (!). Plus, she had already scoped out the neighborhood and eaten at an Italian restaurant down the street!!!!

And this from the lady who won't leave her room by herself in Las Vegas -- what a hoot!

I am so grateful to all of you for helping us decide on the safest option. Our trip was so nice, and she had such a marvelous time.

Thank you for the update ! I often wonder what people do after getting advice and what decisions they make. I remember this thread. Glad you had a good time and it started off on such a good note !

So glad to hear all worked out so well. Your mom must be a very friendly sort - to get all that help, and getting to know everyone at the hotel.

Looking forward to a trip report :)

Thanks for the update.

And, 60 ain't old, or incapable, or infirm, or anything "their children might think." These days, there are more 50s-70s than you'd know and they do lots of things a whole lot better than their children, could even think they could.

However, your consideration to be sure she could get where she had to get was most thoughtful, but Mom had it "together" all by herself. You go Mom!

Thanks for the follow-up. I did wonder what the final process would be. You mon must have had a great time on the trip. She certainly started off in great style.

Glad your Mom broke out of her shell, maybe a whole new world will open up for her, good for you for setting the stage for her to gain independence.

Looking forward to the report.

Thank you, NurseSkip, I've never read a posting that I enjoyed more. Sounds like she did even better than I anticipated she would.

"The majority of her fellow travellers will be taking the Express to Victoria and she will have ample time before boarding the transatlantic flight to meet someone who will be glad to shepherd her to the train. The taxi rank at Victoria is well marked and will not present a problem when she gets to Victoria. She could be at the hotel before 10:30, left her bags there and enjoying the Italian Garden at Lancaster Gate while you are still west of Ireland."

Hope she spent the money she saved on something special for herself.

Hi NS,

How nice to hear that sometimes things go better than expected.

Oops! Sorry for the double post! I must have hit Post when I intended to hit Edit.

So glad to hear it all went well. Hope you will share some trip highlights with us.

Hmmm, this reminds me of an elderly lady I met several years ago in Europe who was traveling alone (much older than the 60+ of NurseSkip's mom) and she told me is she ever was unsure of how to get somewhere, she just went up to the nearest person and put on her 'little old lady' act and always got immediate, helpful results.

HI,

I am so glad that Mom got to the hotel by taking a chance. What a nice story. Hopefully that will be me in the future.