Well I'm all for a Fodor's shipping forecast secret society.:) And, thank you Patrick for the links.I have seen the cricket rules, but it was in a loo somewhere. My son played cricket when we lived in South Africa, but the only thing I remember is "sticky wicket". Great term and I still use it on occasions

I commiserate with your sleeping problems as I've had problems for years. It has been better since I now catch a non-stop flight leaving at 8:30pm and arriving in London at 12:30pm. Time to get to hotel, settle in and a short afternoon before an early dinner and night. It usually works. Previously I had to connect on east coast with 3/5 hour layover and arrived LHR early morning meaning I had a whole day to get through. Still take my ambien and chamomile tea with valerian.

I have to say I really don't understand someone sleeping until 10/10:30 when on a trip. I'm not an early riser but can't imagine wasting a half day in bed what with all of London beckoning.

I'm still thinking about your tea towel. I'll be in London in about 6 weeks but only have a day and half before I head to Scotland. Greenwich is not on my list this time and one doesn't just run out to the Observatory to get a tea towel. Next time. BTW, I have the John Soane's Museum on my to visit list. All my trips to London and somehow have never been.

I'll add my two cents to those proclaiming that you are being more than fair in compensating/or not the last minute no show.

@historytraveler - you could try buying from this outfit:

http://www.nauticalia.com/uk-info/fu...loth/6144.html

You'd have to wait to find out how much the shipping cost...

I read the previous thread about this trip and am hoping this one will not turn into a bashing session of the other women who traveleed. (And before any one hits the "abuse" triangle, please consider that it is also an abuse of travel forums to use them as a way to run other unsuspecting travelers into the ground).

So far, this thread doesn't seem to be about that, and I am glad the tone has changed.

I think I must be one of the few people following this saga who, after reading the previous thread, wondered if the "absent lady" had gotten a sense she wasn't welcome on this trip, and simply cut her losses. I actually don't think she owed anybody any explanations or advance notice. Apparently, from other information already given in the other thread, many key items were planned for that trip that were withheld from some of the travelers and came as a surprise to them. They were surprised to discover that room choices and restaurant choices desired in advance were not revealed to them in advance (it was around then I stopped reading). So I don't see why this one woman should be judged as behaving worse than others.

I hope this comment does not infuriate other posters on Fodor's and that moderators will not be petitioned to delete it (or if they are, they will realize there is nothing uncivil about what I am saying), but while some Fodor's posters can "never understand" people who sleep until 10.30 on vacation, or who drink water with meals or don't enjoy lots of beer, or who would appreciate being told at breakfast if they are expected to sit down at a big lunch, or who would never pay the mark up in the UK for champagne -- just to note in fairness to these women that many, many, many normal and wonderful American female travelers are just like this and there is really no reason to be scoffing and sneering at them.

But I won't be reading or commenting on any more of this. It has never been clear to me whether the women who are being made fun of are "friends" or whether they gave the OP some form of renumeration for being part of their group. Either way, they deserved to be treated respectfully.

"So far, this thread doesn't seem to be about that, and I am glad the tone has changed."

Well at least it changed til this :(

There goes the neighborhood

"wondered if the "absent lady" had gotten a sense she wasn't welcome on this trip, and simply cut her losses."

Sorry zeppole but you could NOT be more wrong here. I was totally welcoming to D (I never met the woman but talked to her several times on the phone). Every SINGLE interaction was good natured and she giggled about all the fun things we had planned. So get off your high horse.

"apparently, from other information already given in the other thread, many key items were planned for that trip that were withheld from some of the travelers and came as a surprise to them."

And Where the HELL did you get that idea????? Yes I planned everything -- but we were all on the same page and NOTHING was sprung on anyone. The one thing that apparently got in your craw was a particular room at ONE B&B (we stayed in five different properties over the trip and this was ONE room at ONE of them . . . and the situation had changed since we were now 3 instead of 4

I think the TR is now finished . . .

>>I think the TR is now finished . . .

Don't let the spoil sports get their way. Ignore and proceed, please!

>> I actually don't think she owed anybody any explanations or advance notice. <<

Really? One commits to a trip and then drops out on the way to the airport. No obligations? Yikes.

nooooooooo.

zeppole, perhaps you didn't read where janisj was asked to plan the trip. I think these women would have raised incompetence to a new level.


>>>>I actually don't think she owed anybody any explanations or advance notice.

bullpucky. when decisions are made that increase costs for the group (ie. larger car) and you can't tell them prior to when the plane departs, that is unfair.

Please don't let the poster on the high horse keep you from finishing this. Hopefully she does what she said and stays away. As if she knew these women, the details, the planning. What hoo-ha.

sandra, I think it is very clear that this is the OP's perception of her trip. Of course, if her companions wrote their own report, their impressions might be different. I am enjoying janisj's writing style and look forward to reading more. Having organized a fair amount of trips, parties and events, I can relate to many of the challenges she faced and also believe much of the trip was quite enjoyable.

janis, don't let the turkeys get you down. It is exactly what the bully was after. If you don't forge on, she wins.

Please ignore and proceed! We are really enjoying your TR!

I find it interesting that sandralist/zeppole has chosen to post on janisj's trip report when I can't recall her commenting on any other U.K trip reports. In fact, it's difficult to find any of her posts regarding the U.K. Can there possibly be an ulterior motive.? ;)

In regards to my comment about late risers, I still find it unusual and seriously doubt that there are " many, many normal wonderful American female travelers" who would find sleeping through half the day while on a trip normal behavior. Unless you've been out clubbing all night or you are ill, getting up at 10:30 is just plain slothful.

I believe most comments are a show of support for janisj who had at the very least a challenging situation. I have been lucky with my traveling companions but I can empathize with janisj. Zeppole, you make many assumptions but, since you won't be returning to this post, I guess it really doesn't matter.

JanisJ, I applaud your patience with D! Hopefully she had insurance and was able to recoup some loses. Trips almost always have hiccups which sometimes become the most fond memories. As for certain previous commenters, (who's comments are irrelevant anyway, since they are on self-imposed exile), it's no big deal, you made your point, thank you for kindly moving along. :)

Hopefully JanisJ you continue with the trip report. It is well written and interesting!

Please continue your report, I pick up so many gems from them. My brother loved the account of the NFL game at Wembley from you previous trip. I hope one day to see him officiate there.

Already in this report I've learned of the changes to the Soane museum, one of my favorite places in London. May do the Ritz one day but until then I have great memories my tea at Brown's (before the re-design) "with" Virginia Wade

Don't let a bitter, warped interpretation thwart you.

Shipping Forecast-issued 0405 UTC Thursday 12 of June. Cromarty: Wind westerly 3 or 4, occasionally 5 at first. Sea state: Slight. Weather: Rain. Visibility: Moderate or good, occasionally poor.

Another request for the TR to continue. I want more ideas for future trips =D>

Don't let one rude muppet stop you Janis - you haven't got to Yorkshire yet on your report!
I don't think I would be exaggerating to say you are a much loved contributor to these forums, and your trip reports are funny and thoughtful as well as being terrific sources of information to fellow travellers.
Please carry on.

I'll second that

Please don't stop. I would love to hear about your Yorkshire experiences.

Please continue!

Janis: I got bombed on my Florence trip report by the same person, for a comment about Puffa coats!

Come on Lady, we are all looking forward to your next instalment :)

Best regards ... Ger