Italian Opera-Edinburgh Tattoo-"Great" Houses-Cornwall: Ongoing and FINAL
Aug 1st, 2017, 09:12 AM
#21
Original Poster
OK thanks to ALL of you and your support I will update this now. We are definitely checking two bags and we just have to decide on a few more clothing items.
Have reviewed all my reservation documents, plane reservations, train tickets, both Auto Europe vouchers, opera and theatre tix; GPS is packed, med and all the other essentials.
Yesterday I REALLY cleaned the house and that made me feel good. Am at the dentist waiting for Husbear's teeth to be cleaned.
Will check in for flight on line this evening...All the usual "stuff" you have to to get out of town.
What am I forgetting? I am NEVER this organized.
Have reviewed all my reservation documents, plane reservations, train tickets, both Auto Europe vouchers, opera and theatre tix; GPS is packed, med and all the other essentials.
Yesterday I REALLY cleaned the house and that made me feel good. Am at the dentist waiting for Husbear's teeth to be cleaned.
Will check in for flight on line this evening...All the usual "stuff" you have to to get out of town.
What am I forgetting? I am NEVER this organized.
Aug 1st, 2017, 11:29 AM
#23
"Yesterday I REALLY cleaned the house and that made me feel good."
In the interests of making you feel even better, I'm willing to offer my house for cleaning. Of course, it's in the opposite direction to your planned travel, but just say the word!
In the interests of making you feel even better, I'm willing to offer my house for cleaning. Of course, it's in the opposite direction to your planned travel, but just say the word!
Aug 1st, 2017, 11:36 AM
#24
Original Poster
LOL, Barbara. A few years ago when we were living in the huge house we had a wonderful cleaning person. She insisted that she needed to come twice weekly since the place was too big for her to do in one day.
This person was originally from Bolivia and she had been some sort of licensed professional in that country who could not get a license to do what she had been trained to do once in the US.
In retrospect I hope she wasn't an illegal; her husband had a full-time job of his own.
Anyway, when I retired from Active Duty I decided I really needed to do the cleaning; it would occupy some time and I knew better than anyone <B>where all the dirt was</B>.
We gave the woman 3 months' notice and when she left gave her 6 months worth of wages as a parting gesture and I started cleaning. Still doing it and I even do windows! All that salty sticky stuff from the ocean is a real pain.
This person was originally from Bolivia and she had been some sort of licensed professional in that country who could not get a license to do what she had been trained to do once in the US.
In retrospect I hope she wasn't an illegal; her husband had a full-time job of his own.
Anyway, when I retired from Active Duty I decided I really needed to do the cleaning; it would occupy some time and I knew better than anyone <B>where all the dirt was</B>.
We gave the woman 3 months' notice and when she left gave her 6 months worth of wages as a parting gesture and I started cleaning. Still doing it and I even do windows! All that salty sticky stuff from the ocean is a real pain.
Aug 2nd, 2017, 12:29 AM
#26
Original Poster
We have learned to ignore the stuff on the windows until the view gets "hazey" or I start feeling guilty and go outwith the squeegee and hose.
Today has finally arrive after months of anticipation. Lots of rain down in Miami yesterday (less up here) and the street flooding that has become more common in part of that city. A few folks resorted to kayaks.
Anticipating a flight take-off delay caused bu Summer storms; according to Flight Aware yesterday's flight was delayed. I purposely built in about three hours for the transfer from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Terminal 5. Planning probably not to use one of the Arrivals Lounges for any sort of shower, etc.
This is why we have decided to stop for the night after our arrival in Zurich rather than taking the train onward to Bologna until Friday morning.
Am off to the gym for a quick "lose more weight" workout and then dropping little doggie off at the sitter's house around 10 AM. Car service picking us up at Noon.
Today has finally arrive after months of anticipation. Lots of rain down in Miami yesterday (less up here) and the street flooding that has become more common in part of that city. A few folks resorted to kayaks.
Anticipating a flight take-off delay caused bu Summer storms; according to Flight Aware yesterday's flight was delayed. I purposely built in about three hours for the transfer from Heathrow Terminal 3 to Terminal 5. Planning probably not to use one of the Arrivals Lounges for any sort of shower, etc.
This is why we have decided to stop for the night after our arrival in Zurich rather than taking the train onward to Bologna until Friday morning.
Am off to the gym for a quick "lose more weight" workout and then dropping little doggie off at the sitter's house around 10 AM. Car service picking us up at Noon.
Aug 2nd, 2017, 08:31 AM
#30
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I only just saw this thread today but am looking forward to more of your report, Dukey. I enjoy all your reports and seriously look at the hotels you recommend... plus, one day, I am determined that we will catch an opera in Verona and Venice.
Happy and safe travels to you and your husbear! Please check in often.
Happy and safe travels to you and your husbear! Please check in often.
Aug 2nd, 2017, 09:06 AM
#33
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This is already very interesting even though you're just now leaving, hope all goes well in Miami and with the various transfers. We fly out of there in October on Virgin, would appreciate any tips or observations. Car services are really expensive from Vero, we're renting cars to go down and back, gone four weeks.
Very excited for you about the Verona opera, a highlight of my travels. Looking forward to your report from Verona and critiques of the performances, it's been about 12 years now since I've been.
So, please keep on posting!
Very excited for you about the Verona opera, a highlight of my travels. Looking forward to your report from Verona and critiques of the performances, it's been about 12 years now since I've been.
So, please keep on posting!
Aug 2nd, 2017, 09:18 AM
#34
Original Poster
Thank you, <B>thank you</B> for all the kind wishes. The trip is now officially underway.
Our car service ride arrived only a few minutes late due to local traffic. Even though we are now in the so-called "off season" down here I can tell you we have plenty of "traffic" even now. And I thought it was only in "big city areas" like Washington, DC.
I-95 down here is just as crowded as it was "up there" although we managed to make it to the Miami airport in less than an hour using the Express Lanes and doing what a lot of South Florida drivers do: <B>speeding</B>.
The Miami airport is a major American Airlines hub particularly for flights to Central and South America as well as the various island and today was no exception: very busy. It is even worse on weekends when cruise ships come and go.
Since we arrived waaaay early the British Airways check in was practically deserted so we didn't have to wait in line. However, the boarding pass machines were acting up so getting that part completed took a little time.
British doesn't participate in TSA pre-check so it was off with the shoes, laptop out, etc., but that line moved pretty fast as well.
We are sitting in an airline lounge in Terminal E, having more than a couple of free drinks we poured ourselves and looking out at the wonderful cloud formations: those huge things that often indicate thunderstorms later. We have great skyscapes down here since the only "hills" consist of overpasses and landfills therefore nothing much blocks one's view.
Food in here is filling; the booze is better. The inbound aircraft has yet to arrive and last year we took this same flight and boarding was a combination of goat rope and "foreign people" firedrill.
But I'm happy; little doggie leapt into pat sitter's arms when I dropped him off and he didn't even look back!!
More later and best wishes to all of you.
Our car service ride arrived only a few minutes late due to local traffic. Even though we are now in the so-called "off season" down here I can tell you we have plenty of "traffic" even now. And I thought it was only in "big city areas" like Washington, DC.
I-95 down here is just as crowded as it was "up there" although we managed to make it to the Miami airport in less than an hour using the Express Lanes and doing what a lot of South Florida drivers do: <B>speeding</B>.
The Miami airport is a major American Airlines hub particularly for flights to Central and South America as well as the various island and today was no exception: very busy. It is even worse on weekends when cruise ships come and go.
Since we arrived waaaay early the British Airways check in was practically deserted so we didn't have to wait in line. However, the boarding pass machines were acting up so getting that part completed took a little time.
British doesn't participate in TSA pre-check so it was off with the shoes, laptop out, etc., but that line moved pretty fast as well.
We are sitting in an airline lounge in Terminal E, having more than a couple of free drinks we poured ourselves and looking out at the wonderful cloud formations: those huge things that often indicate thunderstorms later. We have great skyscapes down here since the only "hills" consist of overpasses and landfills therefore nothing much blocks one's view.
Food in here is filling; the booze is better. The inbound aircraft has yet to arrive and last year we took this same flight and boarding was a combination of goat rope and "foreign people" firedrill.
But I'm happy; little doggie leapt into pat sitter's arms when I dropped him off and he didn't even look back!!
More later and best wishes to all of you.
Aug 2nd, 2017, 09:35 AM
#35
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I'm glad to hear little doggie is happy... our smoosh-faced brigade loves going to camp, too!
Are you in the BA First lounge? I want to hear all about it. Do they serve LPGS champagne and bacon rolls?
Are you in the BA First lounge? I want to hear all about it. Do they serve LPGS champagne and bacon rolls?
Aug 2nd, 2017, 09:57 AM
#36
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We were in Edinburgh for the Fringe last year and loved it! We saw four shows (two ticketed, two walk-in) and three of the four were fantastic. And the city was just abuzz with excitement! You're going to love it! It rained a lot when we were there but so what -- that's never stopped us from doing anything.
We were actually there because my SO was speaking at a conference and I remember several people just being aghast that someone would plan a conference during Fringe week! Well, why not? We had a place to stay, transportation was great and once the paper was given, we had lots of time to explore the city and the festival.
If you get a moment and want a somewhat quieter environment for a few hours, there's a beautiful museum of modern art.
I'll be keeping up with your report. I'm very envious of the opera in Verona. That's something I've always wanted to do. We're going to be in northern Italy this fall and with my usual good timing (not), we'll be there the week after the opera season.
If you have your laptop with you and can see movies on it, look for a doc called The Magic Arena which is about the making of a production of Aida in Verona. If you can watch it on the flight over, it will be a good time-passer!
We were actually there because my SO was speaking at a conference and I remember several people just being aghast that someone would plan a conference during Fringe week! Well, why not? We had a place to stay, transportation was great and once the paper was given, we had lots of time to explore the city and the festival.
If you get a moment and want a somewhat quieter environment for a few hours, there's a beautiful museum of modern art.
I'll be keeping up with your report. I'm very envious of the opera in Verona. That's something I've always wanted to do. We're going to be in northern Italy this fall and with my usual good timing (not), we'll be there the week after the opera season.
If you have your laptop with you and can see movies on it, look for a doc called The Magic Arena which is about the making of a production of Aida in Verona. If you can watch it on the flight over, it will be a good time-passer!
Aug 2nd, 2017, 10:36 PM
#40
Original Poster
Writing this from the British Airways lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5.
To answer, kinda, the question about the lounge at Miami above: no, we were in the so-called "Premium Lounge" above the shuttle departures area on Concourse E. It is basically run by American and used by British, Iberia, and other OneWorld carriers. I stuck to my usual Goose and 7's...several to be honest, so cannot comment on bubbly brands/grades.
The flight: not quite as "mobby" as when we took the same flight over last year. In fact, boarding was a lot more organized this time around. Aircraft was a BA so-called "legacy" (weasel word for OLD) 747-400 which BA is apparently beginning to withdraw from service.
We sprang for First Class seats this time around. Yeah, they escort you from the jetway to your seat and since there were only 7 passengers in a cabin normally seating 14 the service was even more attentive than would be expected.
In flight entertainment system had to be re-booted several times before it would work correctly. I wasn't all that impressed with the overall selections but they do help pass the time. Food decent; flat bed seat and for whatever reason I did not get one minute of sleep; I knew I should have popped a couple of Melatonins which always work well for me but I neglected to bring any (duh).
Flight fairly smooth. If there is ever ANY turbulence my mind immediately envisions mid-air collisions; falling 36,000 feet; being a victim of a terrorist explosion, etc., etc., and we did have short periods of same.
Heathrow, what can I say? You walk, and walk, and waaaaalk through Terminal 3 to the bus connection; the security at 5 was VERY fast this morning. This lounge has a great view over the (current) take-off runway and plenty of food to choose from.
One note: I am SO glad we checked the two bags and thank you for suggesting it might be a good idea. Now, if those bags do not appear in Switzerland in a couple of hours it will suddenly have been a very BAD idea I suppose.
General snarky comments: Eventually after one holes up in some lounge you have to venture out into the general population and wait for boarding. And we found what seems to be, unfortunately, the usual: people using the seats next to them to store their bags, their coffee, etc. Not as much shouting into cellphones as usual so that was a plus.
Does ANYBODY know what language those people "at the podium" actually speak when they make those announcements? They must have special "garble microphones" so I just tune it all out. Line lice: people hovering at the beginning of that "lane" they create with those ribbon things so they can RUSH up to be the first to board and grab all the overhead bin space.
Weather good here...patches of blue sky apparent. More later.
To answer, kinda, the question about the lounge at Miami above: no, we were in the so-called "Premium Lounge" above the shuttle departures area on Concourse E. It is basically run by American and used by British, Iberia, and other OneWorld carriers. I stuck to my usual Goose and 7's...several to be honest, so cannot comment on bubbly brands/grades.
The flight: not quite as "mobby" as when we took the same flight over last year. In fact, boarding was a lot more organized this time around. Aircraft was a BA so-called "legacy" (weasel word for OLD) 747-400 which BA is apparently beginning to withdraw from service.
We sprang for First Class seats this time around. Yeah, they escort you from the jetway to your seat and since there were only 7 passengers in a cabin normally seating 14 the service was even more attentive than would be expected.
In flight entertainment system had to be re-booted several times before it would work correctly. I wasn't all that impressed with the overall selections but they do help pass the time. Food decent; flat bed seat and for whatever reason I did not get one minute of sleep; I knew I should have popped a couple of Melatonins which always work well for me but I neglected to bring any (duh).
Flight fairly smooth. If there is ever ANY turbulence my mind immediately envisions mid-air collisions; falling 36,000 feet; being a victim of a terrorist explosion, etc., etc., and we did have short periods of same.
Heathrow, what can I say? You walk, and walk, and waaaaalk through Terminal 3 to the bus connection; the security at 5 was VERY fast this morning. This lounge has a great view over the (current) take-off runway and plenty of food to choose from.
One note: I am SO glad we checked the two bags and thank you for suggesting it might be a good idea. Now, if those bags do not appear in Switzerland in a couple of hours it will suddenly have been a very BAD idea I suppose.
General snarky comments: Eventually after one holes up in some lounge you have to venture out into the general population and wait for boarding. And we found what seems to be, unfortunately, the usual: people using the seats next to them to store their bags, their coffee, etc. Not as much shouting into cellphones as usual so that was a plus.
Does ANYBODY know what language those people "at the podium" actually speak when they make those announcements? They must have special "garble microphones" so I just tune it all out. Line lice: people hovering at the beginning of that "lane" they create with those ribbon things so they can RUSH up to be the first to board and grab all the overhead bin space.
Weather good here...patches of blue sky apparent. More later.
