The long awaited trip report! LIVE so that you can comment along the way!
Jun 25th, 2013, 02:29 PM
#82
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Heimdall, Claire is Australian, as am I, and what you commented in is called High Tea here.
And for what it's worth, it took me about 3 seconds to find Internet referenced to both High Tea and Afternoon Tea at The Ritz.
Claire, yours is about the only situation where I would agree that the HOHO bus is a good idea. The kids will enjoy the experience and you and your mum can kick back and relax a little.
StCirq, thanks for the clarification, I had wondered but wasn't sure. ,
And for what it's worth, it took me about 3 seconds to find Internet referenced to both High Tea and Afternoon Tea at The Ritz.
Claire, yours is about the only situation where I would agree that the HOHO bus is a good idea. The kids will enjoy the experience and you and your mum can kick back and relax a little.
StCirq, thanks for the clarification, I had wondered but wasn't sure. ,
Jun 25th, 2013, 09:30 PM
#84
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Dukey, I am not bored, nor am I am "office worker"... where do you come up with such silly generalizations.. are YOU a bored office worker?
I did find it weird that Claire missed her flight simply because I am not a rich enough person to ever put myself in that position. I can't afford to throw money at issues that need to be fixed that could easily have been prevented. It is presumptuous of me however to assume that everyone is like me, so for that I am sorry that my amazement came across as criticism . I hope Claire has a wonderful trip, I am sure she will actually.
I did find it weird that Claire missed her flight simply because I am not a rich enough person to ever put myself in that position. I can't afford to throw money at issues that need to be fixed that could easily have been prevented. It is presumptuous of me however to assume that everyone is like me, so for that I am sorry that my amazement came across as criticism . I hope Claire has a wonderful trip, I am sure she will actually.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:49 AM
#85
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I think that some Americans, and I see Australians think that "high" in tea means posh.
I had a Yorkshire mother and I have a Scottish husband. In both places high tea, often just called tea is a substantial meal eaten around 6pm with a savoury course followed by scones, cakes, jam etc.
The meal with dainty sandwiches is called afternoon tea.
Like others, I am getting amusement from this thread.
I share the plane ticket surprise, but then I make long lists before departure of things to check and tick them off in turn.
I even have stuff like, "lock kitchen door", because I have been known to agonise about whether I did it or not.
I had a Yorkshire mother and I have a Scottish husband. In both places high tea, often just called tea is a substantial meal eaten around 6pm with a savoury course followed by scones, cakes, jam etc.
The meal with dainty sandwiches is called afternoon tea.
Like others, I am getting amusement from this thread.
I share the plane ticket surprise, but then I make long lists before departure of things to check and tick them off in turn.
I even have stuff like, "lock kitchen door", because I have been known to agonise about whether I did it or not.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:56 AM
#86
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Cathies, call it what you like in Australia, but in England it's afternoon tea. The references to "high tea" at the Ritz are simply to direct internet searches to their afternoon tea web page. I am not English either, but live here and try to use British terminology when I can. ;-)
http://www.theritzlondon.com/tea/
http://www.theritzlondon.com/tea/
Jun 26th, 2013, 01:04 AM
#87
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Ok, this is a typical Scottish high tea menu
http://theroyalgeorgehotel.co.uk/high-tea-menu.html
You would stagger away from the table after that lot.
Note that they serve it from 5pm onwards.
I have stayed in hotels where they serve high tea and dinner. It's great for young families and I suppose also for people who prefer an early evening meal
http://theroyalgeorgehotel.co.uk/high-tea-menu.html
You would stagger away from the table after that lot.
Note that they serve it from 5pm onwards.
I have stayed in hotels where they serve high tea and dinner. It's great for young families and I suppose also for people who prefer an early evening meal
Jun 26th, 2013, 02:37 AM
#89
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Good reference, MissPrism! I learned fairly early that when invited to someone's home for "tea", if the invitation were for around 6-7 pm that meant supper, as we call it in the US. Afternoon tea is just that — served in the afternoon between lunch and dinner, and certainly wouldn't include the courses in your Scottish menu.
As an aside, when I first came to England and asked someone in a pub where the bathroom was, the answer was "Why? Do you want a bath?". Now I ask "Where is the loo?" ;-)
As an aside, when I first came to England and asked someone in a pub where the bathroom was, the answer was "Why? Do you want a bath?". Now I ask "Where is the loo?" ;-)
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:04 PM
#91
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ARE YOU ALL READY FOR IT!
I will start from the beginning!
Last night was great. Kids got room service and a early nights sleep and I got to go out and do a night walk. Oxford St, West End, Soho etc...was a great night.
Decided to save the pounds and not do a show since I hadn't seen my friend in so long so I wanted to spend time catching up ...found a great little indian place ( since this is food I cant eat with kids) then we walked and walked and walked.
Day 4
HOHO . . .ok . .positives . .what worked great . . .being able to sit and see the main sites while the kids had their sleeps ...really relaxing and I really enjoyed listening to the commentary and seeing the sites. However, it was annoying that there where places we were taken to that I had no interest in and it did take a really long time to do!
We got off to go and have lunch around Oxford St . . found a cute little place down a side street ...kids had a milkshake and toasted sandwich and mum and I had a panni . .well first mum ordered a slad . .but a hair was in it. . . so we returned it.
From here we walked down Bond St and window shopped till we got to Regent St and Carnaby St . .loved that street! Very cool!
Took the kids to Hamley's . .amazing! Kids had a ball and I spent a fortune!
NOW MY DRAMA!
Leaving this store . . 2yr old on hip, holding shopping bags in the same hand and holding my sons hand with the other I got shoved while looking for a taxi . .. it was a space of minutes between mum turning her back to flag down the taxi and me walking into the taxi.
I strated first being upset as I notice I had lost my daughter's new shoe . .glitter pink croc . . from the stupid shove and then I realized . . my bag front pocket was unzipped and my phone was gone!
It all was such a blur! The phone was an iphone so I only lost the days photos ...I have insurance and I made sure it was set up so you couldn't make phone calls etc but it is still a horrible feeling!
I am just thankful I didn't have my credit card in the front pocket because I often put it there when I leave the shop and then sort out bits in bobs when sitting down etc.
SO DRAMA 2 HAS HAPPENED! Our dinner out was meant to Jamie Olivers in COnvent Garden but after that I just wanted to stay home a sulk about how stupid I was at thinking I would be fine dealing with it all like I do at home.
I guess I am thankful it happened here in London so I can at least speak to people in English and get it sorted out before I go to France. It'll also make me incredibly more aware of how quick these things can happen!
I have discovered that being in these busy streets with kids and no stroller is not a good mix! and I hope those of you in future travels will learn from me to not use those front pockets of bags for anything but tissues and dummies!
Tomorrow we have our private driver for the day . . huge adventure out to Thomas the Tank Land (Drayton Manor), and some other little places . .it's going to be a huge day for the kids!
I am still hoping that since my phone has been set up with sending messages that is lost etc that they might just get it returned to be for the reward but I doubt it!
Here's hoping that this is it! But yes I know it is a doubt as things happen in 3's
On a side note . . I still need to somehow get from Eurodisney to Brieve and then pick up a car to drop off in Barcelona . . I can't seem to be able to figure out the train to catch ( I want a direct train) or find a car company that will let me use the car for 6days from there to Barcelona . .can anyone help?
Good night everyone! I am having to stay up till midnight so I can call Australia to sort out my phone replacement! fingers crossed it'll be easy!
I will start from the beginning!
Last night was great. Kids got room service and a early nights sleep and I got to go out and do a night walk. Oxford St, West End, Soho etc...was a great night.
Decided to save the pounds and not do a show since I hadn't seen my friend in so long so I wanted to spend time catching up ...found a great little indian place ( since this is food I cant eat with kids) then we walked and walked and walked.
Day 4
HOHO . . .ok . .positives . .what worked great . . .being able to sit and see the main sites while the kids had their sleeps ...really relaxing and I really enjoyed listening to the commentary and seeing the sites. However, it was annoying that there where places we were taken to that I had no interest in and it did take a really long time to do!
We got off to go and have lunch around Oxford St . . found a cute little place down a side street ...kids had a milkshake and toasted sandwich and mum and I had a panni . .well first mum ordered a slad . .but a hair was in it. . . so we returned it.
From here we walked down Bond St and window shopped till we got to Regent St and Carnaby St . .loved that street! Very cool!
Took the kids to Hamley's . .amazing! Kids had a ball and I spent a fortune!
NOW MY DRAMA!
Leaving this store . . 2yr old on hip, holding shopping bags in the same hand and holding my sons hand with the other I got shoved while looking for a taxi . .. it was a space of minutes between mum turning her back to flag down the taxi and me walking into the taxi.
I strated first being upset as I notice I had lost my daughter's new shoe . .glitter pink croc . . from the stupid shove and then I realized . . my bag front pocket was unzipped and my phone was gone!
It all was such a blur! The phone was an iphone so I only lost the days photos ...I have insurance and I made sure it was set up so you couldn't make phone calls etc but it is still a horrible feeling!
I am just thankful I didn't have my credit card in the front pocket because I often put it there when I leave the shop and then sort out bits in bobs when sitting down etc.
SO DRAMA 2 HAS HAPPENED! Our dinner out was meant to Jamie Olivers in COnvent Garden but after that I just wanted to stay home a sulk about how stupid I was at thinking I would be fine dealing with it all like I do at home.
I guess I am thankful it happened here in London so I can at least speak to people in English and get it sorted out before I go to France. It'll also make me incredibly more aware of how quick these things can happen!
I have discovered that being in these busy streets with kids and no stroller is not a good mix! and I hope those of you in future travels will learn from me to not use those front pockets of bags for anything but tissues and dummies!
Tomorrow we have our private driver for the day . . huge adventure out to Thomas the Tank Land (Drayton Manor), and some other little places . .it's going to be a huge day for the kids!
I am still hoping that since my phone has been set up with sending messages that is lost etc that they might just get it returned to be for the reward but I doubt it!
Here's hoping that this is it! But yes I know it is a doubt as things happen in 3's
On a side note . . I still need to somehow get from Eurodisney to Brieve and then pick up a car to drop off in Barcelona . . I can't seem to be able to figure out the train to catch ( I want a direct train) or find a car company that will let me use the car for 6days from there to Barcelona . .can anyone help?
Good night everyone! I am having to stay up till midnight so I can call Australia to sort out my phone replacement! fingers crossed it'll be easy!
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:15 PM
#92
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Well here's a bit of specific advice for the future: Claire, in the future, when you purchase a flight ticket, the first thing you should do - before even purchasing it, either through your agent, or online, etc - is CHECK THE TIME. And date. Check the exact time and day and date. Check it again. Make sure that works for you. Once again, do it BEFORE you even purchase the ticket. Not after. Before you decide to purchase.
As for the reality of this TR - One of my husband's co-workers is the type who lives on the fly, and does really dramatic, sometimes reckless, dangerous things on the spur of the moment. Of course, he gets himself into these amazing, unbelievable predicaments. If I told you some of his travel stories, you'd never believe it, but a few of them have happened while my husband was traveling with him, on business or when they're gone fishing in Canada together. He has missed flights for all kinds of crazy reasons that other people would not miss them for. He went mountain climbing in the Sierra Nevadas in California and didn't pack a jacket and forgot his sleeping bag. That kind of thing. Every time, he either buys his way out of a jam, or relies on the mercy and generosity of those around him. My husband won't go fishing with him anymore because he'll do things like bring broken fishing rods, then beg others to use theirs; or decide to go swimming or hiking five minutes before the plane is scheduled to arrive to pick them up. However- he gets himself into these jams, every single time, because he does not plan at all. He'll decide to go somehwere or do something, and then after he gets there, start working on the details.
So, for that reason, I'm confounded by the fact that someone who would spend so much time working on details of a trip, ask for advice on travel forums (I'm of the mind that it's a certain type of person - an exact, planning type more or less - who peruses travel forums)would not even bother to look at the time of their flight before they even purchased it. And then after purchasing, still not look at it!! Not only that, but no one else in the travel party bothered to look at, or ask about, the flights and the exact times?! That's just crazy.
As for the reality of this TR - One of my husband's co-workers is the type who lives on the fly, and does really dramatic, sometimes reckless, dangerous things on the spur of the moment. Of course, he gets himself into these amazing, unbelievable predicaments. If I told you some of his travel stories, you'd never believe it, but a few of them have happened while my husband was traveling with him, on business or when they're gone fishing in Canada together. He has missed flights for all kinds of crazy reasons that other people would not miss them for. He went mountain climbing in the Sierra Nevadas in California and didn't pack a jacket and forgot his sleeping bag. That kind of thing. Every time, he either buys his way out of a jam, or relies on the mercy and generosity of those around him. My husband won't go fishing with him anymore because he'll do things like bring broken fishing rods, then beg others to use theirs; or decide to go swimming or hiking five minutes before the plane is scheduled to arrive to pick them up. However- he gets himself into these jams, every single time, because he does not plan at all. He'll decide to go somehwere or do something, and then after he gets there, start working on the details.
So, for that reason, I'm confounded by the fact that someone who would spend so much time working on details of a trip, ask for advice on travel forums (I'm of the mind that it's a certain type of person - an exact, planning type more or less - who peruses travel forums)would not even bother to look at the time of their flight before they even purchased it. And then after purchasing, still not look at it!! Not only that, but no one else in the travel party bothered to look at, or ask about, the flights and the exact times?! That's just crazy.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:17 PM
#93
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Where are you keeping money/passport. You've been introduced to ''pickpocket by distraction''. you have a LOT of distraction--and will have every day of this trip. You need to really assess how you are carrying your "valuables" and probably get a "belt fanny pack" that you wear forward--and under some clothing. It isn't foolproof, but does make it harder.
Someone answered your question about the car to Brieve LONG ago--probably St. Cirq.
Someone answered your question about the car to Brieve LONG ago--probably St. Cirq.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:22 PM
#94
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To get to Brieve( which btw is listed at Brive la Gaillarde, which is why maybe you can't find it on SNCF) I see many seats avaialbe.. where are you looking?
Its kind of out of the way ,,, is there a reason you are going there, lol ?
Its kind of out of the way ,,, is there a reason you are going there, lol ?
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:26 PM
#95
Crazy, really sorry this has happened to you, at least you and kids safe and sound.
http://preyproject.com/ if you load this tool then your phone can call for help.
http://preyproject.com/ if you load this tool then your phone can call for help.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:29 PM
#96
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Hi Gretchen! Yes money and passports and tickets are in my money belt!
St Cirq..did give me the Brieve idea and then I was going to catch a train into Barcelona . .since then we haven't had luck of finding a car company with a car large enough to take us into Barcelona
if any of you can give me a link that would be great.
it just happened so quickly! I still am in shock! just so thankful it wasn't my purse! I am hoping since it is an iphone that they will return it! wishful thinking I know but I was able to send a message to my phone saying where I was and that I would give a reward because it has family photos on it
St Cirq..did give me the Brieve idea and then I was going to catch a train into Barcelona . .since then we haven't had luck of finding a car company with a car large enough to take us into Barcelona
if any of you can give me a link that would be great.it just happened so quickly! I still am in shock! just so thankful it wasn't my purse! I am hoping since it is an iphone that they will return it! wishful thinking I know but I was able to send a message to my phone saying where I was and that I would give a reward because it has family photos on it
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:30 PM
#97
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There are no direct trains from Disneyland (Marne-la-Vallée) to Brive. You either have to take the RER back into Paris, get to the Gare d'Austerlitz, then take a train to Brive, or you can catch a train at Disneyland, with two changes of train before you get to Brive (Poitiers and Limoges or Lille and Paris). And the tickets should have been bought a couple of months ago at least - they would have been a fraction of the cost.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:35 PM
#98
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Sorry this has happened, but no point being yet another person who will point out the obvious. Hope you at least have the Iphone protection that will lock down your phone, and render it useless when it is next turned on. Hope you are connected to Icloud and your pictures can be retrieved. When you get a new phone, keep it in your money belt. Are you walking around with your passports and your tickets home?
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:36 PM
#99
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Yes, I did explain in detail, including about the correct spelling of Brive, months ago. The booking site for French trains is www.voyages-sncf.com. Since you're already in Europe, you don't have the option of being switched over to Rail Europe, so don't go there.
Jun 26th, 2013, 12:46 PM
#100
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Hi socal and StCirq . . .yep phone all set up on icloud . . hjust don't know if the latest photos are in icloud . . . yes I have the app to lock down the phone . . .I was using my phone for the photos as it was so easy and light to use ..also handy with maps etc so I don't think money belt will work with that. Yes passports and tickets are in my belt. DO you disagree with this?
STCirq, We want a direct train . . we will have a car . .so we could drive to wherever is best with a car drop off etc.
Remember I tried to do tickets online but couldn't due to the aussie credit card or something.
It's still cheaper then if I bought the tickets from Rail Europe . .I checked it all out before I left.
There were reasons to why tickets weren't all booked and paid for . .like needing the money up front.
Thanks for jumping on and helping though . .glad you are still with me on this trip even though I annoy you!
STCirq, We want a direct train . . we will have a car . .so we could drive to wherever is best with a car drop off etc.
Remember I tried to do tickets online but couldn't due to the aussie credit card or something.
It's still cheaper then if I bought the tickets from Rail Europe . .I checked it all out before I left.
There were reasons to why tickets weren't all booked and paid for . .like needing the money up front.
Thanks for jumping on and helping though . .glad you are still with me on this trip even though I annoy you!
