Sunday, March 25, 2012

Travel Plans

Manchester Town Hall

I had despaired that it would ever happen, then took the bull by the horns and called a travel agent last week.  My family has been little help in attempting to plan our European Vacation.  Since no one wanted to help me plan, I made my own decisions and the rest of the family is just going to have to grin and bear it. I told the agent I wanted to see lots of old buildings, quaint towns, gave her a few "must sees" that the family agreed on, and she took it from there.  I also said I wanted to stay at least three nights in at least three places.  Not all the pieces are in place, but she did a fantastic job of doing the work of getting the plans in place, motel and train reservations, and a few other treats thrown in.

We're flying into Manchester, England, near Liverpool, staying a couple nights, then taking the train to London for three nights.  We'll take another train to Paris, stay three nights, then rent a car for a "Normandy driving tour" for the next four nights, staying in three different towns.

Mont St. Michel

Finally, we take a train to Zurich, spend three nights and fly home from there. In between there are all kinds of exciting times.  We'll take a day trip to the Ilse of Jersey (where part of my family originated) and while in Zurich have a full day "Cheese, Chocolate and Mountain Tour"! I have no idea what else.  It makes me kind of tired to think about it, but I'm also getting pretty excited!

Of course, my husband is grumbling about the costs (it is expensive!) but for me, it's been a long, long time coming. I've been saving for years, and, by golly, I'm going to have my vacation in Europe, even if it is brief.

The girls are leaving a week before us, and planning to hang out with Kailyn's boyfriend, Nick, visiting his family in the south of France and going on a short trip into Spain.  They'll meet us in Manchester and the next two weeks will be family vacation time.  With both having boyfriends, and Jess nearly finished with grad school, I'm thinking it may be our last opportunity.  I want my possibly last family hurrah to be one we will not soon forget. Of course getting all four of us in cramped, forced quarters together for two weeks may end up being painfully unforgettable! We shall see! Luckily the girls are old enough to "go their own way" when the familiarity gets too close for comfort.

The air fare has been paid for, the travel itinerary will be completed next week.  In three short months I'll be immersed in a world of gothic architecture, stunning vistas, and hope to enjoy every minute of our European Adventure.  


I started this on Wednesday, prior to the "being sick" post. Thanks to everyone for their warm comments.  On Saturday Kailyn suggested I call the doctor before she left for the drive back to Ellensburg, so she could take me in.  Surprisingly I got in quickly, and they did a strep test, which was negative.  The doctor said I just have a rousing good case of the miserable flu.  Kailyn left, and David was golfing, so I basically slept the rest of the day.


I googled Manchester last night before I went to bed, and discovered it is about 40 miles from Thornton (home of the Bronte family).  This morning there was a brief mention in our newspaper about the Queen visiting in Manchester on Saturday.  


While the aches are gone this morning, I am still incredibly weak and coughing almost constantly.  It will be a slow day, with frequent rest stops, but at least I am feeling like I will survive!

16 comments:

  1. "cheese, chocolate and mountains", sounds like fun. I've only been overseas once, to Spain, in 1974. Enjoy your family vacation.

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  2. How exciting! We took our girls to Europe when they were 2 and 4, and the idea of going back someday when they're old enough to roam around sounds awesome. You will have such adventures!

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  3. It all sounds wonderful!! You will come back full of energy with lots of pictures which I hope you will share will us all.

    I hope you feel completely well soon.

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  4. Sounds awesome...hope you have a wonderful time!!!!!!!

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  5. This sounds like a great summer vacation. We are thinking about what we can do before our kids take off in their own directions too. I hope you find everything you are looking for over there and more. It would be so fun for me to see where the family came from. Do you dabble in genealogy?

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  6. Don't listen to the grumbling. They will all (even hubby) enjoy this special time with each other and also the wonderful opportunity to see the other side of the "pond"! You've worked hard, saved hard and now you can reap those rewards. I'm glad you saw a Doc, but I wish he could have made the recovery faster...oh well, the body will heal itself in it's own time, just give it the rest it needs. Have a good and healthier week!

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  7. Your trip sounds so exciting. I'm so happy you are doing this. I'm also happy that you took the bull by the horns and got the plans going. This will be a once in a lifetime trip. You have worked hard. Now, go and enjoy the time with your family seeing new site and having new adventures.

    Have we ever talked about this before? My ancestors also came from the Isle of Jersey. I want to go there someday. Take lots of pictures.

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  8. This sounds like a very good trip, not too long, just right, I hope. And I am so glad to hear you are now much better and on the mend. :-)

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  9. I'm so sorry that you've been sick Sandi. And sorry that I haven't been by, just very busy. But good for you for taking the bull by the horns! It sounds like a fabulous trip and I wish I could come along!!
    Travel agents are the way to go. Let them do all the work!!
    Love Di ♥

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  10. It sounds like you are on the mend and here's hoping that your dreams of all the fun and adventures you will have on your European vacation will help you feel 100 percent soon.

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  11. My goodness, when you get sick, you really do get sick! Hope you feel better soon.

    I love your itinerary! You and your family will have a blast!!! Enjoy!

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  12. Dear Sandi, So sorry I missed your being-sick posting as I would have encouraged you to be truly good to yourself and to rest and sleep and then sleep some more.

    Glad to learn from today's posting that you are feeling so much better and that you've gone ahead and booked your summer vacation in Europe. How wonderful for you and your husband and daughters! I got to go to Europe back in 1976 and I'll never forget the thrill of seeing the places I'd read about for so many years. Oh, I'm so happy for you.

    Peace.

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  13. How exciting for you. A holiday in Europe. It will be a whirlwind tour and I'm sure you'll be exhausted at the end of it.

    I hope you enjoy every minute. And I also hope your travel agent has found some interesting places close to Manchester.

    Hope you're feeling restored to health.

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  14. A good choice Sandi. Thanks for visiting my Manchester blog, I'd be delighted to meet up and show you a few sights if you like- it's not an 'obvious' city like London or Paris and the centre is smnall, but lots of history.- depends what you and your family are into!

    I spend my time between a tiny city centre flat and the family home in Cheshire so get to see all aspects of it. And am a Londoner originally so I know that well too. Do email me -would love to help if I can chrissylb@hotmail.co.uk

    Hope you feel better too

    Chrissy at Mancunian Wave photo blog

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  15. Saw your comment on Chrissy's blog - Manchester is a much better place to fly into than London - so great choice.

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  16. I'm so excited for your trip, and so proud of you for taking the bull by the horns and asking for help. I love that we'll be having parallel adventures at the exact same time.

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