Day 1:  5/7 (Wed)

We set up a car to pic us up–I had a friend who knew someone and so we were able to get a deal and it was so much convenient and neither of us had anyone who coud get away to take us there.

This is something that is very individual—-a service or a taxi can be set up in advancee and generally is not cheap—but you can usually count on getting there in plenty of time.  Note costs can be excess—in our case we had a friend who belonged to an on line organization that traded services—she was a housekeeper—-and she had gotten the airport credit—-she arranged for him to drive us so that worked well for us and she owed me a favor so we were all good.

Then we went on to my friend’s location, which was of course closer to the airport and picked up her and her two sons.

In the past I have also talked family and friends into it—-

I usually have them just drop me off at least 2 (or more I prefer 3 to be honest) hours before the trip—they don’t have to stay with me.  In this case i was with friends, but even when I’m alone I so the same thing.  Drop me off—I check my luggage at the curb and then head on in to the counter for my air lines—I really think it’s easier when I’m on my own.

We got there at Virgin and checked in……and set up the luggage to go—then we had about 3 hrs left—plane left at 6:55 and we had to be here about 45 min before they left so we went thru airport and to the gate—checked in there too and then went to the shopping and shopping area and had lunch.  checked out some stores and was back in the gate area in plenty of time….

We were tourist class, but at that time on Virgin they included free alcoholic drinks—free dinner and breakfast next day—lots of current movies on your on screen on the back of the seat in front of you, so once boarded and the plane had taken off we watched movies—at that time more than one of the ones I saw were first runs ….and then you’d eventually fall asleep—They come around every 2 hrs to keep you hydrated  until you doze off.

I discovered Virgin when I took the Camel trip to the UK—-they booked us on it and I was impressed with their service, the food and of course the free entertainment (internet connect is a charge if you’d like it and are in tourist class—we’ve since upgraded to a business class which is more expensive but has bigger seats and includes internet).  Oh and when you’re tired of watching the movies and are dozing off you can put up a map which shows you the plane’s and you of course==—-current loction.

I always try to include a loose sweater or a shaw or small blanket in my carry ons to cuddle up in and help me sleep—- When you board Virgin gives you a container with tooth brush, paste (in 1998 the tooth brush had a rubber ducky that hung from the end) as well a a pair of booties so you could take off your shoes—a mask to block out the light and lavender spray to sent your pillow and help you fall asleep easier—-its very nice……They did this my last trip 5 years ago don’t know what they’re doing now.

The flight is direct, non-stop from Orlando to London Gatwick.

I suggest you check the various airlines and see what your best deal for the money is before you make that reservation…..I try to reserve about 6 months or more in advande as I find I get a break then and my choice of seat locations

What I’m going to tell you next may make you ask “why” i keep going to London—crazy I guess.

I’m sure most of you have heart of Jack The Ripper 

But did youknow they had another man called The London Monster (1788 – 1790) who while not as deadly was still scary.  THis man would approach a woman with a hand full of artificial flowrs, but the women he offered them to he would become incensed and shout and threaten and when she would try to flee he would draw a blade and he would begin slicing the por thing, cutting through her clothes and undergarments and eventualy bring pain and blood..  She would eventually escape while her attacker would stand in place ranting and raving .

The attacks brought attention to the poor quality of police guarding London.  It got so bad that woman were much affraid and some even suppliment their under garments with leather and even heavier items to keep the blade ffrom their skin.

Eventually Rhynwick Williams a Jermyn Street artist was arrested  as a result of an award offered for his arrest.   Williams did in fact make silk flowers.  There was som dificulty establishing a case, in fact it was thought that many of the witnesses were really just there for the money and not actually seeing anything.

Finally enough reliable witnesses were found—but there there as the next problem–the crime didin’t fit any existing crime definition.  It was eventually decided that he would be tried under a statue that classified a felony assault an intent to tear or deface another’s clothing—-strange huh I can cut you with a knife and probably get away with it but not your clothes.

He was convicted and sentenced for 6 years in Newgate Prison.

Ok of note for you:  Remember the UK does not have the same elecrical system as we do- (neither does Europe and much  of the world—always check that informaton—-you can look it up on line or usually your hotel cn tell you.  –so I’d suggest you pick up some converters—-Shops and stores with luggage section usually sell these converters.   You can buy some at the airports if you’re desperate but I’m sure you know that means lots more money.

Simply EVERYTHING you need to know about travel adapters

I went to a store that sold all manner of electricl items.  One of the clerks suggested  instead of buying a bunch of the converters you can just buy one and then take one of those short extention cords with a strip of plug ins—you plug the strip in and you can fun your appliance from this—-I’m presuming you aren’t taking any big items that would burn it up—it’s worked for us on the last couple of trips.

What is the Difference Between American and European Electrical Outlets?

From Vicoria station take exi into Bridge Place, turn right, walk 50 meters until you reach Belgrave Road, Cross the road and go left—the hotel is situated opposite to the UK Passprt office.

I write up my info in a book—I have a phobia on putting everything in my computer—afraid it will go down at the area I’m staying at—or get stolen—people tend not to steal dumb notebooks—–that diretions I just put there is from a omposition Book (cost about 99 cents and work out well and fit in my carry on and much more and I don’t have to put them seperately out of my bags when I go thru security.

You can opt for all kinds of hotel—we prefer comfortable, clean and affordable—-COMFORT INN VICTORIA    –—-we booked on a service but if you’d like you can call and speak with management –some of them have told me that they can offer deals which will save everybody money….   They offer breakfasts with your room price and  free Wifi which with my blog is a must—–you can find all manner of things from hostels (really cheap and offering bare minimum, Bed and Breakfasts, to name a few—there’s also apartments for rent and on and on—-up to the top of the line hotels that you have to prove a royal line or pay a lot more than I have in my budget for a lot of the year—

so I recommend:

1.  get everybody together and decide what area of London you want to stay in—I’ve told you why I like Victoria—-
2. What you want in a room—or would you rather an apartment?
3. and what provided—-breakfast, coffee machine in your room, a hotel with a restaurant, or a bar and restaurant
4. and then how much you want to pay……then those of the group that are interested in getting things all set up and ready pick a day and set down with your computers together or with a good contact source and figure out what works given what everybody is suggesting
5. Finally present it to the group—-or if its parents and kids—tell um what you can afford
6. Then make reservations—I usually go for 6 months or earlier—-that way I can get rooms I want and often get a break on the room rate—-course in 2020 I had it all set up and had to cancel everything about a month before so that was a pain but…..

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