30 something

Only 30 or so days to go, and we will be off to the USA. I have patiently organised everything that I can think of, over the past few months (flights, car, motels, etc.) and have been ruthlessly tracking down the things that I did NOT think of!

When we booked our flights, it was not possible to choose our seats. Virgin Atlantic are a shower, that way. We had trouble with them on a previous trip. They are in the process of charging you £25 per person, per flight, for the right to choose your seat. This comes in to effect, come April. So this time, we beat the cheapskates! We arranged our seats with the travel company – and Virgin promptly ignored them! The write-up by Virgin on how to choose your seat has changed more times than a baby’s nappy. 30 days before, 60 days before, yes, no, link broken – what a fandango! Then they opened the seat booking page, and we sneaked in. Chose our seats. Sneaked out again. Of course, it doesn’t mean owt as far as Virgin are concerned – pay 6 months in advance and you expect some trivial benefit? No! No! No guarantee! That is the Virgin mantra. So we expect the usual nonsense when we book in.

I spent so much time, working out the plan, that I did not spot the glaring discrepancy in our flight booking, until it was pointed out to me, last night. Fly out from London GATWICK – fly back to London HEATHROW. Oooooooooh! Our car will be sitting in the car park in Gatwick! Not good! Quick flurry on the internet last night, and a taxi booked to transport us around London. Fixed. Why can’t London just have one airport? Does it really need four? (Five if you add the proposed ‘Boris Island’) And why do I always have to drive to the London Airport that is furthest away? I live to the north, but have never flown from London Stansted. At London Docklands, I once spent half an our on a Fisheries Protection Vessel …

Each part of the trip should produce a blog entry. I have preloaded maps of each stage, so only have to write up the day as it happens. Nephew! You will be able to follow our travels, no problem.

Usually, on each holiday, I organise a disaster sweepstake. The winner being the one who correctly identifies the biggest disaster to strike our holiday. One of the reasons why I have never visited Yellowstone Park and its underlying supervolcano.
This time, for a change, I thought that I might do a USA Song Contest, the winner being the person who correctly finds the most songs that get mentioned in the blog – the obvious, and the not so obvious. In the unlikely event of a tie, the winner will be chosen out of a hat (or by whim, whatever is appropriate!)

The contest will commence with the blog entry ‘Sea to Shining Sea’ and finish on the day we fly home – April First 2014. Make of that what you will. I have not decided whether it will be a free contest, or one with a donation to charity. Open to suggestions.

Mesklin