On the left of the picture is the cell phone that Dennis (Dear Heart!) sent me. I'd link to his blog, but he seems not to be writing there at this time, since he's focusing on his dissertation, which is absolutely the right thing to do. He bought it in France and tells me that with a SIM card for England, it should work there. I'll need to buy the SIM card and some minutes, and I'll be good to go. Above it is the adapter plug, which I will need to charge the phone
In the center is the 120/240 curling iron, which I have used in Europe, not sure about England, which switches automatically between US and European voltages without a converter. The adapter plug fits the curling iron, too.
On the right is the curling iron which I bought in England, has the proper English plug, and which I know won't blow the iron or the hotel wiring, but it is old. I also tend to burn myself with that type of curling iron. I'm trying to decide which curling iron to take.
The hotel provides a hair dryer, so I don't need to carry that along.
Trivia at its worst, I know.
I'm flying into Manchester. From there I'll take the train to Leeds, where I'll stay at my hotel for the entire time, poke around Leeds and take day trips from there to other nearby places that seem interesting. I don't like packing and unpacking my suitcases and sleeping in different places every night or so. I have a few excursions already planned, but I don't want to give details online.
Have I said that Doorman-Priest and his lovely wife have taken me up as a project to make my stay in England as enjoyable as possible? If I have, it's worth saying again, because there is no way that I can repay them for their many kindnesses, and I'm not even there yet.
If I were you I'd take the curling iron you're least likely to burn yourself with. It should be fine with the adapter plug, but it might heat up a little faster with the higher voltage.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the camera!
ReplyDeleteSong, I'm leaning toward your recommendation.
ReplyDeletePadre, the camera is on a battery. No worry about compatibility there. And I won't forget it. It's small, and I always have it with me.
Oops! Gotta remember the charger, though, so I'm glad you mentioned it. Thank goodness! The charger is marked for both voltages, so I still should not need an adapter.
I wish you the very best trip, with safe voyaging, uneventful in terms of no mishaps, and full of wonderful events in terms of delightful surprises. Do be careful, I hear there are mad priests in England. The ones on this side of the pond are scary enough.
ReplyDeletePaul, thank you, love.
ReplyDeleteWho, if not you, taught me about scary priests "over here"? Just sayin'.
Grandmere --so excited for you! I hope you have such a good time you decide not to use the curling iron, whichever one you decide to take, because you are just too busy to spend time messing like that!
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers for a safe journey, a wonderful visit, and a safe return home.
Margaret, my hair has a mind of its own. I just do touch-ups which don't take long. Sometimes, I don't even need to use it, but I like to have the curling brush with me.
ReplyDeleteVanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Indeed! The preacher is right.
Manchester, England, England.
ReplyDeleteAcross the Atlantic Sea.
And I believe in God.
And I believe that God believes in Claude:
That's me.
That's me.
Just a bit of libretto from "Hair" which, when I read it at age 12, never left me. Go figure!
Bon Voyage, cher Mimi! :-)
JCF, thanks. It's all true. I guess I even believe in Claude. That's me.
ReplyDeleteHave a truly lovely time. We'll miss you.
ReplyDeleteMimi: The French plug is an adapter attached to the regular charger. Just give it a good pull and the French adapter will come off and you can then use an adapter to fit it for an English plug.
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip!!!!
So many prayers for you dear Mimi! I think you will have an amazing journey and the "green and pleasant land" will be all the better from your presence.
ReplyDeleteBon Voyage, have a wonderful time, enjoy the lovely English countryside, the warm English hospitality, the magnificent English cathedrals, and don't forget to pack the tummy pills for the English cooking.
ReplyDeleteTell us all about it when you get back, especially if you make any trips to Newcastle.
Dennis, you didn't send the French plug. I'll correct the post to show that. The charger plug fits fine into my adapter. All is cool, love. Thanks so much for sending the phone.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, thanks. I shall enjoy, I've got my tummy pills.
ReplyDeleteEnglish cooking? Pistols at dawn my friend. 'Tis an outdated slur!
ReplyDeleteMimi,
ReplyDeleteI am excited for you and I cannot wait to see the pictures and hear the tales you will tell. I will not be hopeful, tho, that you will post Madpriest's real picture. I will just have to find him for myself one of these days. But I would like to be a fly on the wall as you first see each other in person. All the best as you spend the few days putting your stuff together for the trip. Prayers for Grandpere as he prepares to spend a few weeks without you around.
Rudo
O, I remember the shepherd's pies of yore... And I remember how I came to Ealing with my electric razor machine - only, it didn't work. The plugs were all different in England (or perhaps in that very 1950ies house, Neo Georgian and all...).
ReplyDeleteSo I slipped down the road to the Underground station where there was a pharmacy of some sort, and got myself a razor and some foam.
It was red, the razor that is. I had it for at least 15 years... I still don't use electrical ones - never found them good, anyway ;=)
Rudo, I have my orders. No pictures of MP, and I shall surely respect his wishes.
ReplyDeleteGöran, I have a pink razor!
Have a wonderful adventure, Mimi! Be sure to give MP and Doorman Priest hugs for all of us - tho you can do it with one big one rather than a hundred little ones.
ReplyDeleteWe hope you can find a place or two to post just so we know you are ok. You will certainly have a huge cloud of would-be (and a few wouldn't-be) angels following you everywhere.
Piskie, a long time ago on his blog, MP said he does not do hugs, either, not even Kim Bassinger. I'll respect his wish with that, too.
ReplyDeleteI believe that DP may let me give him a hug for y'all.
Be sure to let us know what the Mad One is like in person. I hope you also get to meet Mrs. MP and the wonderful dogs that they have.
ReplyDeletelooking forward to hearing details. I hope that you have a chance to blog a little on the road.
ReplyDeleteWhiteycat, I will.
ReplyDeleteDennis, I'll try, but I make no promises. If I'm having a good time, do you think that I will tear myself away to blog? Really!
Am I too late to the party? I've been with "the folks" over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteFirst, why would you display your "toys" on a blog that the Mad One has described as "barely legal?" This is providing "opportunity." You need to start asking yourself, "WCMPDWMP?" (What could Mad Priest do with my post"?)
Secondly, please kiss the Mad One on the lips for me. You know he wants it. I'm pretty sure he's the kissy, huggy type.
Lastly, bon voyage!
KJ, you are bad. I'll never say that you're a nice boy again.
ReplyDeleteA kiss on the lips! You jest!
Thanks for the good wishes.
Mimi, I'm so glad Dennis sent you his phone. I was going to volunteer my British cellphone (mobile, as they call it) but it is really old and I was afraid it might give you more bother than help. Based on the display above, I trust you will be all set from the techno point of view.
ReplyDeleteHave a marvellous time and know that you will be 'covered' in my prayers, as will DP and Mrs DP and MP and Mrs MP and their dogs, and all the other friends you will be meeting. I don't know how we are going to manage without you, but we shall be brave, stiff upper lip and all that.
PS, the one thing I meant to tell you about England at this time of year is:
ReplyDeleteMUD!
It is spring, and likely to be wet, and everything gets damp and muddy. Just be sure you have shoes or boots that can tolerate that.
Mimi, have a good trip! As someone else said, don't forget the camera!
ReplyDeleteYou will have such a good time!
Mary Clara, thanks for the prayer "covering". I love it.
ReplyDeleteAs to the shoes, I'm taking two sturdy pairs of leather athletic shoes, but neither are boots. My boots are not made for walking, that is, they are not my most comfortable shoes. Can I buy some sort of cheap galoshes over there? Or should I carry along my Cajun Reeboks? Now that would give the Brits an eyeful.
Diane, thanks for the good wishes. I'm sure that I'll have a great time.
Mimi, take a coat or a good hearty sweater, too. Being spring, besides the ever-present mud, most days will be glorious (and wet), but some days can be bitter cold (and wet). This is the time of year we always went, when the child was in school, the child that is now approaching 29 where did the time go? After three trips of all glorious weather, I didn't pack my coat and came close to frostbite in Rye. VERY close, I swear. Have a wonderful trip, we'll be waiting for Trip Report as soon as you get back.
ReplyDeleteMimi, I know you will have a great time. And I know he's English, but when you're hugging him, please give MP a hug for me!
ReplyDeleteLord, you are in all of your creation. Protect and guide Mimi as she sets out to travel. Make her ways safe and her homecomings joyful. Let her have your wisdom so that she makes good and right choices in all the places that she goes. Give her safe traveling companions and let her not be lonely. Amen.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will not be the last with MP and D-P plus spouses.
Bon Voyage.
To all: I am not gonna hug MP, unless he hugs me first, and the chances of that are about a gazillion to one.
ReplyDeleteTheJanet, I've got a long raincoat with a wool zip-in liner, a good sweater, and a warm hat and wool gloves. I even have wool socks!
Brian, the prayer is beautiful. Thank you so much. I believe that I shall not be lonely.
Mimi, I love the 'Cajun Reeboks'. They appear almost indistinguishable from English "Wellies" (Wellington boots) which are excellent for this time of year. If yours are lightweight, take them along, but if not, the athletic shoes may be sufficient, certainly for urban wear, esp. if they have been treated to repel water. Wellies are great if you are going for a walk in the countryside. If need be, you could probably pick up a cheap pair there. These days you can get the traditional black, but also lots of splendid patterns in bright colors.
ReplyDeleteThe lined raincoat will be just the ticket.
Howlo, Grandmère! I've just discovered you, purrhaps in time to ask: Do you have room fur a smallish dog in your suitcase? I can tell that you'd be fascinating to sit and to talk with on the plane. I'd help you sniff out the best spots to visit in England. And I could ask the Queen's chauffeur to bring the dogs to tea with us. Arfully good idea, isn't this?
ReplyDeleteHope to "meet" you soon! ~ Tilin Corgi ^..^
Mary Clara is right, as always. The lined raincoat will be perfect.. Just know that it is most likely you'll cart that lining all around (wearing the raincoat probably daily sans lining) and never zip the lining in. But you'll HAVE IT, and that's worth a lot of peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you possibly have room, stick in the Cajun Reeboks, especially if they are comfortable walking. Wear them on the plane if needs must, I always wear my most heavy and/or most ungainly on the flight, especially now in these days of weight-limited luggage. Then if a tramp across the moors is suggested, you'll have the perfect shoes. If not then take BOTH pairs of athletic shoes, because after you wash the mud off one pair, well, they will not dry overnight. Trust me on this. You'll need the second pair during the drying time of the first pair.
And always remember and never forget, the best souvenirs and gifts for the friends back home can be found in the grocery store. Grocery stores RULE. All sorts of tea, your head will spin at the variety, plus right now you can get the Cadbury Easter cakes I dream of. Super yummy. And other Easter candies we can only dream of. My personal favorite is the large Milka brand eggs. And you should still be able to score the mint green Kit-Kat bars. Nothing better.
Sigh. I wish I was going, even if I still haven't quite finished all the laundry from my own trip last month. You have a wonderful marvelous time, filled with adventures and memories. I've already started looking forward to that trip report!
Winecountrydog, thanks for dropping in. I'd love to take you along with me. My dear, departed sister had a Corgi, who now lives with my brother-in-law. Her name is Zoey. She's getting old and has a few health problems herself, but she hangs in there.
ReplyDeleteTitlin, I looked at your picture, and you're a fine-looking dog. I hope that your health continues to improve.
In truth, I do not own a pair of Cajun Reeboks. My husband and sons use them for fishing, because they reflect the son, unlike the black wellies. I have a good pair of black wellies, but they are not lightweight and not the most comfortable for walking. I won't be carrying them along. I'll make do "over there" one way or another.
Sad to say, I've pretty much given up on souvenirs. It's lazy, and it's cheap, but it surely saves time and effort. Too often the folks were not especially pleased with the gifts, so I've given it up, unless I happen upon something perfect and portable for a particular person.
I'm not sure when you're leaving, so I hope I'm not too late to wish you a blessed and joyful trip.
ReplyDeleteRuth, it's not too late. Thanks for your good wishes.
ReplyDelete