Waiting For Cornwall (2)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25887136@N00/2695880477

My sister and I grew up singing a song from the 1968 film "Oliver!" It said, in part:

In this life, one thing counts:

In the bank, large amounts!

I'm afraid these don't grow on trees,

You have to pick a pocket or two, 

You've got to pick a pocket or two, boys:

You've got to pick a pocket or two!

*Large amounts don't grow on trees:

You've got to pick a pocket or two!

-"A Pocket Or Two" from the film "Oliver!" 1968
music and lyrics, Lionel Bart, 1960

While I don't endorse the solution here, I do agree that large amounts don't grow on trees. That is why we must plan.

I know of someone (in fact, that very sister) who is leaving her home TOMORROW to go to CORNWALL. She had to plan, and in fact still is doing that, even the night before her departure, even just this minute. And planning, as you have heard here, is at least half the fun.

This sister has asked a number of questions, to which I replied as you can see below:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95672737@N00/9624179052

"How do I get a UK SIM card?"

• getting a UK SIM card: when you come off the plane, the first things you will do are go through Customs (there will be different lines for UK residents and ‘other’ residents). Then baggage. Then you will be vectored out to the main terminal where you will find a phone store inside the terminal. The one I went to was on the right hand side. Go to the counter and say, "I need a UK SIM card. Can you please insert it for me?" They will do it quickly (for 30 pounds), then hand you the USA SIM card they just removed; put this IN A SAFE PLACE. You will need it at the end of the trip. Your new phone number (UK) will be typed on the back of the SIM card packaging and you will need to take a cell phone photo of it and make it larger, to actually read it (my eyes couldn’t read it otherwise). Now you will have a record in your phone of what your new number is. Then you will be able automatically to use the phone in the UK.

"What should we purchase to travel around London?"

• Next: follow the signs to Underground. When you get to the Underground, you will see machines for purchasing either a London Day Pass, a London 7 day pass, or an Oyster Card. I bought the Oyster Card because you can use it forever and just ’top off’ when you need to, on a machine. To top off, you scan your Oyster card into the machine and press ’top off’, or whatever their term for that is, and then insert your charge card. The machine will lead you through the steps. They make it easy so that they can enjoy taking your money.

"How do we arrive at our hotel from Heathrow?"

• Then look on the wall Underground map for the tube you want to take. You may be traveling on one or more Underground lines, but it is easy to get around London in this way. Ask an official if you are uncertain. Proceed to the tube and watch for your stop as you are riding. It will help if you look it up online today, and ask Google how to get from Heathrow to your particular hotel. That will give you a head start on Thursday.

• when you check in at the hotel, be sure to ask any questions, that is what they are there for. 

• Try to stay awake until 9pm, then sleep. TAKE TYLENOL PM OR SOME OTHER PM MED!!!!! If you don’t, you will be TOAST. (I take two)

• watch for The Upper Crust sandwich/croissant shop in Victoria Station, or elsewhere. They are terrific! I love their cheese/tomato sandwich but men want meat.

• DO NOT FORGET YOUR UMBRELLA

• The food on board the plane is good, I think - especially on Virgin Atlantic. If it isn’t up to standard, eat it anyway because then you won’t be hungry as you are trying to go through customs, get baggage, get SIM cards, get Oyster cards, get on the Tube, get on the next Tube, get to your hotel, and get to your ROOM. 

And we will meet at Paddington Station! Ride the train together! Eat something from The Upper Crust! Arrive in Cornwall and be absolutely charmed and astonished!

Doesn't that sound like fun? According to the SconeLady it is the complete height of all fun, and that is as good as it gets.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/46241560@N08/15670265866

No time to edit! But I shall hope to see you along the way!

the SconeLady

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25887136@N00/2695880477">Sunset & London Eye</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95672737@N00/9624179052">London 2013 - 019</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/46241560@N08/15670265866">London (5 of 39).jpg</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)</a>