Jan 9
Under Threat
Carol has disappeared out to Mass. I’m left under orders to “start on my wardrobe”. This is part of the preparation for our Caribbean holiday starting on the 19th. Earlier this year Carol sussed out that I was the proud owner of only two pairs of shorts, one of which she immediately condemned to the bin – not sure why. Something about “too small”? Anyway, being the e-bay devotee that she is, I now have 14! pairs of shorts !!!! Now I am confused by this sudden threat of exposing my knobblies to the world. I hope that the natives of Jamaica et al are suitably prepared for the onslaught of white skinny legs. Unfortunately she also bought numerous loose fitting holiday type shirts. Now, I maintain that these are all Indian cotton, and have shrunk considerably in the wash. However, the opposing opinion is that I have expanded. Hmm
While I cannot wait to escape these Arctic conditions, I am unsure how we make the transition from multi-layered Winter thermals, to thin Summer “Brit-Tourist” garb? Apparently lockers are not provided at Heathrow, and if they were, at what point would you choose to change? Wait for you departure to be announced, dive into the loos, and then an Olympian sprint to the plane? Option two, change on the plane? 300+ passengers changing in the aisle ? I need advice from Chris and Irina on this, they are the one’s with the experience of moving from one climate to another. Anyone else got any ideas??
Carol has returned. Bribe in hand (a G&T) which she refuses to give to me – but has taken upstairs. oh dear, lots of bumping in the bedroom. I’d better find out what is being condemned from my family heirlooms…..
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Wow, you’re going to the Carribean? Bet you both can’t wait. You know if you ever fancy visiting Australia for another winter break you would both be more than welcome to stay with Mat and I (or any other time of year of course). Our rainy xmas seems to be over and this weekend has been fabulous requiring trips to the beach morning and evening.
Anyway, re. your apparel dilemma; I first flew to oz in mid-Nov so it wasn’t quite as extreme as your difference is going to be but I put on lots of layers. This was partly because of the cold and partly because it was a way of taking more clothes with me. Anyway, personally I find any plane I’ve been on to be a bit on the nippy side due to the air-con, especially if you’re travelling for any length of time and go to sleep because your body shuts down a bit. When I arrived in Oz I looked a bit rediculous stepping out into 30+ degree heat wearing a million jumpers under a fleece, my favourite multi-layered skirt and walking boots. However, as long as you haven’t got far to travel to your hotel you can just strip off layers and suffer the rest until you get there.
I honestly can’t remember much about what I did with my multiple layers due to seeing Mat again finally. I know he picked me up on public transport and we had to catch various trains to get back to where we were staying. I think I must have stuffed them into my 125L bergen which somehow I managed to get on the plane as hand luggage!
In summary, imo it’s better to be too hot and able to take some clothes off than be freezing. I hope you have a fab time
I had a wonderful image of you meeting Mat, and gradually stripping off on public transport ! Not sure that my creaky old body would be so acceptable to the locals.
Given that the planes are flying from Heathrow by then, we head for Charlestown USA first, then transfer to a flight for Puerto Rico. Four days in a hotel, which Carol has managed to get upgraded for free – even a jacuzzi on the balcony – the downside being that we have to spend one morning listening to a time-share pitch. Then on to the cruise ship and seven islands. Carol has done all this by buying vouchers on e-bay, and getting the cost of this holiday at a fraction of the original price! She has even bought more cruise vouchers – we have not decided where we might go next – for £90 !!!!! How cool is that?!
Oz, New Zealand, Argentina, Kazakhstan, China and the world at large are on our itinerary.
I’ll take you advice about the multi-layered approach, especially if I can get the other passengers on the plane to hum along to the tune of “The Stripper”.
I’ve just been corrected by “‘Er indoors”. We are flying via Philadelphia, which is considerably colder that here. Revised plan. Get on plane, put on several more layers of clothes. Hmm, American security may be even more suspicious of Michelin man’s arrival? Puerto Rico’s security staff may be even more puzzled. What a dilemma?!