Travel!Squee!
Just got back to Oceanside from the desert and all the travel planning yesterday was exhausting; thus, I'm tired.
So this is just a quick post to say:
SQUEEE!
The 'rents and I have booked our flight to London (and I get more British Airways miles!). I got an email from Brighton House today, confirming our booking for six nights (and since I'm a return customer, we get a 10% discount). We already had a week booked at a time share in Cornwall (Mum and Dad cashed in some points they had or somewhat), which is what dictated our timeline. And we found a Hilton (Dad wanted to use HiltonHonors points - we got a free night!) in London for our last two nights, so we can have a little extra time in the capital and be semi-near Heathrow for our flight back to the States.
So it's officially official - I get to go Home for two weeks in November 2009! We still have to work out what Mum and Dad want to do within those two weeks, and train fares and such. But the major steps are done - flight and lodging. I told the 'rents to come up with their wish list of activities - that this is their holiday and I'm just happy to be going and getting to play Tour Guide. (My one wish for the holiday is to get a little time with my friend Mark, especially since we'll be staying in Brighton.)
And I know what you're thinking - this is the 'rents' first trip to the UK and we're not staying in London? Well, London lodging is pricey, first off (especially when you're talking about people in their 60s, who aren't willing/able to stay in some of the cheap... frankly, rundown... places I've stayed). Secondly, after they saw my photos of Brighton and Brighton House, the 'rents decided that "was the England they wanted to see." (Fine by me; I adore Brighton! And Brighton House is a marvelous value, all things considered.) So we'll be staying at the seaside and doing day trips to London, Lewes (I want another shot at seeing the castle, which should be reopened by then - it was being renovated when Mark and I tried to visit last November), etc. Cornwall will be an adventure for all of us - I've never before been that far west in the UK.
Anyway, this "quick post" has turned into a babble, so I'm off.
So this is just a quick post to say:
SQUEEE!
The 'rents and I have booked our flight to London (and I get more British Airways miles!). I got an email from Brighton House today, confirming our booking for six nights (and since I'm a return customer, we get a 10% discount). We already had a week booked at a time share in Cornwall (Mum and Dad cashed in some points they had or somewhat), which is what dictated our timeline. And we found a Hilton (Dad wanted to use HiltonHonors points - we got a free night!) in London for our last two nights, so we can have a little extra time in the capital and be semi-near Heathrow for our flight back to the States.
So it's officially official - I get to go Home for two weeks in November 2009! We still have to work out what Mum and Dad want to do within those two weeks, and train fares and such. But the major steps are done - flight and lodging. I told the 'rents to come up with their wish list of activities - that this is their holiday and I'm just happy to be going and getting to play Tour Guide. (My one wish for the holiday is to get a little time with my friend Mark, especially since we'll be staying in Brighton.)
And I know what you're thinking - this is the 'rents' first trip to the UK and we're not staying in London? Well, London lodging is pricey, first off (especially when you're talking about people in their 60s, who aren't willing/able to stay in some of the cheap... frankly, rundown... places I've stayed). Secondly, after they saw my photos of Brighton and Brighton House, the 'rents decided that "was the England they wanted to see." (Fine by me; I adore Brighton! And Brighton House is a marvelous value, all things considered.) So we'll be staying at the seaside and doing day trips to London, Lewes (I want another shot at seeing the castle, which should be reopened by then - it was being renovated when Mark and I tried to visit last November), etc. Cornwall will be an adventure for all of us - I've never before been that far west in the UK.
Anyway, this "quick post" has turned into a babble, so I'm off.