“Once a journey is designed, equipped, and put in process, a new factor enters and takes over. A trip, a safari, an exploration, is an entity, different from all other journeys. It has personality, temperament, individuality, uniqueness. A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us."
~ John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America
Three weeks to go and I've plotted routes, downloaded GPS coordinates, reserved lodging, booked flights and ferries, and purchased tickets for places that recommend doing so in advance. I've even practiced packing and traveling with only carry-on luggage. I'm done with the naysayers telling me I can't possibly see that much in so short of time, so if that's what you're thinking when you read this post--keep it to yourself. 😊 I know the geography of the places we're visiting so well that upon meeting a couple from England recently and asking them where they were from, I thought a moment and then blurted out the "point of interest" nearest them.
I'll spare you the details of my upcoming Ireland/UK trip planning (it's been an adventure in itself!) and let you follow along during the actual trip. (If you're really interested in my planning technique, check out a related previous post. http://tanyaoe.blogspot.com/2017/03/travel-planning.html) We've prioritized our "must sees", "nice to sees", and "if we have time to sees". Regions to be covered: Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Bristol (England), Cardiff (Wales), English counties of Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Oxford, London, and Scotland.
I've got maps. LOTS of maps.
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| Sites of Interest |
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| Ireland: History, Music, and Politics |
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| Bristol and Cardiff: TV shows Being Human, Doctor Who, Torchwood, + History and Druidry |
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| The English Countryside |
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| Cornwall: TV shows Poldark and Doc Martin + Miles and miles of coastline and old tin mines |
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| Oxford: History, Academia, and Friends |
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| Scotland: TV Show/Book Outlander, History, Highlands |
That's really impressive Tanya! I know what you mean by having the map memorized. That's how you develop confidence in your planning. Can't wait to read all about it. (Sending this from Düsseldorf airport as we wait for our next flight to Rome)
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