It is almost time!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I found our car rental thru Europecar for 8 days, automatic and different pick-up and drop-off airports for USD306.45.
I hope I don't need an international driver's license???

I have received a very nice welcome packet from Stouts Hill. I must fill in a few things and mail back.

Do you think if I am landing via Ryan Air at Gatwick 14:30 that we will actually get there by 18:00? I hope so as that is when the office closes!

I can also pre-order a few grocery items and meal choices. This may be the longest Saturday of our lives. So a ready dinner and breakfast items would be welcome.
Does your butter come in sticks? Is it lightly salted? and what do they mean on bread size and type?

I like half&half for my coffee. Do you have that? or should I just order whole milk.

I still have to make reservations for the Shannon Raddison for the night before we come home.

Keith are you dry? Do you have water? and how should we contact each other so I can buy you a pint?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

You must be so excited!!!!! You're gonna have a great time!!!!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Lawren

and what do they mean on bread size and type?

I'm not sure, but when we were in Europe, we were asked if we wanted bread, and then charged for it.....pp, etc. So, maybe that's what they mean. We also paid for water, everywhere we went. Some places, the water was more than the wine, and beer. OK by me, I just drank the wine.

Enjoy!!!!

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

I'm not sure, but when we were in Europe, we were asked if we wanted bread, and then charged for it.....pp, etc. So, maybe that's what they mean. We also paid for water, everywhere we went. Some places, the water was more than the wine, and beer. OK by me, I just drank the wine.

Enjoy!!!!

They charge for bread in London, but not so much in Paris or Brussels--just thinking of places I can remember. In London restaurants, EVERYTHING is a la carte, even rice and tea in a Chinese restaurant. A couple of restaurants in London did charge for tap water, too. Some places insist you take bottled water, and in the US we think that's just for profit, but in some places in Europe the tap water tastes really funky so the bottled water is almost a necessity.

There's really no way to tell if the place is going to charge for things we take for granted. You might as well ask upfront.

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

Oh Lawren. I am so excited for you. It sounds wonderful. As to the international drivers license, I'm sure that AAA told me that all they do is provide non-English speaking countries proof that you have a valid license. In other words, a blatant money grab and unnecessary.

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Lawren, I would ask for whole milk in the UK. The milk should be the fresh stuff while the half & half is sometimes the ultrapasteurized shelf-stable kind, like Parmalat. You might want to ask about that.

If it's NOT the shelf-stable stuff, the half & half will be delish (I can't remember if they call it half and half). The UK has unbelievable dairy products, about a zillion different kinds of cream, double cream, single cream, whipping cream, you name it, fantastic yogurt and cheese, too.

Careful of the ice cream, though--for some reason they don't usually do that too well unless you get a super-premium brand or a US-style brand.

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Your rental has an automatic? That great.

Every car we saw in Paris was a stick. I think that Hertz said stick only but since it wasn't a big deal I didn't worry about it.

Have a great trip.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

I'm SOOO excited for you!
Try some scones with devon or clotted cream and strawberry jam, very nice.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Lawren, can they leave the key out in a late check-in box if you run late?

We often do that here in Oz as the offices close early here.


How exciting. Have a wonderful trip. You'll be very missed!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Your rental has an automatic? That great.

Every car we saw in Paris was a stick. I think that Hertz said stick only but since it wasn't a big deal I didn't worry about it.

Have a great trip.

Bill I can drive a stick but DH cannot. I've been away from manual shifting on a regular basis for such a long time that I figured an automatic would be the wise choice to drive on the left. Many islands we drive on the left too but it doesn't take a gazillion hours to get to them.

Automatics are a at a premium cost.

For that price I'll take it!

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

It's hard to drive a stick on the opposite side anyway...especially when you're already trying to navigate on the opposite side of the road.

Have a great time Lawren! I'm jealous! Is your son going too?

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Have a great time L2.....how exciting. Be safe and have a blast.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Thanks guys I am very excited about this one. Can't believe it is almost time to go. The place certainly doesn't look shabby: Stouts Hill Cotswold Timeshare - Home Page

The bread question... I guess I'd order a loaf, sliced, but do they have like a whole grain white? DH is way fussy about food.

They'll know for sure we are american tourists when I send this information sheet back asking for a stick of salted butter, half dozen eggs and a loaf of white bread!

Still need to get an idea of something you can do nowhere else for DS's birthday.

The resort is 2 hours west of London and I certainly hope we'll go in at least twice.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Lawren....It really looks beautiful. Hard to beat that castle look. Enjoy!!!

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Thanks guys I am very excited about this one. Can't believe it is almost time to go. The place certainly doesn't look shabby: Stouts Hill Cotswold Timeshare - Home Page

The bread question... I guess I'd order a loaf, sliced, but do they have like a whole grain white? DH is way fussy about food.

They'll know for sure we are american tourists when I send this information sheet back asking for a stick of salted butter, half dozen eggs and a loaf of white bread!

Regarding the bread...they probably have white or whole wheat. Whole grain white is a new thing here, I'm thinking that it won't be commonly available there yet. (It's not all that common here, either, is it?)

The butter will probably be fantastic and the white bread will probably be yummy, too. We ate tons of bread and butter the summer we lived in London. And when we went in February, too. The fruit and vegetables are often much more flavorful than ours. This is a great time of year to go!

The place looks beautiful! Have a great time.