Prosperous & Creative Soul & MFW Year 3

savingholmes

Thanks Lucielle, KK and Blackcats

You're right - once when I was swimming I was intimidated about how fast a person was... Turned out she was a commonwealth games competitor... Yes I seem to have the knack of unconsciously comparing myself to someone with the highest visible talent... Never mind. At least I know now.

Today and yesterday I worked hard - so in its own way although I didn't fit in a proper lunch today it was good to feel useful and needed. It made me feel better about the days when I can take it easier. 

I managed some Italian practice this evening.

Debating my best travel options to Gatwick towards the back end of August. I appreciate I'm way over thinking it but it is how my brain works.

• I've applied for a disabled person's railcard. Apparently that can then get me other useful discounts too. Waiting for it to get approved. 
• Going by train would leave my car on the drive so it feels like my house would be more secure. I would then also have more £ left to spend.
• I don't like the amount of changes I'd need to do though - if I went to the airport by train - and worse I'm returning on a Friday. It looks like it would be £80 if I did off peak return but closer to £240 if I wanted anytime.
• Another option could be to go by train for most of it - but take a taxi to a better train station at the start that I am more familiar with (if fixed price) to reduce stress and waiting times and then have a more direct train. That return could be closer to £60 each way so £120 plus the cost of the train. 
  
• I'm still debating driving to Gatwick especially as on the way there I have an overnight hotel booked the night before. Looks like I could get valet parking for £150ish with possible cashback. I'd probably have to pay £20 to park at the hotel while there too plus the fuel £ each way. 
• Or I could drive half way to a relative's house and then get a taxi booking from and to there return for around £350 plus fuel £. The cost of airport transfer from here I think was almost double that.
  

I know logic says my original instinct to go by train was the correct one - but I'm feeling huge resistance. I could perhaps try travelling the first leg of the journey ahead of time to reduce the fear factor. That place is pretty so could be useful to try going there by public transport. That needs to be my first step. Otherwise I risk blowing my holiday budget out of the water.

I already know I can get from Gatwick to the hotel for about £8 each way and there are set times the minibus runs. 

For some reason the idea of using the train in Italy feels less scary - perhaps because they were so empty last time when I went with someone else and there are less changes and I know where they are. I won't have been to the train station near the airport and then into the nearest town but online suggests it takes about 10 minutes. I have been to the one where I have to change to get a bus and it is a direct train to there. I've also given myself a recovery day in Italy immediately after my flight - where yes I want to see the local town but I can travel at my leisure the following day to the lake hotel. Similarly I've given myself a night in the airport hotel on the way back and have a nicer timed flight so it should be simple enough to get to the airport.

I need to make myself stick with the train option to preserve holiday spends... Wish me luck!

maggiem

Another alternative might be National Express. We’ve used the bus to travel to Heathrow and it worked well. Just a thought. 

jwil

Good luck!  I think the train is a good option, and you are travelling down the day before so will have plenty of time.  I was also going to suggest a coach too as an option to look into.

SandyShores

My preferred option for travel is to drive up the afternoon before and stay right by the airport in a hotel that does valet parking.  Hand over the car to the hotel and then get a taxi in the evening for a nice meal somewhere.  In the morning its a short taxi to the airport and on return the hotel will bring the car to you in arrivals so you can then get on your way home with no delay (saves about half an hour on the option where you have to go and get your car).  It wasn't a cheap option, and that was a few years ago, but I always felt my holiday then started the evening before.  

savingholmes

Thanks Sandy, Jwil and Maggiem.

Yesterday I went to an outdoor pool on way back from work. Too busy and noisy for me but very sunny. 

There is a bus option part way so could work but I think I'd feel claustrophobic particularly if hot, only one toilet. Someone sat next to me. Even discussed it in counselling today. Will keep pondering. Booked 3 more weekly sessions and then I'll be on holiday...

Work have agreed to pay for an £840 course if I book it ASAP so hopefully doing that Monday. Will then do it when time allows. Possibly the week before my holiday. I've blagged a buy one get one free course on something I have always wanted to do and got the same deal for a colleague. If I do lose my job these courses should help protect me and may even get me more money. The second course is online only plus exam but I have 12 months to do that one in.

Did some work on CV and read what I submitted for my job evaluation.  I'd hire me. It boosted my confidence. Did some other work as well. My CV still needs more work. I paid £95 for a membership yesterday and did my first hour of CPD. If I maintain it shouldn't need to do exam in that one again. Otherwise you have to do recertification which is a pain. I can reclaim it.

Went and collected prescriptions at lunchtime.  So all stocked up again. Asked chemist to order one I forgot and will pick that up next time. I'll have to order my next lot early as I'll be away when it's next due. 

I may be able to get a student card so will look into that too. As you can probably tell I'm a whirlwind of activity.  Trying to stay busy so I don't overthink especially given there are so many unknowns.

I wanted to take some plants in pots as gift to DS and his partner. I only started after 9pm and it took me a couple of hours. I emptied compost out of car etc. Ended up doing a few other garden jobs. At least I got some use from outside lights.

Also done a bit of drawing and more Italian. On around 800 words now and on a 26 day streak.

Hope you are all good. Completely behind on diaries. Sorry. Wish you all well.

jwil

It's good that you are taking positive action at work.  It helps give a semblance of control over a tricky situation.

Have a lovely time with DS

doingitanyway

Swimming outdoors sounds nice, but yes, quite crowded at this time of year.
Well done for working on your CV... I liked 'I'd hire me" 

TallGirl

airport travel is a headache and expensive. I would take the least stressful option even if it costs more as you had so much stress last time. Hope you work out what’s best for you. 

Well done on the CV. 

Me_v_The_Mortgage_Mountain

I'm with SandyShores and TallGirl, make the travel to the airport as stressfree as possible. 

The last couple of holidays we have had really early flights so have stayed at the airport hotel the night before, done the twilight check in and just strolled over at a far more reasonable time the next morning, no bags to check so no queuing and a much more civilised start to the holiday.  We just treat is as and extra part of the holiday.  Plus, through driving up and parking the evening before there was no pressure on time, if we got delayed for any reason it wasn't going to make us stress about missing our flight.

Of course this does also come down to budgets but if you can find an affordable solution I say do it.

MvTMM

savingholmes

Thanks Jwil, TG, DIA and MvMM

Leaning towards driving. Had already booked airport hotel. 

Had a long drive but the lovely time with DS and his partner. Had a meal out. Then DS drove us to this bay for a walk and to watch the sunset. Then we played a game when we got back to the flat.