The Carry-on

I've already been having anxiety about international travel, checking a bag, waiting at the luggage carousel, going through security and customs on either end. So, to expedite the process I thought I'd only bring a carry-on and a smaller second bag. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong.

An afternoon scrounging through the luggage departments of three local 'discount' stores yielded about six different sized rolling bags tagged 'carry-on'...now obviously they can't all be acceptable, so after comparing, measuring, cursing, I returned home empty handed. When I searched online I discovered that there are different regulations for domestic and international flights and even differences among carriers! And guidelines have been changed just this year to boot. How can you possibly choose? It seems a crap-shoot and that even if you buy what you think is within the guidelines, you may be pulled from the line and subjected to the dreaded baggage sizer; if the bag won't fit, you must check it.

Last year I spent an obscene amount of money on a feather-light Lipault bag to replace my 20 year old, heavy tapestry suitcase, but at 25", it must be checked. Hence my quest for a carry-on. When I was in England last fall I bought a sweet Cath Kidston bag and am hoping between that and a roller I won't need to check a bag this time around. Looking online I also ascertained that there are different 'generations' of bags that, for all intents and purposes, look identical. One must carefully scrutinize all options for the latest generation that will adhere to the latest, more rigid guidelines.

I had resigned myself to limiting my clothing to what would fit in a 24" bag and had nearly convinced myself it was feasible. Now I'm faced with the prospect of stuffing three pairs of shoes, five pairs of pants, five shirts, undies, pjs, socks, a hoodie, sundries and toiletries in a bag that measures 20"x9"x14". In the end I did order a bag online, but only because there was no tax, no shipping and no return shipping. I suspect upon its arrival I'll take one look at the meager interior and promptly stuff it back in its returnable box. At least I'll know it will fit in that.

An Offer I Can't Refuse

An English friend has made a ridiculously generous offer I can't refuse. I can stay in her London home while she's here in the States. The possibility of months with a British postcode makes me blind with joy. But, and isn't there always a but, reality slams me as I can't possibly leave my three indoor cats for such an extended time.

Non cat people don't know how attached cats are to their people-never mind how attached we are to them. They don't like change (hmmm, have an ex like that) and much prefer to be in familiar surroundings following a routine-the basic eat, nap, eat, nap, get into mischief, nap, eat regimen to which most cats adhere. Unless I can find a dependable live-in pet sitter, I must cobble together care relying on friends, other cat fanciers, and some paid help. The longest the boys have been left on their own were three weeks and that was only due to an unexpected stay in a hospital during a visit back home (which will be New York till my dying breath, regardless of where I live). Yes, they survived, but it was a difficult re-entry for us all.

So, I began to try on lengths of travel to the UK starting with eight weeks. The trip was whittled away week by week until I comfortably settled on five weeks, but when the time came to click that "confirm" button for my flights, four weeks was what I managed. Four weeks. Still, it will be my longest time in the UK on a single trip, ever. By my second week of fantasizing I knew there won't be time even in a month to visit Cornwall, Wales, Liverpool, Manchester, Ireland or Scotland-all on my bucket list. Forget about taking the Chunnel to Paris or Bruges for a few days.

I've started a "note" and add to it every time I think of a pub, shop, town, restaurant, museum, park, bakery, market I want to revisit or see for the first time. Seven weeks out from my trip and I've already accumulated about 36 items on my list, many of them day trips out from London, and possibly a few overnights. Clearly I won't be able to do all these 'local' things, even in a month. But, here's one-the Grenadier Pub.