rayge
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Post by rayge on Sept 6, 2023 14:17:11 GMT
On Saturday week, the 16th, I am leaving the UK for the first time in more than 40 years.
Ms Thang and her late husband owned a house in France, near Lake Geneva, and I'm going to help her clear it and get it ready for sale, something she intended to do soon after we moved to Taunton in 2019, but that has had to be postponed because, largely, of Covid. It's a huge job - her husband was a hoarder - and she had to admit defeat when she went there earlier this summer as it was simply physically too much for her.
There is no internet access there - indeed no electricity until the 19th (we will be arriving there on the 18th, having spent the weekend looking at Reims and Troyes) - so my access to the web will be restricted to occasional goes on her chromebook, using her phone as a dongle, until I fly back from Geneva early in October (she has to stay on for a while). It will be only my third flight ever, and my first without someone who knows what they're doing to show me the way.
I'm chock full of irrational fears, hate the idea of being separated from Scrap (staying with our next-door neighbours), dope (I'm not taking any through borders), and my entire life support systems for more than two weeks, and very much looking forward to being back in the UK.
I feel vulnerable and frail (although you'd be looking at me a long time before either adjective swam into view), and at times I'm frankly terrified.
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Post by souphound on Sept 6, 2023 14:41:59 GMT
I haven't traveled at all in eons either, so I feel your anxiety. Best to focus on the upsides.
For one, you'll be immersed in wonderful panorama.
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Sept 6, 2023 14:48:10 GMT
I find fear is related to anticipation, and it tends to dissipate once you're actually doing the thing you've been worried about.
I'm sure you'll enjoy at least some of the experience, Ray. I hope you do.
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Post by tory on Sept 6, 2023 15:01:40 GMT
You'll be absolutely fine. It's a staggeringly beautiful part of the world.
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rayge
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Post by rayge on Sept 6, 2023 15:13:07 GMT
I find fear is related to anticipation, and it tends to dissipate once you're actually doing the thing you've been worried about. I'm sure you'll enjoy at least some of the experience, Ray. I hope you do. I agree with your first point, but it doesn't really help me get through the next ten days . Like I said, there's nothing remotely rational about any of it: as I've said in other threads, just about the only typical sign of old age that's affected me so far is that I carry around nervousness and dread, which I can accommodate easily most of the time, but not when there's something concrete for it to seize on. And yes, I probably will 'enjoy' some, if not all, of it - after all, that's an effort of will, and I have that - but scars from previous trips, and my non-negotiable hatred of airports, will remain a problem.
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rayge
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Post by rayge on Sept 6, 2023 15:20:08 GMT
You'll be absolutely fine. It's a staggeringly beautiful part of the world. I'm looking forward to seeing and photographing Reims cathedral and mediaeval Troyes on the way, but I'm going to spend virtually a fortnight moving boxes around, packing, and making trips to the dump. It's not a holiday, not by a long chalk.
And I know I'm in the minority in this, but my landscape aesthetic has been shaped by the gentle swoops and mellow dips of southern and western England. I find mountains literally terrible, and forbidding.
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Post by Stacy Heydon on Sept 6, 2023 15:20:43 GMT
I presume you've booked the flight? Because going by train could be another option.
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Post by Reactionary Rage on Sept 6, 2023 16:04:53 GMT
Change can induce anxiety.
The best advice I can give and it's very obvious but plan things to the nth degree; book ahead, research and reduce the "unknown" factor. Turn up at the airport early and familiarise yourself. Use google maps so you know where things you might need are...bus stations, supermarkets etc. Obvious stuff really but it might help.
Maybe also swallow some hash before a journey as well (or maybe not).
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Post by Stacy Heydon on Sept 7, 2023 0:33:07 GMT
Change can induce anxiety. The best advice I can give and it's very obvious but plan things to the nth degree; book ahead, research and reduce the "unknown" factor. Turn up at the airport early and familiarise yourself. Use google maps so you know where things you might need are...bus stations, supermarkets etc. Obvious stuff really but it might help. Maybe also swallow some hash before a journey as well (or maybe not). Can't stand Google maps. Badly designed, you can't make out the roads properly.
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rayge
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Post by rayge on Sept 15, 2023 19:41:16 GMT
Back in October. Byeee!
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Post by Half Machine Lipschitz on Sept 15, 2023 19:48:00 GMT
Good luck Ray!
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Venturing
Sept 15, 2023 19:51:28 GMT
via mobile
Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Sept 15, 2023 19:51:28 GMT
Yeah - all the best, Ray!
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Sneelock
god
you're gonna break another heart
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Post by Sneelock on Sept 15, 2023 19:56:26 GMT
you got this! take some pitchers!
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Venturing
Sept 15, 2023 20:39:38 GMT
via mobile
Post by fonz on Sept 15, 2023 20:39:38 GMT
Au revoir mate
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rayge
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Post by rayge on Oct 3, 2023 16:21:09 GMT
I have survived, but am currently much diminished. Apart from anything else, lost 4kilos (9lbs, Americans) in weight in the two weeks.
There may be photos later, of Reims, Troyes, Evian and Ivoire. But I am totally knacked.
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