Heathrow to Dover

After a night of limited rest we landed at Heathrow and began the long walk from the arrival gate to customs and baggage claim.  I was reminded how important it is to take your dream vacation while you are still physically able.  Travel is not for the faint of heart.

When I was with my sisters in Vienna several years ago Edwina purchased a new sim card and data plan for her iPhone. Even though I am a couple of years younger than she that was too high tech for me at the time. Now I understand what she was doing and why.

It was difficult to find the SIM Local shop in the airport near arrivals, so I almost gave up and purchased from a vending machine. Fortunately I persevered. A man came into the shop while I was there, saying the machine had taken his money but didn’t deliver the goods. Sound familiar?

I caught a shuttle to Enterprise, with whom I had made arrangements to rent a vehicle.  Fortunately they had one with a GPS and the young man who was serving me entered the postal code of my destination saying it pinpoints the exact address, unlike in Canada where the postal code is less specific. 

Unfortunately he did not select audio, and by the time that was discovered there was no opportunity to pull over and adjust it. As a result, I was challenged to keep my eye on the GPS screen while remembering how to drive in the UK. 

There were a few motorists who blew their horn as they zoomed by me. It soon occurred to me that the rules of the road must be opposite those in North America.  Here the far-right lane is for faster traffic, while at home that is the lane for slower traffic. 

I was definitely driving slower because I was referring to the GPS while looking for speed limit signs.  I eventually discovered that the appropriate speed limit is displayed on the car dashboard at all times!  Very useful.

There was a frightening moment when I nodded off and swerved into the lane to my left. Fortunately it was empty. I am very thankful for guardian angels.

I arrived at Dover around 4 pm and after lugging my baggage to my hotel room, I fell into bed exhausted and looking forward to tomorrow.