Planning the trip

 Planning

We have just over three weeks to go until we fly out.  June and I are meeting for lunch on Friday to review our plans.  She is a meticulous planner, and has some excellent questions about phone coverage and VPNs that I don't know the answer to.  I'd assumed my airalo eSIM would provide phone calls as well as data, but it doesn't, so we will need to communicate via WhatsApp and email.  So how do we call our B&B hosts if we're running late?

I've just discovered an app called Timeshifter that helps manage jet lag on long flights.  It prescribes, for a few days before we fly out and during the flight, when to expose yourself to bright light and when to avoid bright light; and when to nap and when to sleep.  I'm going to try it out.  I've added a sleep mask to the packing list.

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/travel/roam/2024/03/15/jet-lag-app-timeshifter

Society of Australian Genealogists ran a webinar on family history touring which had useful tips:

  • Make contact with locals, e.g., Ireland Reaching Out; local Facebook pages, DNA matches - well in advance
  • Consider hiring a local genealogist as a guide
  • Order an eSIM for local mobile data (airalo); use WhatsApp or email to communicate, rather than phone
  • Prepare in advance when visiting archives and libraries
    • Check first to see what records they have and plan accordingly
    • Contact them in advance to make an appointment
    • Check opening hours
    • Check rules what you can bring with you, cost of photocopying, etc
  • Don’t try to drive in London - pick up your car in a regional town
  • Get an Oyster card for London transport
  • Keep a diary (paper or electronic)
  • Strong shoes and long pants for visiting cemeteries
  • Take photos and back them up
  • Try the local post office and the local pub to track down descendants still living in the village
  • Don’t take too many clothes - you can always buy from op shops when you get there
  • Take small gifts 
  • Remember to tell your bank before your travel overseas so they don’t block credit card transactions 
  • Have a second travel card loaded with local currency
  • Don’t carry all your cards in one wallet, in case you lose it.



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