In the land of modern technology, there are certain comforts that I have grown used to having when I travel. At the last minute, I elected not to bring my laptop computer. This means that I don't have the usual means of blogging, journaling, or entertaining myself with photo editing, scrap booking and the like. I am already reliant on other people's technology, even to write this blog. Internet cafes are going to be my friend, I can tell.
The lack of technology has already caused a few glitches, so for my North American friends, here are some critical things I wish I had known. First, print off a copy of anything that you think you might need from you emails. Sleep on the plane. I couldn't and I am still messed up time wise. On landing, go to that kiosk thing in the airport and spend the money on a SIM card for your devise, unless you are with blackberry and then that won't work. My phone is still dead to me so I now have a perfectly good spy phone, aka a burn phone. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the number is. That will be a tomorrow project.
Why was this an issue? Well, the car rental place gives you a very basic map that doesn't list all the places. It is very easy to get lost. Also, we were very badly delayed on landing etc and therefore were running very late. We had no means of letting anyone know. The phone boxes seem to be largely out of service here too. Add to this, we were driving through rivers running down roadsides, especially in Midhurst. That village had folks in thick wellingtons poking at drains, desperately trying to get rid of some water. The car got lost as well. Twice. I had nothing to do with it.
Finally, we reached Bognor. It officially has the hardest to find tourist information booth. We were all so tired, hungry and desperately needing to sleep. We found the bank, and finally found tourist info on foot. Got directions and discovered that the B and B had been passed by twice. However, they were flummoxed as they didn't remember our booking and I was stunned as the proprietress looked just like my dads cousin. They were great and gave all sorts of advice on how to solve our technical difficulties. Back into town we trekked to the car phone shop and acquired the SIM card and my burn phone. Now, if I had the number, you could find me. Hahaha.
Our first day was spent with family. There has been lunch at the manor nursery and playtime at the playing fields in North Mundham. There were horses that were persuaded to have a chat and weather that decided to let some sunshine peek through. The little cousins ran amok while the adults chatted and caught up on all the news. English tea followed at my aunts, while dinner followed in Bognor. We had better be more active tomorrow. I feel like all we have done is eat. The children think it is brilliant. However, we will have to see what the weather holds.
And if the body clock would switch around....I have bright eyes staring at me and it is 4 am. Back to bed for me I suppose, I should set a good example. Night.
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