It's not really fair to put this in Gripes and Grouches I suppose as it is no one's fault as such, but it makes me grouchy!
I have an American friend, MC, who lives in Brooklyn. We met online many years ago.
I have met her many times, and her husband almost as many. She loves Britain and all things British,and watches all the UK TV she can. Her UK friends are very important to her. She often comes to London (One year she came 3 times as her son was doing a years university there) Sometimes just OH and I we meet up, but usually mutual friends join us. They all came to York a few years ago, which was lovely.
We stayed with her when we went to NY six years ago.
Every time she and OH come to Europe they have a couple of days in London first, to meet up with UK friends. OH and I and 2 ladies from near Portsmouth always go, although these ladies rarely stay overnight now. There is lady from Germany who comes as often as she can. The one who actually lives in London rarely comes any more. Last time she said she was and some 'emergency' none of us believed in came up and the very last minute. As we all sat in the restaurant she had chosen, that none of us had fancied!!
We were all due to meet up in London on the weekend of May 17th. We said we would go for the whole weekend, and I am not sure what the other's plans are yet. The Portsmouth ladies drive up, so it's not as important for them as us to make plans ahead.
To be able to afford to go to London at all we have to book the cheaper tickets 12 weeks before travel.
This date has passed and I have booked our train tickets.
Yesterday MC sent a group message saying she is having knee problems (she is in her 70's and has had knee ops in the past) and may have to have a operation. She doesn't know for certain yet and won't for few weeks, but if she does she will cancel the UK trip. She was telling us so we wouldn't make plans and book. Too late!
I am just so thankful we haven't booked the Premier Inn yet. I did look but decided to wait as it is so expensive.
OH and I have a one night weekend in London booked in a couple of weeks time. We booked this as when MC comes we all just sit and talk etc (a bit like Brum!) so the fact that we are in London is immaterial really we never see anything. So, we really don't need to go again in May and can't afford to as we go on holiday in June. We make the effort to see our friends, but we wouldn't be doing this otherwise.
So, now we are, if MC cancels her trip, left with 2 train tickets we cannot return. But if we go to London then we waste even more money. Over £240 for the hotel, plus meals etc. It makes more sense to lose the £78 train fares. I just wish she had mentioned this a couple of weeks ago!
I have an American friend, MC, who lives in Brooklyn. We met online many years ago.
I have met her many times, and her husband almost as many. She loves Britain and all things British,and watches all the UK TV she can. Her UK friends are very important to her. She often comes to London (One year she came 3 times as her son was doing a years university there) Sometimes just OH and I we meet up, but usually mutual friends join us. They all came to York a few years ago, which was lovely.
We stayed with her when we went to NY six years ago.
Every time she and OH come to Europe they have a couple of days in London first, to meet up with UK friends. OH and I and 2 ladies from near Portsmouth always go, although these ladies rarely stay overnight now. There is lady from Germany who comes as often as she can. The one who actually lives in London rarely comes any more. Last time she said she was and some 'emergency' none of us believed in came up and the very last minute. As we all sat in the restaurant she had chosen, that none of us had fancied!!
We were all due to meet up in London on the weekend of May 17th. We said we would go for the whole weekend, and I am not sure what the other's plans are yet. The Portsmouth ladies drive up, so it's not as important for them as us to make plans ahead.
To be able to afford to go to London at all we have to book the cheaper tickets 12 weeks before travel.
This date has passed and I have booked our train tickets.
Yesterday MC sent a group message saying she is having knee problems (she is in her 70's and has had knee ops in the past) and may have to have a operation. She doesn't know for certain yet and won't for few weeks, but if she does she will cancel the UK trip. She was telling us so we wouldn't make plans and book. Too late!
I am just so thankful we haven't booked the Premier Inn yet. I did look but decided to wait as it is so expensive.
OH and I have a one night weekend in London booked in a couple of weeks time. We booked this as when MC comes we all just sit and talk etc (a bit like Brum!) so the fact that we are in London is immaterial really we never see anything. So, we really don't need to go again in May and can't afford to as we go on holiday in June. We make the effort to see our friends, but we wouldn't be doing this otherwise.
So, now we are, if MC cancels her trip, left with 2 train tickets we cannot return. But if we go to London then we waste even more money. Over £240 for the hotel, plus meals etc. It makes more sense to lose the £78 train fares. I just wish she had mentioned this a couple of weeks ago!
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