Clothing and Weather -
The weather will be cool--and hopefully, mostly sunny. Bring light jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters and rainwear. Comfortable clothes and shoes. Business casual for theatre. Pack light! Leave room in your luggage for "things" you'll be bringing back.
Laptops -
It's not necessary to bring your laptop for course assignments, but you may wish to have it along. The travel segment begins during Week Two of the course; there are a couple of assignments due in Week Two--which are to be completed and posted (or sent) before you leave for the trip. Our hotels will have facilities for checking email.
Luggage -
- One large suitcase (means "it's too big for the overhead compartment")
- One small suitcase (means "it will fit into the overhead compartment")
- One small carry on (means "something the size of a computer bag")
Be sure you are aware of Continental Airlines' fees for checked luggage.
Meeting in the Newark Airport -
- Each of us is responsible for checking in and clearing immigration an hour prior to departure time .
- We will "find" each other in the Board Area at the assigned departure gate.
- Dr. Lowe and Dr. Clugston (wearing blue Ashford University jackets) will have name tags and travel packets for everyone!
Finding our Motor Coach in Manchester -
- Each of us is responsible for claiming our luggage and clearing customs. Luggage carts will be available in the baggage claim area, without charge.
- Our motor coach host, Andrew Herd, (carrying an Ashford University sign) w ill be waiting for us as we exit the customs area into the terminal. We will gather there until everyone is "with us"! Our bus will be waiting.
Our First few Hours in the UK -
- We arrive "early in the morning"--whether or not we're ready for a new day!
- But, Here Comes the Sun... and soon we're traveling down Abbey Road... passing Strawberry Fields... stopping at the Beattles Cavern for some sightseeing.
- In other words, we're traveling through Liverpool on the way to our hotel, with views of the city from our motor coach, a walk along the waterfront--and lunch!
Currency Exchange - With the current exchange rate (which fluctuates daily), 1 British pound = 1.63 U.S. dollars. Cash machines are readily available in London. Major credit cards can be used for most transactions.
Calling the USA from the UK -
- Dial 011
- + area code
- + phone number
- Be sure to contact your cell phone company to have your phone service adjusted for sending and receiving international calls, if you don't have this feature activated. And to find out the cost per minute for calling!
Calling the UK from the USA and Canada -
- Dial 011
- +44 (country code)
- +area code (2-5 digits)
- +phone number (4-8 digits) Usually area code and phones number = 10 digits in the UK.
Shopping in London - Our motor coach host, Andrew Herd, will have additional information on shopping sites. We 've done our part by choosing a London hotel location just two tube stops from Harrods. Covent Garden, once London's fruit, vegetable and flower market (made famous by George Bernard Shaw's Eliza Doolittle) has delightful boutiques and restaurants.
Discussion Sessions Five formal sessions (45-60 minutes each) are built into the itinerary to discuss designated topics related to ENG 388: Literary and Historical Developments in 19th Century England. Particular readings related to each topic are identified in the Student Guide. Each hotel location will provide us with a meeting room.
We've scheduled morning sessions--which seems best, given our travel schedule. The Travel Cards (Non-Peek) we're using in London are not valid before 9:30 am. So, by ending our discussion at 10:00 am, we allowing for remainder of the day and evening for use of the Travel Card and individual explorations in the city.
Itinerary Comments - Sunday, September 19 --- Because the Kelham Island Museum does not open until 11:00 am, our time there will need to be short; lunch will be a "fitted in" one, rather than a "leisurely one."
Monday, September 20 ---This is our longest travel day! We will depart from Stratford at 7:45 am in order to have time for a brunch stop and other brief stops in picturesque Costswolds towns on our way to Dorchester.
