New York, New York - May/June 2016 - Day 0, Pre-Travel Day

**Erial** · 5 Apr 17, 05:20 PM

New York, New York
Friday 27th May 2016
Day 0 - Pre-Travel Day

Previous: Intros

So, today was finally pre-travel day.

Fortunately, the kids were at school and Jeff was at work until lunch time and so I could spend the morning do the last bit of packing on my own. Jeff and I very, very rarely fall out or disagree. That is, until it comes to packing!

For some reason he totally stresses me out about it. I think it’s because he just gathers together a few shorts and t-shirts and last minute and thinks that’s all there is to the packing. Whereas I’ve spent weeks making sure the kids summer clothes still fit them, buying bits where need be, making sure we’ve got the toiletries, finding cameras, chargers, the itineraries, the tickets etc etc. But Jeff thinks packing is a 5 minute job! :angry:

So by the time Jeff got home from work we were all packed so he could then faff about with emptying the bins and the fridge etc. We picked the kids up from school and my mum popped around to say goodbye. We miss her and she misses us so much when we go away. She lives just around the corner from us and we see her most days as she does the school run for me on the days I work. So, not seeing us for a week is a long time for her. Izzy is particularly close to my mum (she’s like my mum’s mini-me) and really misses her when we’re away. We did give her the option of coming with us but she really doesn’t fancy New York!

Goodbyes all done, we soon set off for Manchester airport. We live about 50 minutes from the airport but we always like to stay at an airport hotel the night before, particularly for a morning flight. I’m always totally paranoid that if I left home on the morning of the flight I’d be stuck in horrendous traffic and miss it! Plus staying at the airport the night before makes the holiday last that little bit longer!

Our hotel of choice at Manchester airport is the Clayton Hotel (formerly Bewleys). It’s in a great location and we love their park and fly. The park and fly worked out at just £20 more than an overnight stay. £20 for a week’s parking is pretty good in my book. You just park in the temporary bays outside the hotel drop the keys off at reception and your car is back waiting there for you when you get back!

When we checked in we booked our shuttle bus for 6:30am. The shuttle bus really just takes you across the road and only takes 2 minutes but as you’ve got to cross a busy dual carriageway you can’t really walk it without taking your life into your own hands!

We had dinner in the hotel restaurant and the food is always good here. Izzy has previously declared that they do the best pizza in the world! Unfortunately, they had removed pizza from their menu but we promised to get her some in New York ad she enjoyed the chicken strips she had instead!

After dinner we chilled in the room watching TV but only for a short while. We needed an early night as the alarm was set for 5:30am!

Next: Travel Day

Thanks for reading.
Claire
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Bubble123 · 9 Apr 17, 01:42 PM

Sounds like you're off to a good start!

disney owl · 9 Apr 17, 07:03 PM

DH stresses me out over packing too! Now the kids are all grown & it's just the 2 of us I still find it really stressful!

**Erial** · 9 Apr 17, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Bubble123

Sounds like you're off to a good start!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by disney owl

DH stresses me out over packing too! Now the kids are all grown & it's just the 2 of us I still find it really stressful!

It's become a bit of a standing joke in the family. We have the 's' word (suitcases) and the 'p' word (packing)!

Thanks for reading.

Claire
x

Rac20 · 9 Jul 17, 07:44 AM

Just discovered your trip report😊
We also live about 50 mins from Manchester Airport and last year we stayed st the Clayton. It was a great way to start the holiday- you are right- it definitely feels like the holiday has begun. I hate waiting around for travel day so by staying at a hotel it brings it forward just that little bit! 😉

Looking forward to reading the rest.👍

**Erial** · 25 Jul 17, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Rac20

Just discovered your trip report😊
We also live about 50 mins from Manchester Airport and last year we stayed st the Clayton. It was a great way to start the holiday- you are right- it definitely feels like the holiday has begun. I hate waiting around for travel day so by staying at a hotel it brings it forward just that little bit! 😉

Looking forward to reading the rest.👍

Ah yes, we love the Clayton. We're back there in 2 weeks time and then I really will be 'on holiday'!

Thank you for reading.
Claire
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