Saturday 24 May 2008

Last Minute Preparations...

I am getting so excited. The parish trip to Lourdes is very near, and I'm desperately racking my brains to see what I've forgotten.

So far, so good, I think.

The coaches have been booked. I need to put the contact numbers for the English coach company and the hotel just in case there are any last-minute glitches. I have spoken to my contact at Gatwick Airport, and she has promised that we get our own dedicated check-in, and that the seats and luggage tags will have been sorted out the day before. So that should be fairly straightforward.

That reminds me: I need to print out little cards for everyone with the flight number, time and booking references, and to print out little luggage tags to make luggage retrieval easier. Having a tag with a picture of Our Lady on it means that it's less likely to be grabbed by someone else by mistake (as happened one year!)

I've printed and collated the pilgrimage booklets - these have copies of the itinerary inside, as well as hymns and readings for the Masses, as well as the most common chants sung during the processions, and the Hail Mary in several different languages, including Latin. And I have printed out the notices for each day on headed paper so that we can post them up on the hotel noticeboard. That also has the added advantage of annoying any reps from other tour operators if they have pilgrims staying in the hotel!

On a personal level, I have my passport, my European Health Insurance Card, and my insurance documents. I also have my holiday Euros to spend on rosaries. And don't bother telling me that "Euro" is actually the correct plural. I don't care... I've got plenty of catfood in for Sylvester, and my next-door neighbour is primed and ready to make a fuss of him.

I think that's everything...

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't worry. Europe has loads of stuff in the shops.

Take a camera, Rosary and toothbrush.

gemoftheocean said...

And extra batteries. They cost the earth when you have to buy them in tourist places.

Also, have you put copies of all the things on line so that if someone (or multiple people) lose itineraries, etc. they can get an extra?

Mulier Fortis said...

Karen - I won't have anything which needs batteries. And the booklets and further copies of the itinerary will be given out as we get on the coach... and will be posted daily on the hotel noticeboard... so putting it online will be of absolutely no use to man nor beast.

Mulier Fortis said...

Hilary... the one thing I don't need to worry about is a rosary.
;-)

la mamma said...

Have a blessed time, Mac... and will you do something for me? Will you say a prayer for me at the grotto? I know you probably have a list as long as your arm but I won't take up much room, I promise! Thanks.

Mulier Fortis said...

La mamma, I will gladly pray for you at the grotto... and I'll pray for everyone who reads my little blog... but I'll pray for you by name, since you asked!
;-)

joannaB73 said...

You sound very organised - I would be having a panic attack by now! Have a blessed trip.

Elizabeth said...

Have a Holy time, please remember us in your prayers and we will remember you in ours.
Wishing you a safe journey.
God bless

Mulier Fortis said...

Elizabeth, I'll be praying for you and yours as well... and will bring you back a little Lourdes water!

BTW, is your email working? I sent you a message ages ago, and didn't get a reply...

Father John Boyle said...

Pray for my parish at the Grotto. Have a great pilgrimage.

gemoftheocean said...

Mac, "famous last words." :-D

Ttony said...

Make a note of your passport number, driving licence number, European health card number, driving licence number (etc etc etc) and give it to another pilgrim to mind for you. Offer to do the same for any of them.

Please remember me and mine at the Grotto.

Elizabeth said...

thank you for the Holy Water, I seem to be getting through gallons of it. God Bless and Bon Voyage

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