random observations from the trip

While I have tried to keep a diary of things we've done, there are always a few random thoughts or observations that really deserve their own space and time.....So here goes....

• All rental car agencies employ foreigners - this makes communication a challenge when you are jet lagged!
• down in Cornwall, there is a gate with 'Koombana' on it - they have got to be Australian. If it wasn't so early in the morning, I would have knocked on their door. Having lived in 'Koombana' suburb in Hedland and having 'Koombana' beach here in Bunbury, I want to know why they are claiming the name for their gate. 
• don't prebook accommodation in Cornwall - you will get it much cheaper asking at the door.
• In England - it is very cool to carry a brolly. I have never seen so many young men trot about with a brolly under their arm. 
• Mr Guinness, of the world famous Guinness Beer - deserves to be given more recognition for his business deal of the Millennium.  Fascinating fact - this sensational wheeler and dealer - made a rental agreement - wait for it - the land he agreed to rent for 9000 years, yep you read that right, he paid -sit down for this....an initial 100 pounds and then 45 pounds a year!!!!! Wicked.... this is for four acres in the middle of the city. You know, and I bet there were a heap of people who tut tutted at the deal... reckoned he paid too much. Brilliant. This was in 1795 - he really does deserve to have us all drinking his beer for that. 
• Scottish people do not like the Polish - in fact - in every country we went to the Polish came up. And I am sorry to say, that not one comment was positive. Not even kind of. 
• Always, always, always take your brolly with you. (with a jacket and scarf not far away)
• Every other under five year old in Ireland has red hair. This was a shock to us. But they really do. 
• English and Irish rental cars have the indicators and wind screen wipers on the opposite side to us. What a pain. I have very clean windows. 
• In Amsterdam, it is trendy for the teenage guys to double their girlfriends on the carrier on their bicycle. This made us smile a lot.... felt like we'd gone back in time. 
• Jayllee observed that Amsterdam had mega small groups of guys visiting. Most of them American. 
• Commonwealth bank cards don't work in Sweden. Take cash!!!!They also don't and won't accept overseas credit cards - worried about fraud. I was worried about trying to leave there. 
• In winter, in Sweden, the train is often late to town, because people commit suicide jumping in front of it. You know, they could always have a holiday down south. But the sun is only up from 11 am until 3 pm in winter.... guess I can see why they visit Aussie and NZ. 
• Cheap airline food is disgusting and overpriced. 
• Mary's castle in Copenhagen is very cool.
• tourists shops are full of junk, but if you look long enough and hard enough, you can find some classic treasures. 
• take half the luggage you initially plan to pack. 
• "when beef meets bacon' burger at Maccas Amsterdam is not very nice. (I kid you not, that was the name!)
• You have to pay to use the Maccas toilets in Europe. Only, 50 euros but sometimes that coin is very hard to find. 
• European men dress very well. 
• They are all fit and slim over there. Copenhagen was the first place we saw weight challenged tourists.
• Sweden has a country fitness fad - get fit before you go there. 
• There are nice public toilet at the top floor of Hamley's toy shop in England. Don't look for public loos there, you can never find them.
• The public bikes you can hire in England are great fun. You just have to go through a tedious system to rent it. You put your card in, you put your card out, you put you card in and you shake it all about, you ask the guy standing close, just what it's all about, and then you put in again and you shake it all about. Honestly, I think it took four separate in and outs... don't give up. 
• Cabbie drivers are a great source of info in every country. 
• do the hop on hop off buses. They are fabulous.
• All shops open late and stay open late, so enjoy a late evening out. 
• pack sneakers, joggers, runners or whatever you want to call them, as they will become your best friend.
• Get your money out at cashflow machines, carefully, they gave us the best exchange by far!!!!!
• Dublin is very multicultural
• Copenhagen has families as their main tourist groups.
• If you are trying to head south, when you leave Stonehenge, don't worry, they will make you drive north for a number of kms before they let you go in the direction you want to with a round about.
• every major city has road works going on - get used to it and adapt your path.
• the one time you don't have a map, you will face a detour, and all your technology is guaranteed to fail as well. Just enjoy the extra scenery you pass. Timelines are made to be adjusted. Unless it's at an airport - trust me, tide and time wait for no man, and neither do planes. Always, be early!