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[kathryn77]

See, to us here on Oz 3 weeks is an enormous amount of time to be driving around the place.... see, while we clearly have no concept of time (old to us is 50 yrs)... u guys dont seem to know how lucky u have it with how close and small everything is

Hi again,
I can see where you're coming from Tony, what I was trying to get at kinda fits with what you are saying...there is a lot of history in the UK & Ireland, so trying to get to see as much as possible in a short timeframe is where I think you'll find the trouble.

I was in Australia this time last year, and yeah, I did the long journeys to get places, but when you're in the middle of destinations, there's not much to stop and see...no offence I only spent a month in Oz, but in that time I managed to get to see what I wanted to in Melbourne; Brisbane, down the east coast to Sydney, over to Perth, up to Monkey Mia...there were things I missed out, but as I was on a cheapo traveller budget at that time I wanted to last longer on my trip, so fled to Asia to survive on a cheaper budget.

Anyway, when I got home and had a job again, I decided to do a week long trip in Scotland by car - I had a new found desire to explore my own country! - given I'd been in a favela in Rio, and never yet to Loch Ness! The problem was, I found everything so pretty, and was trying to stop at all the history points along the way...it was really really difficult! I really really wished I'd had more time - it took me a whole day to drive round the Isle of Skye for example - that was beautiful. And that was just a week in Scotland...I'm factoring in for you England, Wales, Northern Ireland & ROI...

So what I'm trying to get at is, yeah we're on smaller islands...but there's more to stop and see...

I totally admire how much you are trying to get to see, I just don't want you to leave disappointed and will help with suggestions where I can - as will the others I'm sure! I think the best thing you can do is make a list of the things you definitely want to see & do, and stick to it, if there's things that are a 'maybe' and are on the way to a 'definite', then that is a bonus...you don't just have to factor in sleeping & driving, as there will be tours worthwhile doing, and sometimes included in the entrance fee to castles for example, which will take some time... ( I spent a whole day in County Meath, Ireland on Sunday...!)

...we're all just trying to be helpful here in knowing what it must be like to come here as a visitor...but with you, you're a visitor that wants to 'see more' than a normal travel guide can provide...which is great, we just want to make sure you get the time to do so I hope that it's clear why we all keep going on about journey times...I might not be online for a few days now, as I'm going to London tomorrow and off to Barcelona for the w/e but I'll take a look when I get back...!