The price is definitely right and I don't mind a 4hr layover in Chicago..lol. The only drawback is it leaves Phoenix at 5.50AM, which means I'd have to be there by at least 3.30am.

Now I just have to hope it's still available when I can book AND there are still seats available near the window..lol. Knowing my luck the plane from Chicago to Dublin is going to be full and I'll end up sitting in a middle seat the entire way.

We (and a whole plane load of Brits) had to go through Immigration in Liverpool when returning from Spain. We also had to go through immigration in Holyhead when we came by ferry from Dublin, although in Holyhead it was a man sticking his head in the car, asking how many and were we all British, then moving on to the next car.

Returning from Spain wouldn't be coming back in through the CTA.

As for the ferry - well that's kind of what "passport control" is like. At least when I've experienced it that is. I did passport control once coming into Belfast from Gatwick. Everybody just waived their passports at the officer. I think all they were concerned about anyone who might need a visa to enter the UK.

The last time we flew from Dublin into the UK was a hopper from Dublin into Eglinton Airport in L'Derry. We didn't even experience passport control that time. Just got off the plane.

Anything coming into Dublin from the US is going to be cheaper than flying direct into the UK. Because you just avoided the UK's air duty.

The only other way you might refine this to make it cheaper still would be to price Phoenix to Dublin - leave out Manchester. See what that fare is. You could always buy a separate flight on a budget airline (plenty of them fly out of Dublin). That way you are only paying air duty on the teeny price of the budget flight.

If I wanted to fly direct to Dublin from my "local" airport, todays price (round trip) is around $760. Flying into Heathrow is $1010.!!

Extra price for luggage?

Oh Mallory, what do you care? It's only money, right?

Phoenix to Dublin sounds like a good idea for me as well. Be nice to spend day or two there as well...

Yes, glad things are working out. Not long now, yipeee

It would be nice...but when I'm watching my money and lugging two suitcases, a laptop and my handbag it would be a nightmare..LOL

All being well.... only 15 days !!

Did you book or still waiting on the passport?

Still waiting for the passport I guess I'm just paranoid about trying to book without having my passport just in case, although I can't see it taking much longer. They've been processing it since Feb 20th, and according to the passport office in DC they say it should be printed this week (all being well..lol). So what I can see happening is I get my passport on April 3rd, book my ticket and fly out on April 9th.... guess I better back just in case...

I need someone to give me a slap ! I've just worked myself into a right tizzy, heart palpitations and nervous breakdown..LOL.

I thought I was being smart by going onto Google and taking a virtual walk around my new home to be area, getting familiar with where everything is and that sort of thing. On Google Earth i couldn't actually go up the lane where my flat is, but on another web site I could, so off I go..walking and come across a ruddy big FOR SALE sign.

Heart palpitations begin.........

So I'm thinking to myself.....is this why she doesn't need a deposit.....is she selling the B&B and the flat??? Would I get there only to find the place empty...and nobody knowing who the heck I am??

I spend the next hour looking online under the FOR SALE section of every site I can think of to see if I can find out anymore. Finally I find something under 'Commercial', describing 20 acres of land, barn etc etc and on the attached map it was pinpointed in the exact spot so I knew I'd found the right place, even though there was a disclosure saying the pin was in a central location for the area and not the exact location.

More research.......... I come across council plans for the sale and conversion of the property which go into great, long and laborious detail. But maps are attached, highlighting everything and where it all is.

Sigh of relief...sort of! On the maps I can see its for at the BACK of the B&B. There's a little side lane that goes into a barn area and spreads out. But you also access the B&B from that little lane as well, except you turn right instead of going straight ahead. All the property for sale is highlighted and it seemed to go all the way down the back and around the side. It doesn't look like it's in any way connected to the B&B and the flat, although it still could be and the owners are just selling off some of their property, because it mentioned the new owners having to erect fencing to shut off the property from the surrounding area.

So slap me...LOL I knew I shouldn't have gone on my virtual walk because I think I need to lie down now.. roflmao

I'm addicted to the show "The Planners" and you see them building houses in lovely countryside but it's mandate that like 5000 homes have to built by a certain year to accommodate growing population and sure to create jobs.

I wonder if there is some zoning law or conservation law or something that says in areas of pure natural beauty they can't build? I'd hate to think of being near the Pennines and have them build a couple of thousand homes..it would spoil the view