I can't believe my luck. But I am worried about the weather, and though it won't stop me, I need some advice about shoes, coats (thermal underwear?) etc.
We found Abingdon quite cold and damp in June, so I can't imagine what it's going to be like in December :-(
Again, this will not stop me, but how to be comfy? We'll be there for a week and then on to Brittany (near Brest) for a couple weeks. Any advice and tips would be appreciated.
WOOOHOOO, can you tell I'm super excited?
Eli, you lucky duck! I have not gone in winter, but in general my advice is silk and layers. Check out the WinterSilks catalog for long silk undies and turtlenecks; they are very lightweight and you can put lots on top. I also value a lightweight but warm cashmere sweater [on sale half price at Penney's last year], and a pashmina that can double as a muffler. With silk longjohns, a silk t-neck, an overshirt, wool or wool-blend pants and sweater, and perhaps a fleece vest on top, you should be toasty. I don't have such strong feelings about outer garments, except a fleece hat and warm gloves. I usually carry a large silk square in my jacket pocket that can wrap around my neck or be worn on my head [like a babushka; not fashionable but who cares]. Have a wonderful trip!
Kathleen, thank you for your response.
I never thought of silk as being "warm" for some reason. I usually use cotton thermies but no wonder I still feel cold!
This is a surprise trip. It was not planned and we had no idea the offer would come up. Strange as it might seem, my mother will be in France with my sister. She has breast cancer and we are not sure how long she will have the strength to travel. Mother has no idea we will meet her over there. We will walk in and she'll get the shock of her life. Hopefully she won't drop dead!
I can't resist saying it again - silk is SO MUCH warmer than cotton it is just amazing. I am usually cold here in northern Virginia; I start wearing my silk undies before Thanksgiving and don't give them up till late March.
I'm sorry to hear about the reason for this unexpected trip, and hope things go well for your mother - it's great that you will be able to surprise her like this! Best wishes-
Kathleen
Kathleen, I went back on the Wintersilks web site after you posted about your experience with silk. Will get some for the family. BTW, I loved N. Virginia. We were there a couple summers ago.
