My Beautiful Laundrette

We weren't sure how to illustrate this post, so we're going with a complete non-sequiter (or maybe doing laundry can be epically Wagnerian?)...


One of Sid's major concerns for this trip was washing - how, when, how much - what to do with our dirty clothes (this is Philip, btw). Here's how we dealt with that aspect of things...
First wash was in Tewkesbury at a local laundrette. Depressing place - we took care of our own machines, there were some ladies working there who'd take care of your wash for a price (& a 24 hour turnaround, which was too long for us). Maybe it was the job, maybe it was the place, but they were not happy. I exited with a few damp undies just to get out from under the black cloud.
Next, Galway. As noted before, its a bit of a backpackers haven & there were self wash facilities galore. Clare helped me carry our bags of dirties & we loaded up the machines. The lady working there was lovely, very helpful - and spent the whole time saying the rosary, flicking her beads. Maybe she was praying for the lost souls (aka backpakers), maybe she was praying that the machines didn't break down. Whatever her motivation, things worked out well & we headed out of ireland in lovely, fresh clothes.
Scotland - we got one over the canny Scots. The hotel (the Lovat!) said they'd do us a favour & wash a bag of clothes for a few pounds - we turned up with 4 bags. They looked askance, took the laundry & reluctantly washed it all.
London part deux - our hotel charged $4 for undies, no self wash facilities in Knightsbridge. I found a cleaner that agreed to do the lot for gbp20 & delivered it to our hotel. Nice!
Paris - interestingly, the most technologically advanced laundrette. Nice big machines, a central paying station, fully automated. Plus a cafe right next door. My favourite laundry experience from an ambience & technological perspective.
Florence - we put Lee's machine through its paces, dried everything on the line - the true Italian way.
Munich - again interestingly, the most social experience. Lots of tourists, everyone sitting around chatting (an Aussie couple fresh from the passion plays, a Canadian dude from Vancouver, a Brit, some yanks). One told the story of being in a laundrette & a customer stuffing the machine, then taking his clothes off & throwing them as well - sitting there in his undies. Fortunately (maybe unfortunately?), no-one stripped off here.
Santorini - again, a tourist mecca, found a convenient drop off place.