Going to the UK Without My Guide Dog... (+ blind accessibility in London!)

[@damonmad02]

As a English native it blows my mind how many accessibility features seem to be new to someone living in a country like the US or Canada - who knew we all took so much for granted!!

[@millie-jayne7676]

So glad you enjoyed it here in the UK as a blind girl myself I never realised how accessible our country is in some ways

[@rosalinfeit5392]

Hi Molly glad u have fun in London England I would like to know what kind cane it is cuz I am looking for cane like y have what the name brand of your cane I have usher syndrome myself and diabity balance too hope y have a great day Molly ok want to know what y call your cane Molly ok tks

[@kellygrainger1582]

how are you blind if your typing

[@millie-jayne7676]

@kellygrainger1582 With my fingers is this first time watching molly's videos? if not you've learnt nothing it's 2023 all phones have accessibility settings now it's called voice over

[@mygirldarby]

Molly looks so grown up! I mean that in the best way. 😊 her rich brown hair is so sophisticated and she looks like a chic adult woman who has it all together, strolling around London. ❤

[@LittleDergon]

I was thinking the same, very classy chic lady

[@TheBlindMermaid]

Molly looks so much like a woman now! She's so lucky her parnets help her so much and she has that kind of support! ❤

[@tomkins7382]

Yes, the weather in London can be grey and miserable. But when it's clear and sunny (which it is a lot of times), it can be such a magical place. You did London well, though, Molly! Please come back soon!! 😊

[@Mariamox]

Soo trueee

[@joebloggs396]

April to September is better, now is not the best time

[@katcankan7129]

I have lived in the UK my whole life & I did not know about the spinning cone on the pedestrian crossing. Interesting, Thank you 💜

[@shadowkissed2370]

The way you described what Elton's reaction will be to seeing you is exactly how my 8-month-old Aussie Shepperd reacts when she sees me after I get home. I immediately pictured Elton doing it and it melted my heart.

[@c.a.4366]

Hi Molly, I'm glad you had a good work tip in London. Since you've shown interest in good quality durable clothes produced responsably in the past, you might want to do some research and look into Primark working practices and labour conditions along the whole value chain. Such low retail prices and fast fashion often mean someone else along the production chain had to pay the price, more often than not with horrible working conditions in asian countries beeing masked by complicated subcontracting so that the big retail company doesn't have to take responsibility for it. Primark is not foreign to this practice and faces massive ethics critism in Europe.

[@robyntheslytherin]

Ngl Primark clothes hold up pretty well, better than some big brands x

[@pcatma]

​@@robyntheslytherinit isn't about the quality of the clothes, it's about the ethics of their production which allows them to be sold for cheaper than other brands

[@robyntheslytherin]

@@pcatma yes, but her comment made out that they were not durable

[@annekecaramin]

I was really surprised by that as well... for someone who always talks about buying quality and ethical items, Primark is a very strange choice. Especially in a city like London where you have so many opportunities for thrifting/vintage or small brands you can't find anywhere else.

[@robyntheslytherin]

@@annekecaramin best place to find Disney for better prices though x

[@AndrewwarrenAndrew]

As the son of blind people who were born in the 1920's and 1930's it's amazing how things are so different now from their experiences. I recall my dad telling me he was bending to get into a taxi when a " helpful" person suddenly grabbed both his legs and threw him into the cab shouting " There ya go mate".

[@mainstreammutant]

Hi molly! I have tumors in both my eyes from a genetic disease that causes tumor growth on most of my organs (ive had 11 surgeries and lost all my paternal family from it). Ive been getting injections in my eyes to shrink/stabilize the tumors for almost 20 years. I went from having perfect vision for most of my life, regardless of the tumors to suddenly the tumors causing retinal detachments and my vision suddenly decreasing drastically even though the detachment was fixed with surgery. Anyway, very long story short, i used to be terrified of going blind but your videos have helped me find a little peace with the coming blindness

[@rosiehoy4736]

I don't have a diagnosis like yours but I feel the same fear and I feel the same way about Molly.

[@TheBellaegi2]

Even though I am sighted, I have to say: the audio description of your videos is so good! I watched this video as I was doing my skincare, without looking, and didn’t feel like I missed out on anything ❤

[@annetje2333]

Maybe an idea for your trip to the Netherlands next year Molly: the city of Leiderdorp just installed its first blind mayor (named: Tjarda Struik), and she uses her blindness to her advantage saying that she especially is more capable of listening to her constituents. Talking about blindpower and girlpower!

[@robyntheslytherin]

At our crossings, that beep also means its safe to cross, theyre also the same UK wide :)

[@RichardGadsden]

Crossings that are close to residential areas don't beep at night (so as to let the neighbours sleep) so you have to rely on the cone. They also don't beep when there are multiple crossings close together (like crossings around a junction) so people can't get confused by a neighbouring crossing beeping. (there are also a few cases where they don't beep at all because of a neighbour with very specific noise requirements; e.g. crossings near TV/radio/recording studios.

[@robyntheslytherin]

@@RichardGadsden yes but that is what the beep means, didnt say she shouldn't rely on the cone, but often one of the two is broken and if it's the cone then it's good to know what the beep means....

[@kessorensen3269]

You can sometimes find mille crepe cakes at bubble tea shops, at least in Seattle. Looking at the menus of your local bubble tea shops to find places that have them is what I recommend.

[@HeartCoils]

Just casually watching and then realised that I’ve been to that hotel! The old jail cells are really cool! I had a mocktail in that bar and it was a nice experience

[@zW1LdXf0rL1f3]

Hey Molly! I'm a really big fan. I'm going blind in my right eye. And I just found this out this Wednesday. Ur such an inspiration❤

[@Fluffyunicorns33]

I am so happy you enjoyed London. I live in the U.S. and the place I work at I have customer that she goes there enough times that everyone knows her and when I see her walk in I already know she is blind so I make sure that someone is on the way to the door to meet up with her when I see her. Yesterday I was the person that helped her out and I made sure she could feel everything and made sure she knew what everything was and how much it will cost her. Then after we did the shopping I had to take her the pharmacy that is right there in the same building I work in and they made sure to let her feel everything and they read her the directions on the medication she was getting. As a sighted person this not something I do every day.

[@kathrynmartyn2013]

You should have come to Hartfield, East Sussex when in the UK, its where the real Pooh Bridge is, and 100 Acre Wood, and there is a Winnie the Pooh based shop in the little village, then Ashdown Forest where all the stories were based.

[@dinascully4983]

Lol when you said the priority is Primark I felt that. I spent a week in London one time and hit up Primark (including the Oxford St one!) like 3 times.

[@lottedebitter1313]

Hi Molly! Happy you enjoyed the UK so much, even though you missed Elton to be there with you. If you and your boyfriend are making it to the Netherlands next year, I'm living here as a blind woman myself and I have plenty of (accessibility) tips, so let me know!

[@joeashley-xc5yz]

I was in old London Town on Tuesday, It's not my cup of tea, but it looks like you had a good time. I was glad to get out of there and back to the shire

[@AnnAnonyme]

My understanding is that face cloths are considered to be a "personal item" in the UK (like a razor or make-up brush), so you're expected to bring your own. (I have English relatives, but I'm not in the UK, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!)

[@cherylhowker1792]

I know some places do provide but due to Covid a lot of things like that cost 5x the price or more then 3 years ago so it may be that now it’s not worth including them for the extra cost…. My family used to own a hotel business,small, but as I say we found all this stuff costs money, towels and bedding you have washed and reused but face cloth/flannels they would say are personal and not for reuse i except. As I say I have stayed in places like Hilton and they have them in plastic packs on the towels and soap but it’s all personal stuff. I know they charge for them. Or they are included in the price for stay but the price for stay without them would be less. Hope this makes sense.

[@dylanquinn7]

The blue you had on in the beginning of the video is STUNNING on you! You look incredible always but that color really suits you Molly 😍

[@CollectiveWest1]

Thank you Molly for sharing your perspective. Super interesting. I love the fact that your dog is called Elton John. You have very useful advice for travellers - I live in London and I want to find some of the places you visited. I hope you enjoyed visiting London. You did very well although London is not representative of the whole UK I think. The hotel looked great. Living in London, I rarely go inside hotels here but it's something I mean to do more of, especially the interesting new hotels opening here. One thing I notice here is that staff in Underground (Tube) and railway stations will often help visually impaired people, and I try to offer to do that as well if I see someone who needs help finding the right platform. London is a busy and confusing city even for people who do not have accessibility issues. One change I noticed here about pedestrian lights is that many do not have beeps when it is safe to cross now. I did not know about the spinning cone. You stayed in Shoreditch - I once had to get emergency laser surgery at the specialist NHS eye clinic there. I saw the comment here about Primark's supply chain. They do claim that some of their cotton products are sustainable, but I agree that we should understand more about supply chains - it's undeniable that some products are good value. I prefer Uniqlo for T shirts and you might like to try that store too.

[@taylingmanoukian4998]

Hi Molly! Next time you are in London, please go to Bridget’s Bakery, I think you will simply love it! They serve afternoon tea, amazing pastries and cakes, and I know you will so appreciate the vibes there. Don’t get me started on the specialty mixed teas they put together; simply heavenly! Your tea palette will love and wanna try them all. The decor is so girly and fun bright pink, I think you will adore it. Even the tea kettles are beautiful and flowery. Make sure you make a reservation as they are busy. I have been there every time I got to London (Im from the US and tag along when my husband travels there)as I am an avid tea lover who appreciates quality tea. They also sell their loose leaf seasonal teas… I think you will adore and appreciate the entire experience!

[@Wiki7202]

the crossing controls are standard across the uk in case you ever find yourself in a different city

[@tiffanimilburn8885]

Great video Molly. It’s interesting to hear about the Accessability other countries. By the way, I think your editor does a great job of describing the scenery.

[@victoria_ronning]

18:31 this look, with the hair and all, suits you soooo well! x

[@AuthorDiannaGunn]

The accessibility stuff in London is really fun! Something I've wondered for a while & would love to see you talk about is what happens with training while you're away. I know you're training the guide dog all the time, it's a constant process. Do you have to do more intense training for a few days when you get back from a trip to get back into the rhythm of it?

[@gracelarmee]

I don't think she's ever left him alone for longer than 10 days if I remember form her videos correctly. During that time, her dad gives her dog the command to eat and he can get walked on a leash but can't go in a harness with someone other than Molly. I think that they don't lose their training in that time because it's just about a week, like most pets if you left them alone for a week would still know how to sit, stay, down, etc.

[@MossyBear]

These are so cool to see. I know I'm never going to be able to go overseas like this, so it's nice to live a little vicariously though vlogs like this one :)

[@aarxnw]

I hope you find the UK accessible enough, sometimes the pavements can be a big issue in some places in the UK as they are very old and sometimes stubbly so I do hope you didn’t face too many hurdles on your stay here, London should be the most accessible as it is the capital and I think they do a great job compared to some places :)

[@CollectiveWest1]

Yes, I once tripped badly on bad paving and was injured and barely able to walk for months. The danger of even small uneven surfaces seems to be ignored.

[@oxfamshop]

Love the hotel . When you said the hotel was called the court house that explains the painted artwork on thw wall of the kray twins

[@eyelightangel]

The crossings are standard in uk so if you travel anywhere else in uk you will be ok crossing the road, our deserts are good brownie, fudge cake is tasty try that next time should grab some of our chocolate and sweets too

[@trimmerman96]

I love how you chose a character from Winnie-the-Pooh for your guide dogs. Eeyore is the perfect choice for Gallop.

[@anikaxmeisel]

Elton is such a cutie! So sweet the way he could just sense you were going to leave and was being extra snuggly

[@Rebecca-zp4gm]

In primark, they even have tills designed for disabled shoppers to use. They are brilliant and easy to use, especially with queuing and waiting. No questions either

[@Iskandar64]

I have lived in London for over 30 years and I did not know about those rotating cones on the pedestrian crossing boxes. Something I see and use so often.

[@amyeliza452]

Contrary to popular belief, it's actually sunny quite often in England! I hope you had a lovely time, and it's definitely worth visiting other parts of England too :)

[@queenofdramatech]

Yep, but November London was rainy! Loved it though!

[@amyeliza452]

@@queenofdramatech Glad to hear you loved it!

[@sophieirwin3497]

I'm going home to the UK for Christmas and you can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to Primark to stock up on my faves (I need some cute dresses and skirts for the summer in LA)

[@katc4786]

I love the sunflower lanyard I learned what it means a few days ago ❤

[@alexgill2455]

I’ve had afternoon tea in the courtroom there and cocktails in a cell. Worth a visit.

[@angiecastro9345]

Sounds fun! I would love to go to the UK someday.

[@miraclerat]

Love seeing a sunflower lanyard!

[@kattwade]

I've stayed in that hotel! It's gorgeous. Those rooms in the restaurant are old cells for the Krays!

[@judylee3589]

Your trip looked amazing! It looked like you guys had a wonderful trip and also were glad to get home to see Elton John.... but what about Lavender? I know my cats always missed me terribly when I returned home after being gone.

[@lifeofnanaa]

I was in cyprus this week and because I saw your short (at least I think it was a short haha) about the spinning cone at traffic lights i noticed them there too!

[@chapplepeach29]

❤❤ Molly, your condo windows were not blurred out in yhis. We can see the building across from you. Just a heads up for your team to watch out for you! ❤

[@sarahfoundas3895]

Omg yes was so glad to see you and Catarina hanging out! I hope you both go out dancing sometime 💃 Elton's tippy taps after you got back were sooo cute!

[@karasutenshi32]

There are crepe cakes at Motto Cafe in Pasadena. Not LA, exactly, but kind of close!

[@sandimartin8394]

Another amazing adventure!! I love going on adventures with you❤

[@TheHopperUK]

My sighted friends are amazed by the little spinny thing under the light controls at crossings! Nobody knows about them haha

[@SlugcatEmporium]

It's okay to be a sweets person and to like sweet things!

[@sophieirwin3497]

I don't have pudding (dessert) typically as I don't have a sweet tooth either. Even a lot of the bread in the US is super sweet. But sticky toffee pudding and ice cream/custard is one of my go to's in the UK. That or apple pie and custard

[@lumenmist]

If anyone wants to go, the restaurant is called Dishoom not The Shum 😊

[@missbyanka]

Lady M is a popular Mille Crepe place. There's one on Sawtelle and one in the Santa Anita mall in Arcadia.

[@carolineroellinghoff377]

lavender is just like oh she back walks away 🐶😺

[@Lisa-sr9xn]

I've bought that exact same Winnie the Pooh crew neck with all his friends on (as well as a Stich one) at Primark in September and I love it! It is so cosy!!! 🥰 I usually don't like Primark as it is too busy and too messy for me but I've seen that Disney 100 advertisement and just had to see what they've got. 😍😍😍 I love milles crepes cake, too - so yummy!!! 😋 By the way, who is doing the voice-over for the footage (haven't seen any of your videos or any KZbin videos at all for quite a while since being a mum)? It doesn't sound like you nor like your mum. Thank you for this video! I miss London/the UK - did my A-Levels there, 16 years ago!!! 💖 Feeling the urge to go back and visit again even more, now. 🥲

[@rheagalarneau1366]

Her name is Robin (sp).

[@Lisa-sr9xn]

@@rheagalarneau1366 thank you 😊

[@sophieirwin3497]

Yeah the UK is notoriously difficult to get animals in, even if they are service dogs like Elton and Gallop (did Gypsy ever go? And I know Bennix wasn't with you long enough to have the chance to go). You'd think service dogs would be easier as they are well trained, have lots of documentation for their health and vaccines compared to standard pets, but apparently not.

[@shibithecatthing]

it's awful! Part of it is because it's illegal for pets to fly in the cabin in your standard plane. This means assistance dogs have to have proof of training and be 'approved' to not be charged an illegal landing fee of ~£400 iirc. If a dog is not ADI/IGDF trained this approval can really be touch and go and quite hard to get in some circumstances. It is changing which should make it easier for UK based partnerships, unfortunately I'm uncertain how it will effect international partnerships coming into the UK.

[@dasy2k1]

Assistance dogs are slightly easier than pets to get into the UK and they are the only animals permitted to fly in the cabin whatsoever but you will need documented proof of their assistance dog training from a recognised organisation (CNIB recognised would probably be sufficient for a guide dog) However the UK is still extremely strict when it comes to certain things as we are completely rabies free and don't have several of the other common canine parasites either. Hence we need proof of rabies vaccination and of various other treatments such as deworming which must be done in a very specific window before travel

[@buzzzzzz69]

That really is a classy looking hotel room. I would call that purple accent colour (used on the bedspead) AUBERGINE. As in eggplant. So it's a very dark earthy purple. And the word you were looking for to describe the pattern on the carpet is GEOMETRIC. It's a term used to describe repetitive patterns made up of all the shapes you might think of when you hear the word GEOMETRY. So glad you got to enjoy your trip...

[@RiverWoods111]

When I bake I cut the sugar sometimes in half, and frankly, the pies and pastries taste so much better. I don't mess with cakes because I had a spice cake explode in my oven one time. The oven was caked in cake batter an inch thick on all sides. I still don't know what I did wrong. I have noticed some Americans have a problem and need to add syrup and stuff to my apple pies though.

[@katnoelle03]

It still amazes me how much he looks like my old service dog shadow.

[@Omni315]

That changing room as a repurposed accessible toilet. The table/seat was over the toilet.

[@richardgriffin5466]

You are a beautiful person that means I need one of your sticks always turning it down

[@tracyramos1019]

Not having a face cloth was a little shocking to us also, when we were in London.

[@prinzezze]

Wow such a big hotel room! Looks great

[@emilybannon1943]

I got the exact same sweater when I was in London. I too love primark and I’m sad that we don’t have it in Canada

[@Ruby_Mullz]

It’s a shame u couldn’t bring your guide dog with you, because the public transport in London is the best part of the city from an accessibility standpoint. The city is so interconnected and you can literally use the Underground to go anywhere so easily.

[@cherylf.4616]

I love watching when you and Elton John reunite!

[@harveyabel1500]

The U.K. treated you well! Jolly good, pip, pip! My mum and her siblngs were born and raised in Harrow. Middlesex, by the way.

[@petsbooksmovies]

When we went to France as a family, I made my mum and brother go to primark because I had never been before and really wanted to. My brother, in particular, wasn't happy about it opps 😅

[@planetaryg0]

oh god i moved up to york for university this year, i miss london so much🥲

[@KoriJaiden]

Seems like a fun trip!

[@robertorion6559]

I just got back from London so this video was kind of funny to have pop up in my feed. Accessibility wise I found that London is far less uniform than most North American cities. Things like stair high and width, curb placement, and things like that are much more varied in London then other cities. This makes you spend extra effort thinking about for instance how high to rise your foot to go up stairs; something that is mostly instinctive. I actually took a fall on some stairs mostly because the stairs were, for what I am used to, non standard high and width. I caught a toe on a stair and lost my balance and fell. Luckily I was able to catch myself (it was only 3 small stairs) and did not get hurt. Did you notice that "unevenness" in London?

[@VulcanOnWheels]

8:15 I couldn't find her KZbin channel in the video description, but I found it after all. 11:32 I can see you just fine. 20:40 I have to know when! *smile*

[@brittanyclemons6457]

Realizing Molly is a crime junkie makes me love her even more and I didn't know I could 😂

[@karenrosenberger1321]

I have always wanted to Europe especially England!! It's funny when I mention it to my husband, he says you have lol. 😅

[@deboramobers]

Omg yay I’m Dutch I hope he enjoys the Netherlands and would love to see you visit cities other than Amsterdam like Zaandam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Maastricht ❤🎉 I miss Europe 😢

[@warriorwoman91]

It's funny, I DO have a sweet tooth and I find most American sweets too sweet lol.

[@TimeTraveller2054]

Next time you go to Dishoom, PLEASE try the okra fries! They’re also too good to share.

[@PrincessofEllabur]

I think you said you like history in a previous video right? Well here's an interesting concept I learn last fall. The idea of "High tea" at places like restaurants and hotels come from a misconception made by someone in the tourism industry. The wealthy in Britan and other places in the British Empire would have tea at low tables in middle of their fancy furniture about 2-3 in the afternoon. And the high tea were for the "common people" aka the labourers and they would have tea in their kitchen at high kitchen tables. The person who heard the term "high tea" didn't do any research and just automatically assumed that "high tea" was what the wealthy did.

[@wintersnowowen2254]

It’s actually not that rare to be sunny in London, quite common in summer.

[@Lauralum99]

this camera is amazing

[@Pooky715]

Wow the hotel looks amazing 😊

[@Brittany-d3r]

I collect eeyore plushies. Now everytime I look on my bookshelf and in the basket in my closet I'll think of Gallop. I miss seeing him in your videos.

[@roboman34]

love both of you , come to bexleyheath , next time , and , you can then see part of south east , and KENT countryside , and smelll the fields Ext ....lavender fileds ...farms .....Smeels , lol ....xoxoxo

[@HeyItsZee_]

What a fun video!!

[@tobeytransport2802]

I just wanna say as a holder of a driving license in the UK we were taught red and white canes mean deaf-blind people so be careful to check what colour cane you are using... if you’re blind but not deaf it should be all white or whatever pattern you want but not red and white. “Particularly vulnerable pedestrians... Blind or partially sighted people, who may be carrying a white cane using a guide dog. They may not be able to see you approaching. Deafblind people who may be carrying a white cane with a red band or using a dog with a red and white harness. They may not see or hear instructions or signals.” Taken from Rule 207 of the Highway Code. Not that it matters... drivers have an obligation to look out for you but if they see the red band they just may not use the horn... and other people not driving will always help.

[@Positivekitten]

In North America, a blind cane is usually white with a red tip. Although different colors and bling are becoming much more common place.

[@shannonrickard8605]

That's not the standard in America though, so she probably doesn't have an all-white cane.

[@IsSarahPi]

What are cobblestone streets like if you are a cane user?

[@asecretcourtofcrowsandcloc4084]

I wanted to visit London for a while and now noticing all the different accessibility features you pointed out I haven’t come across in the US, at least not in the state that I’ve lived in and visited, I’m very interested to see them in person. When you scan the QR code for payment at the restaurant was it screen reader accessable.

[@thorarisan]

If you do end up in Netherlands next spring, it's not that far over to northern Germany and I know a guy there who is a blind sailor. I'd love to see the two of you go out sailing if you're up for an episode of blind leading the blind.

[@Positivekitten]

I’m a blind sailor and I’ve been making the suggestion for years. I don’t know if she isn’t interested or just hasn’t caught my comments.

[@karanterus]

Honestly that set Outfit and hair makes molly look like she belongs on Charmed asone of the sisters XD I feel molly's power would be speaking to animals or something XD

[@heler87]

He might understand what packing means. My pet dog, who was a failed guide dog, would get angry and sad whenever we got the suitcases out.

[@easternblot]

I took my cat from Canada to the UK when I moved there and the process was SO complicated, even before Brexit. It's because they're trying so hard to keep rabies out, so it's a good reason, but annoying when you're the one travelling.

[@camid7403]

I feel like since Covid there’s a good amount of restaurants that use pay with a QR code. Maybe like 1-2/10. (I am from the Midwest)

[@mlguy8376]

As a kid the rumour was that if you spin the cone below the traffic light button the lights change faster 😆

[@keithrudd8003]

You will have to come to Birmingham…the world’s largest Primark….

[@joebloggs396]

You came the wrong time of the year, April to September has the best weather.

[@planetaryg0]

i don't think any time has the best weather lmao expect maybe june/july

[@oxfamshop]

Can I ask where was the link to the content creator you met in lonodon . Great video

[@kumuduattygala1142]

❤😊❤❤😘 love this video

[@cherylhowker1792]

Lol I wear the T-shirt dresses as day tops as they give ya more space and cover the back a bit better then usual tops

[@cherylhowker1792]

New sub here…. I live in the uk, not London but the south east- not far from Dover. You doggie is so cute and loving. He reminds me of my girl whenever I leave her she gets like this but she also starts to try hold on to me and not let me go. She’s my support dog, who we have trained from 12weeks old to support me with physical disabilities, FND and autism … that’s what her main roles cover. But recently we have been teaching her to mark where steps are when she’s on her lead- I can see where they are, but I want her to pause and let me register that there are steps as it makes me stop, as I’ve been known to take a step and it be 2/3 down as I haven’t judged it right. Hoping this will help. Amazing to see your trip and you explain the difference between here and there . I don’t get to travel as it’s too much hassle for what you get from a holiday. So we holiday here instead which works well having Lilly. It’s good to know that that if I wanted to visit friends with Lilly I could- more training needed as only 2 years old and something like planes etc would have to be prepared for but it’s legally possible. That’s important to know. Xx

[@vp.vii4]

I loooooove Winnie the Pooh 💙 We call it here Micimackó 💛