UK CFC meetup mark II

[BCLG100]

Well until kan found a place to stay he was pulling up a box near me at the station ready for the train home, i guess he isnt anymore-its the cheapest hostel i could find .

train tickers-they wouldnt tell me when i asked about prices (the internet that is) but i imagine pricey.

 

[Sophie 378]

OK, Qjump.co.uk wants a login for price details, but I've got one. It's free and spam-free, so far.

Abbadon: 3 - 3.5 hour journey Newcastle-London King's Cross: there're direct trains every half hour or so for most of the day. Saver Return (railcard) £60. Sometimes it's cheaper to go not-on-a-Friday, and after 10am. There may be cheaper tickets that requite you to book a particular seat, eg Super Saver, Apex, etc. Also, single tickets are sometimes cheap: GNER Advance 2 for the outbound is £20.50. The last direct train back on Sunday leaves at 9pm, arrives 0055.

Kan, you're coming from Aberdeen aren't you? That's a longer journey - seven hours. 0955-1701 / 1025-1743 / 1123-1847 / 1225-1926 / 1323-2044 / 1425-2145 / 1455-2218 / 1622-0018 on the Friday. Some are direct, most change at Edinburgh Waverley. Last train back 1500 on Sunday for 2330. Saver Return £71.20 (railcard), singles for (£12.20-27 not available for this example date of 20th Oct as the stupid thing only goes a couple of months ahead) around £27 upwards.

BCLG100 from ... Carlisle (thank goodness for the CFC Frappermap): journey is 3-4 hours, like Abaddon's: every hour or so.
Journey back on Sunday takes twice as long for some reason.
Saver Return £52.65 (railcard), Value Advance Single A is £19.15.

[collapses in a heap, exhausted]

 

[Truronian]

I'm suddenly glad I got Natwest's free student railcard.

 

[BCLG100]

I'm suddenly glad I got Natwest's free student railcard.

Im getting that so that should help, thanks for the info sophie.

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Kan, you're coming from Aberdeen aren't you? That's a longer journey - seven hours. 0955-1701 / 1025-1743 / 1123-1847 / 1225-1926 / 1323-2044 / 1425-2145 / 1455-2218 / 1622-0018 on the Friday. Some are direct, most change at Edinburgh Waverley. Last train back 1500 on Sunday for 2330. Saver Return £71.20 (railcard), singles for (£12.20-27 not available for this example date of 20th Oct as the stupid thing only goes a couple of months ahead) around £27 upwards.

[collapses in a heap, exhausted]

Aww, how sweet of you, but I already know - I've just suffered the train to London and I'll be doing the return come Thursday. I have my railcard and know the prices, I'll probably come down the down the day before just to sleep off any exhaustion I have. Or take the sleeper.

But thank you for trying

 

[Abaddon]

cheers, hmmm, petrol costs driving there? where would i park? hmmm.

 

[Sophie 378]

Don't forget the new London congestion charges ...

The fee was introduced on 17 February 2003. Initially set at £5, but raised on 4 July 2005 to £8, the daily charge must be paid by the registered owner of a vehicle that enters, leaves or moves around within the congestion charge zone between 7am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday. From 19 June 2006 a new 'Pay-Next-Day' scheme was introduced allowing drivers to pay their congestion charge until midnight on the day of travel, or pay £10 until midnight on the following charging day. Failure to pay by midnight means a fine of at least £50.

 

[Lambert Simnel]

I love the congestion charges. It was getting so close to total gridlock in central London that there was virtually no point in trying to take a bus or a taxi anywhere, as you'd just been sitting in something averaging 5 or 6 mph for 20 minutes. Now, the buses are really reliable, pretty fast, and a genuine option again for travelling around the city.

I should have said that I probably have the option of putting one or two people up, though I do live 60 miles out of London, would probably want to kick you out pretty sharpish rather than playing the "mein host" role for a weekend, and I haven't checked with the wife yet....

That said, it's there as an option for those who just can't find anything in London istelf.

 

[Stapel]

Kan, you're coming from Aberdeen aren't you? That's a longer journey - seven hours. 0955-1701 / 1025-1743 / 1123-1847 / 1225-1926 / 1323-2044 / 1425-2145 / 1455-2218 / 1622-0018 on the Friday. Some are direct, most change at Edinburgh Waverley. Last train back 1500 on Sunday for 2330. Saver Return £71.20 (railcard), singles for (£12.20-27 not available for this example date of 20th Oct as the stupid thing only goes a couple of months ahead) around £27 upwards.

Easyjet offers return flights (Aberdeen-Luton), including airport extras for £55.98.
Of course you need to pay for a train ticket from Luton to London, but still. It saves quite some time!

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

I would consider a flight as well, will look into it, and thanks for the info

 

[Furiey]

I live north of London, a few stops on the train to the north of Luton on the Bedford to St Pancras/Kings Cross Thameslink line. I would be happy to put people up (only 1 spare room but lots of floor space) if it helps. Day return train fare to London (inc travelcard for the tube/busses in London) cost £15 to £20 last year (I can remember exactly and haven't checked yet for this time) and trains run every 20 mins or so with a 45 min journey time. I would also have to kick people out fairly early on Sunday though as I have to disappear off for my father's birthday.

@Abaddon, this may save your parking problem if you're driving down even if you don't want to stay as you would be welcome to park at my place and travel the rest of the way by train.

 

[nonconformist]

So, is the 16th settled?

 

[Stapel]

So, is the 16th settled?

I guess so. Rik Meleet and I have booked flights..... .

The 16th it is!

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

Can't wait.

Imperial War Museum btw, is wonderful. Was in it and got mesmerised, big enough for a large group, but small enough to only take up a couple of hours. Natural History Museum though, now there's a place to get lost in

I think I'm happy no matter what happens.

 

[BCLG100]

ooooooooo it'll be christmas time as well and the lights will look purdy!

 

[Kan' Sharuminar]

ooooooooo it'll be christmas time as well and the lights will look purdy!

Blurry BCLG, they'll look blurry

 

[greenpeace]

Lucky people!!! Argh.

 

[Abaddon]

Ooh, several people have floor space, how very nice

Furiey, could you pencil me in? would be muchos appreciated.. and i have no problems getting out your way on sunday.
Whether i train or car it is still in the air...


I know there are mug shots elsewhere, but perhaps we could clutter this thread up with pics as well so we will know who were looking for.

 

[Truronian]

I'll post a picture nearer the time. My hair has rapid growth issues.

 

[Sophie 378]

Good idea, Abbadon - but put links to old posts or spoiler them so that the broadband-deprived can load the page.

Here's an old mug-shot of me. Maybe I should find a newer one ... that's at least two years old. My fringe has fully grown out since then, and I've given up contact lenses on the grounds of expense.