Can I REALLY be arsed.......

[nicho]

.....with going to the LBS??

Not really fancying the drive from Northants during the rush hour, which sees the M1 stopped every morning for mile after mile (and I gather would mean paying the congestion charge), the only way is by public transport. However our local rail station has recently stopped direct trains to Euston, so now I would have to make two changes (Northampton and then Milton Keynes). So it would be easier to drive to M.K. (45 minutes +), and pick up the main line there - standing room only, of course to London as it would be smack in the middle of commuter time.

Once in London, it's onto the Northern Line to Bank, then to pick up the Docklands Light Railway, and finally to ExCel. Not a very enticing trip, and probably around 3 hours or more. Then it's the same all over again to return home (again in standing room only time). Well, can I be arsed with over six hours travelling time for five hours there max? I'll see, but surely the NEC would be better for most?

 

[Althorne]

My, my Nicho didn't we get out of bed the wrong side this morning.
Why not try coming down the day before after the rush, take a small hotel in N4 (Seven Sisters Rd was always good) or somewhere similar. Leave the car parked in thier car park for 2 days free of charge and go shopping/sightseeing. Next day underground to Docklands, after a nice breakfast at hotel, enjoy your day, pick up car in N4 afternoon or evening out of rush hours and take a steady plod home. Seems simple enough to me but what do I know I live close to Excel so don't have that problem?

 

[mirabriani]

So... what you are suggesting is to
"work the tides"
"sleep when not moving" and
"never miss an opportunity for a brew"

I believe I read that advice in Charlie Stock's book

Regards Briani

 

[nicho]

Rose tinted spectacles methinks!! Over the years I've spent too much time working in/around Greater London. It's not so much the time spent travelling, but the chopping/changing to get there - car/train/tube/light railway etc. For anyone to get to the NEC, it's a simple train or car ride, much better surely?

PS as you live close by, can we stay the night?? (only kidding!)

 

[GeoffW]

I agree with Nicho. Travelling from the west midlands involves numerous time consuming changes. All making for a very long day!

 

[FullCircle]

Nicho,
we live near Althorne (Roy) but on the South bank of the Crouch. We are going Sunday 9th. If you fancy staying overnight here, PM us. Cost you a pint. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
We can cadge a lift in with you to the Park & Ride, and catch the train home.....
Traffic going north on Sunday evening is not that bad

 

[Althorne]

You are welcome to stay the night but I only have a small cardboard tent under Waterloo Bridge if you don't mind sharing?

 

[nicho]

Jim, I was really only kidding about the night's stay, but I appreciate the offer nevertheless. I WILL probably go I suppose, but my post was to highlight the "difficulty" of getting to ExCel from anywhere outside London. Somewhere central such as the NEC would be much easier to all those living outside London.

Cheers

Mike N

 

[Althorne]

Er, I think that's why it's in London Nicho. Too many people won't go to NEC cause it's too far away from the clutch on the south and east coasts and even more difficult to get to by public transport plus there's bugger all else to do there once out of the show. Apart from that there are Northern and Scottish Boat Shows that cater for others and you just happen to be in an unfortunate location to get to any of them. Come on put on your happy face and meet us on Sunday in the big Black tent.
Roy /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ChrisE]

erm, NEC might be central but it is about as far from the sea as a man can get in England. Appreciate your travel probs but I for one am glad that a. it has moved from Earls Court and b. it is finally connected to the sea. If it is any consolation we have a 3 hr d2d trip.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

If you don't go, how else are you going to choose your brand new Oyster ? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gunfleet]

To really get that Thames Estuary/AC Stock experience he'll need to wear waders, spend most of the journey kneeling on the back seat, pee in a bucket and chuck it over the side (sorry, out of the window) and sleep on the parcel shelf reading something uplifting by the light of a guttering oil-lamp. ps tinned food only, of course.

 

[claymore]

Birmingham - 2m people with a speech impediment

 

[nicho]

Mmmm, and my mates new Oyster 62 is being displayed on the stand at the Dusseldorf Show too! Nope, methinks the trusty Bav will have to do....!

 

[nicho]

Roy,

Don't misunderstand, I'm not a fan of Birmingham!! I personally love the SBS 'cos we are only a 10 minute ferry ride from the marina to the entrance. I missed this years Southampton effort, and to answer my own question, yes, I probably will be "arsed" to go, (though not sure what day yet). Nevertheless, it is a complete 'pain' to get there. By the way, you're right, I do seem to "get out the wrong side of the bed" more and more these days!! Mr Grumpy according to Mrs Nicho......

 

[Mike21]

Why would you need to pay the congestion charge?,Would have thought the best way would be to head for Dartford on the M25 and in on the A13. and avoid congestion charge area completely.

 

[Robin]

I\'m a definite no

For the first time in living memory our club is NOT running a coach from Poole to LBS this year. So many people were disappointed last year with the amount of time at the show relative to the travelling time that there were too few takers this year, whereas previously this was always overbooked. Personally I will be sticking to Southampton Boat Shows and will have quite a few quid for extra goodies from the money saved by dropping Excel.

 

[Althorne]

So after all that are you meeting me and Jim on Sunday or not?????????? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
PS:Quite right Mike21

 

[nicho]

Oh, right - don't know too much about the congestion charge area, and I was told I would have to pass through it - thanks for that, I might just come by voiture.

 

[pessimist]

Sometimes I wake up Grumpy. Others I let her sleep.

Duck and run now.

Ooops that was meant to be a reply to Nicho.