Planning a big trip next year

[nikimcbee]

Okay, assuming the economy doesn't totally collapse next year, I am thinking about a big trip next year.

My original plan was to go to Russia to see the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino. But the more I think about it, the more expensive and complicated that trip sounds.


So my backup idea was to go to London to do a history holiday. The down side is, I don't know the first thing about the area and I'm unsure how to get around (I'm NOT getting a rental car!)

Any secrets in keeping the expences down over there?

Priorities (atm) what I'd want to see:
The Imperial War Museum.
The Sub museum in Gosport (must see the Holland there).
Any subsimmers want to hook up?


When's a good time of the year to go?

[Torplexed]

Priorities (atm) what I'd want to see:
The Imperial War Museum.
The Sub museum in Gosport (must see the Holland there).


Better include a tour of the light cruiser HMS Belfast. Otherwise jimbuna will throw you into the Thames. :O:

IWM is a must. I'd also visit the the Cabinet War Rooms in the cellars of Whitehall. Basically, it's Churchill's bunker from where he made so many momentous decisions during the bleakest days of the war. I saw it and was impressed.

And try and work in Stonehenge. I'm amazed how many British citizens have never visited the site.

[Tribesman]

For your backup idea you must consider that its Olympics time so crowds and prices will be up accordingly.
If you are doing the IWM then make the most of London and do the Maritime museum as well, likewise with Gosport do the other side of the harbour for its museums too.

As for keeping costs down, go to the north it might be grim but its a lot cheaper;)
But seriously, even in London B&Bs are fairly cheap and there is no shortage of reasonable hotels either, plus with their London transport system it is very easy to get around.
Also on a costs thing, make sure you get all the best travel discount cards, they may seem like a silly expence on vacation but in reality they pay for themselves very quickly(sometimes in just one train journey). Another thing on public transport over there is to buy tickets in advance as you can make huge savings.
Oh and despite what the Brits will tell you their public transport isn't bad and in London it is excellent.

[TarJak]

If you are going as far as Stonehenge, then you have to visit Portsmouth and HMS Victory.

[Egan]

The Imperial War Museum is brilliant. One of my favourites. Get their as early as you can because it gets busy very quickly. I'm going to be in London in a couple of weeks but I'm skipping the IWM this time in favour of RAF Hendon and the V&A (I want to go see their new photography gallery.)

Tribesman is right - despite what Londoneres will tell you, the Underground is great.

Also, Not military related I know but if you are going to be in London you really should try to visit the British museum. I could bang on about the two Tate galleries and a whole slew of other places but the British museum really is very impressive.

As for Stonehenge, well, their are other stone circles across the country which may not be as big or famous as Stonehenge but probably retain more of an atmosphere. An neighbour of mine when I was growing up had part of one in her garden. If you get the chance to visit Stonehenge, cool. Personally, I always think of Spinal Tap when I hear the name. :O:

[Jimbuna]

Better include a tour of the light cruiser HMS Belfast. Otherwise jimbuna will throw you into the Thames. :O:



Lol...If your coming to the London Jason, HMS Belfast is a must see....that 6" cruiser is the biggest vessel left of a navy that was once the largest in the world.

[Egan]

Lol...If your coming to the London Jason, HMS Belfast is a must see....that 6" cruiser is the biggest vessel left of a navy that was once the largest in the world.

I must actually and try to get along there myself this year if I have time. Never been.

[Jimbuna]

I must actually and try to get along there myself this year if I have time. Never been.

Yeah...it's a worthwhile visit.

[Herr-Berbunch]

I'd say definately the IWM, BM and personally I'd want to visit the Natural History Museum too. HMS Belfast and Churchill's War Rooms also are a must, as is Victory and the other Gosport/Portsmouth museums.

Regarding Stonehenge - yes it is impressive how the stones arrived there and the questions of why/how/when, but there are a couple of points - The A303, the main road past is notoriously jammed - nothing to do with the stones but it's one of the main routes to the S.W. of the country from London, it's dual-carriageway up to Amesbury (where I used to live/work for a couple of years, so I'm talking from experience) and then single for the next x-amount of miles past the Henge. It has a permanent fixture on Sally Traffic's Travel Reports on BBC Radio 2. :cry:

The actual site at Stonehenge is tiny, always looks massive on the telly, but it really is disappointingly small - about 100' diameter. I'd rather go to Avebury, a village surrounded by stones - about 1300' diameter - and it has a nice pub near the middle. Also not far from Avebury are some prehistoric mounds and the like, as well as the fabled White Horse chalk drawings on the side of hills.

As for when you should come, the 2012 games finish on the 12th of August, and the Paralympics on the 9th September so I'd try for after then, you've also got the advantage of the kids being back at school, and it's usually still good weather.

I've never had a problem getting around London using the Tube, and I'd recommend that over hiring a car in the city - save that for your excursions farther afield. Another must, and I think if possible we should get quite a few of us together, is a Sunday at The Church http://www.thechurch.co.uk/ I've not been since it's moved from Kings Cross but if it's anything like it was it is a brilliant, if a little bit drunken, few hours of your life. :yeah::rock:

I think I'd be able to pop down for a day or two for a museum or two, I'll bring my doggy snacks :up:

[nikimcbee]

I gotta research how I want to get around:hmmm:.
Maybe hire a subsim member.:hmmm:


http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/History-and-heritage/Portsmouth.htm

http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Destinations-and-Maps/Cities-and-towns/Newcastle-Gateshead.htm



Learned something new, Rowan Atkinson is from..... Newcastle:haha: Jim's uncle?:hmmm::haha:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Mr Bean was originally going to be Mr Buna but US test audiences thought it sounded too Italian.

:arrgh!:

[Sailor Steve]

Mr Bean was originally going to be Mr Buna but US test audiences thought it sounded too Italian.
Hmm, shows what I know. It always sounded to me like a Pacific Islander thing.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Hmm, shows what I know. It always sounded to me like a Pacific Islander thing.

Ah, you refer to Mr Boona. Or there is the Asian Mr B'hna.

[Jimbuna]

Learned something new, Rowan Atkinson is from..... Newcastle:haha: Jim's uncle?:hmmm::haha:

The wifes cousin :sunny:

[Reece]

Surely you will extend your tour to include Scotland Niki!:yep: You will have to do a lot of Googling for tourist information of the various areas, the biggest obstacles would be accomadation and transport IMO, I wish you luck!:up:
I am starting to get a little nervous myself, I have never been outside of Australia and that may change sometime around September next year according to my better half, what do you reckon Jim?;)

[nikimcbee]

Good grief, I just looked up exchange rates.:o Pound-USD

So much for the strong dollar.:dead:

I think it'd be cheaper to flight the Boooona and Herr-Berr out here.:hmmm:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Good grief, I just looked up exchange rates.:o Pound-USD

So much for the strong dollar.:dead:

I think it'd be cheaper to flight the Boooona and Herr-Berr out here.:hmmm:

Hang on, I think my passport exired recently! ;)

At least we'd be guaranteed a limo on arrival.

[Jimbuna]

Surely you will extend your tour to include Scotland Niki!:yep: You will have to do a lot of Googling for tourist information of the various areas, the biggest obstacles would be accomadation and transport IMO, I wish you luck!:up:
I am starting to get a little nervous myself, I have never been outside of Australia and that may change sometime around September next year according to my better half, what do you reckon Jim?;)

Sorry Reece but you've lost me there? :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Good grief, I just looked up exchange rates.:o Pound-USD

So much for the strong dollar.:dead:

I think it'd be cheaper to flight the Boooona and Herr-Berr out here.:hmmm:

Well if next years SubSim Meet becomes a reality and London came to be the chosen venue you could simply hitch a ride on Neals private jet :yeah:

[Reece]

I will send a PM Jim!:yep:

[nikimcbee]

Sorry Reece but you've lost me there? :hmmm:

I think what Reece is saying, is that he's never left the prison colony.:arrgh!: But I think that is the idea.

I don't know how Tarjak escaped though.:hmmm::dead:

[nikimcbee]

Well if next years SubSim Meet becomes a reality and London came to be the chosen venue you could simply hitch a ride on Neals private jet :yeah:

That 's a goal of this trip; turn it into s subsim holiday:yeah:. I'll tell you, our last subsim meet was perfect. Not a lot of people showed up, but it made movement and accomidations very easy.


My big hang up in going to London, is that I want to see the country, but I don't want to spend all of my time on trains and busses. I'd love to hire a car, but driving customs/laws are the polar opposite of the US, so I think that's just asking for trouble.
So for example, how long does it take to travel from London to Portsmouth? On the map it says it's ~80 miles/ 130km:dead:. Now if this was the US and I was driving this is an hour trip for me.

So for people in the know what is the best/fastest way to get there?

Just thinking outloud at this point.:hmmm:

Maybe I could hire Jim as a tourguide? I'll pay for the fishnchips and beer:yeah::hmmm:. Wanna go on a wee holiday Jim?

[nikimcbee]

hopefully, it will work out better than my last trip to England. It was fun meeting Steed and his owner.:haha:

[Reece]

I think what Reece is saying, is that he's never left the prison colony.:arrgh!: But I think that is the idea.:hmmm::dead:
Damn that's close Niki, TarJak sent me a cake with a file inside,:yep: almost cut through now!:arrgh!:

hopefully, it will work out better than my last trip to England. It was fun meeting Steed and his owner.:haha:
Did you have to use spurs, or maybe even a whip?:hmmm:

[nikimcbee]

Damn that's close Niki, TarJak sent me a cake with a file inside,:yep: almost cut through now!:arrgh!:


Did you have to use spurs, or maybe even a whip?:hmmm:

As Seen on National Geographic:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=176054

[Reece]

Ah yes!! That brings back some memories Jason!:yep: No further comments required!:oops:

[Jimbuna]

Turkey leg :DL

[nikimcbee]

Thinking about April or May. (would be easier to budget for):hmmm:.

When does tourist season start/end over there? Plus there's the olympics, must avoid that circus at all costs.

[nikimcbee]

Plus I gotta figure out how I'm going to see the Newcastle Aviation Museum.:hmmm:

[Herr-Berbunch]

6-9th April is Easter - things will be closed or busy, and there is another public holiday on 7th May.

@Turkey Leg? The offer was fish, chips and beer, and you reduce it to turkey leg? You're cheapening yourself. :O:

[CCIP]

Plus I gotta figure out how I'm going to see the Newcastle Aviation Museum.:hmmm:

Is that the new name for Jim's diecast collection? :D

[Oberon]

Don't forget the RAF Museum, free to enter and has some lovely aircraft in it. :yep:

[nikimcbee]

Is that the new name for Jim's diecast collection? :D

Gold star for you good sir.:salute:

[nikimcbee]

Don't forget the RAF Museum, free to enter and has some lovely aircraft in it. :yep:

Now where is that at? I've never meet an aeroplane museum that I didn't like.:up:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Now where is that at? I've never meet an aeroplane museum that I didn't like.:up:

Hendon, North London. :yeah:

Free to enter but you do have to pay for car parking, if you're parking a car.

[Egan]

Hendon, North London. :yeah:

Free to enter but you do have to pay for car parking, if you're parking a car.

I'm going in a couple of weeks when I'm down. Looking forward to it.

[Betonov]

If there's a Subsim meeting in London, I'm there :DL

[Jimbuna]

Is that the new name for Jim's diecast collection? :D

Gold star for you good sir.:salute:

38 in the cabinet now...just waiting until they're all positioned and can juggle the final display to what I like....Gulf War, Desert storm etc.....or even by make, not sure yet :doh:

[Jimbuna]

If there's a Subsim meeting in London, I'm there :DL

If there were 50 similar posts from individuals I'd guarantee you that by the time of the Meet you would be lucky if 20% actually showed up :DL

[nikimcbee]

If there were 50 similar posts from individuals I'd guarantee you that by the time of the Meet you would be lucky if 20% actually showed up :DL


Sadly this is true. Maybe I'll bug Neal to so if he wants to do an official subsim meet. (in London:D) Haven't seen much of Neal (@subsim) lately.:hmmm: Must be busy:06:.

[nikimcbee]

38 in the cabinet now...just waiting until they're all positioned and can juggle the final display to what I like....Gulf War, Desert storm etc.....or even by make, not sure yet :doh:

So what is admission to the museum?:D

[Madox58]

Ummm........
How big a suit Case you takeing?
:hmmm:
I'm a pretty small Guy and don't eat much.
:haha:

[nikimcbee]

Ummm........
How big a suit Case you takeing?
:hmmm:
I'm a pretty small Guy and don't eat much.
:haha:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTcjyZ_4Curh273AJNVCZGXHxstAk7PU sJ1V72wA-NaGSguCyRfjtgy4Bm6Fg

[Jimbuna]

So what is admission to the museum?:D

No admission charge and 40 in position now.

I'm photographing each stage for a separate thread later so may as well wait until all the collection is in position :sunny:

[Herr-Berbunch]

No admission charge and 40 in position now.


But the parking charges are extortionate! :o

And then there is the vehicle protection scheme whilst parked in South Shields, i.e. pay Jim or pay for new tyres/windows/paintwork/fire service.

Those shelves aren't going to pay for themselves you know! :O:


If McBee is coming to London, and others want to join to make it more of an event then that's great, if a date can be confirmed sooner rather than later then it'll give everyone a chance to at least try to raise funds/get time off. :yeah:

[Jimbuna]

Give him time to sound Neal out.....the Onkel is the head of the organising dept.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Give him time to sound Neal out.....the Onkel is the head of the organising dept.

I know that but it's McBee's trip, anybody else coming is surely a bonus. Rather than make it official only for some to drop out for whatever reasons if it was left to 'if you're there, you're there' then there would be less disappointment if fewer turned up than expected.

:DL

[Jimbuna]

I know that but it's McBee's trip, anybody else coming is surely a bonus. Rather than make it official only for some to drop out for whatever reasons if it was left to 'if you're there, you're there' then there would be less disappointment if fewer turned up than expected.

:DL

I take your point but Jason is only a minor (least the size of one) :DL

It would be far safer if he didn't travel alone :O:

[Herr-Berbunch]

I take your point but Jason is only a minor (least the size of one) :DL

It would be far safer if he didn't travel alone :O:


:har:

It's ok, I've looked it to it here (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/pet/public/en_gb) :smug:

[Oberon]

Hendon, North London. :yeah:

Free to enter but you do have to pay for car parking, if you're parking a car.

Take the tube, it's just a short walk from Colindale station. You cross the road, turn left, and take the...second or third exit at the roundabout, follow the road as it curves to the left slightly and the Museum is on your right. Ten minutes tops.

Not that I've done it many times or anything... :haha:

[nikimcbee]

If McBee is coming to London, and others want to join to make it more of an event then that's great, if a date can be confirmed sooner rather than later then it'll give everyone a chance to at least try to raise funds/get time off. :yeah:

So Herr-Berr, I can't just so up on your doorstep then?
http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/Shrek_2_Cat-eyes_L-01.jpg

You wouldn't turn ol fat McBee away? Would you?

[nikimcbee]

I take your point but Jason is only a minor (least the size of one) :DL

It would be far safer if he didn't travel alone :O:

What are you saying?
http://www.mi6-hq.com/images/stills/tmwtgg_49_280.jpg

[Herr-Berbunch]

What are you saying?
http://www.mi6-hq.com/images/stills/tmwtgg_49_280.jpg


Nick-Nack McBee :D

No, I wouldn't turn you away but best I know you're coming so I can stock up on some bacon.

And beer, proper beer, none of this lite-shhhtuff. :nope:

[STEED]

When's a good time of the year to go?

Winter, less crowds. ;):smug:

[Jimbuna]

Winter, less crowds. ;):smug:

That's about ten months of the year then :DL