Trip to London/Amsterdam

[krashkart]

Just got word that I'm heading to Europe for ten days sometime in the near future. So I thought I should drop by here and ask for some advice. What sort of things are there to do in London and Amsterdam? Sights to see? Places to stay away from? People to hang out with? Local customs I should be aware of so I don't accidentally offend anyone?

[nikimcbee]

Holy crap! Good to see you!:Kaleun_Cheers::Kaleun_Cheers: Hope things have been going good for you. If you're going to London, get a picture of Steed. Bonus points if you play a practical joke on him. TP his flat.:hmmm::up:

Pictures or it didn't happen. Have a good time.

There's that cruiser (HMS Belfast?) in London.

[krashkart]

I'll definitely post pics. :yep: Nice to see you again, niki. :salute:

[STEED]

London - RAF Hendon

Jim and I both seen the new hanger and lay out and we both like the place and its now free to get in.

[bertieck476]

A pleasant day in London for me would comprise of visiting Greenwich, here you have the Cutty Sark, Maritime Museum, Observatory and the Meridian Line and probably one of the finest views over London.
From here you can travel on one of the sightseeing riverboats (not the fast clippers) where the crew give an "alternative" guide to the river and sights (highly recommend). You can take the boat to Tower Bridge or further up to Westminster where you will be in easy reach of Tate Modern, Big Ben and Westminster, London Eye, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square etc etc.
I wouldn't like to live or work in London but for a day or two visit its pretty good.

Have a nice time Bert.

[krashkart]

Why limit myself to London? I'll be there for four days, so if I manage my time right I might be able to take a couple of short jaunts out to see some other sights and still have enough time left to join my friends back in town for evening libations. :woot:

How much does it cost to ride the trains there in England? And how likely is it that I could make a trip to, say, Birkenhead, take a tour of U-534, and arrive back in London in time for dinner? :hmm2:

Edit: Just found the website for National Rail. I got this.

[Jimbuna]

In addition to Hendon and the Belfast I'd suggest Duxford and the IWM.

[Herr-Berbunch]

London to Liverpool on a train? You'd prolly be better getting to Laboe from Amsterdam.

[Aktungbby]

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/00/b1/00/the-london-eye.jpgDon't forget fine dining at Rules (reservations), a visit to the British Museum(current Viking exhibition); the Imperial War Museum with extension: HMS Belfast (below); and a ride on the Eye ^ right alongside the Thames: all within walking distance (wear good tennis shoes). The cab services and metros are fabulous; best big city I've ever been in.:yeah: The tour to Laycock and Stonehenge are a one day guided bus trip must and includes Windsor Castle. And of course the Tower and Henry VIII's armor...just to see if you measure up!?:doh:http://www.iwm.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/local/%28722x270_IWM_SITE_BELF_000602.jpg (http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast/exhibitions)http://www.iwm.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/small_map/public/images/menus/google-map-belfast%28365x180%29.jpg?itok=6oQtEYFY (http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/HMS-Belfast/directions)http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/4/1/1238544402314/Henry-VIII-Dressed-to-Kil-002.jpg

[krashkart]

Thank you for all the great suggestions so far, guys! I think I have enough now to start putting an itinerary together for the UK portion of the trip. :salute:

Amsterdam will be more challenging. I'll only have three days there. :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Thank you for all the great suggestions so far, guys! I think I have enough now to start putting an itinerary together for the UK portion of the trip. :salute:

Amsterdam will be more challenging. I'll only have three days there. :hmmm:

A great spot to visit in Amsterdam would be The Banana Bar....and I speak from personal experience :03:

[Betonov]

I hate sightseeing.

I'd just blend in with the pulse of the city and take in the landmarks as I meet them.

[krashkart]

A great spot to visit in Amsterdam would be The Banana Bar....and I speak from personal experience :03:

*initiates web search*
*finds result*

Outstanding. :har:

Not sure I'd go there, but thanks for the suggestion anyway. :rotfl2:

[TarJak]

Good to see you around again Bert be careful of what sort of cookies you buy in the cafe's in Amsterdam. If you are in the UK in July you could join up with a few of the subsim crew like I'm planning to do. I think Anze is going to be there then and planning on getting Jim,Oberon,STEED and bossmark into a pub at som point.

[nikimcbee]

The Banana Bar....and I speak from personal experience

:o
I'm afraid to ask.:haha:

[krashkart]

Good to see you around again Bert be careful of what sort of cookies you buy in the cafe's in Amsterdam. If you are in the UK in July you could join up with a few of the subsim crew like I'm planning to do. I think Anze is going to be there then and planning on getting Jim,Oberon,STEED and bossmark into a pub at som point.

Good to hear from you again, TarJak. (and Jim, too. I almost forgot my manners.) I've missed this place fiercely. :salute:

I think I might do that. UK/NL in July, meet you guys at last, have a ball. Maybe find the woman of my dreams when I visit The Banana Bar in Amdam (:yeah:). Buy her a ring and some of those cookies you warned me about (:yeah::yeah:). Yeah, I think the timeframe for and ultimate purpose of this adventure is beginning to emerge now. :hmmm: If I can arrange my trip for July, you can definitely count me in on that meet. :yep:


Edit: Wait a minute. Were you talking to me or Bert? Sorry if I jumped into a channel I don't belong in. :huh::oops:

[bertieck476]

Im Bert but Im not going to Amsterdam :hmmm:

[bertieck476]

I hate sightseeing.

I'd just blend in with the pulse of the city and take in the landmarks as I meet them.

I know what you mean, but if your time limited you would miss so much of a city like London.

[TarJak]

Good to hear from you again, TarJak. (and Jim, too. I almost forgot my manners.) I've missed this place fiercely. :salute:

I think I might do that. UK/NL in July, meet you guys at last, have a ball. Maybe find the woman of my dreams when I visit The Banana Bar in Amdam (:yeah:). Buy her a ring and some of those cookies you warned me about (:yeah::yeah:). Yeah, I think the timeframe for and ultimate purpose of this adventure is beginning to emerge now. :hmmm: If I can arrange my trip for July, you can definitely count me in on that meet. :yep:


Edit: Wait a minute. Were you talking to me or Bert? Sorry if I jumped into a channel I don't belong in. :huh::oops:

I meant you krash. I spelled kart but my phone decided that it preferred Bert.

[krashkart]

I meant you krash. I spelled kart but my phone decided that it preferred Bert.

Auto-correct is a major PITA sometimes. :)

[bertieck476]

I meant you krash. I spelled kart but my phone decided that it preferred Bert.

I get that all the time:D

[Herr-Berbunch]

I think Anze is going to be there then and planning on getting Jim,Oberon,STEED and bossmark into a pub at som point.

No, it's absolutely fine, I'm not offended at all. I didn't want to drink beer with you guys anyway. :-?

[TarJak]

Good. :O: Sorry Tony. I didn't forget you on purpose.

[krashkart]

beer

Beer? There will be beer? How did I miss that memo. :hmm2:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Beer? There will be beer? How did I miss that memo. :hmm2:

Hello, McFly - knock, knock, knock! It's Britain, we drink beer, proper beer. At customs you'll get a form to renounce all 'merican beers as something for the kids on spring break and your future loyalty to the likes of Shepherd's Neame, Theakston's, . . . the list goes on.

In our little piece of earth we have quite a few breweries -

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=767&pictureid=7389

[krashkart]

Impressive. :yep:

[fireftr18]

:o
I'm afraid to ask.:haha:

I'm not afraid to ask. Jim, what's the story? :D

[TarJak]

None of them crappy red plastic cups either. Proper English pints in proper English pint glasses.

[Herr-Berbunch]

To be honest, the likelihood is the glasses will be made by Arcoroc in France. :oops:

But despite that they don't crack at the first sign of stress so no wastage.

[Betonov]

Already saving money for July :up:

[Jimbuna]

*initiates web search*
*finds result*

Outstanding. :har:

Not sure I'd go there, but thanks for the suggestion anyway. :rotfl2:

If you do, be sure to get a postcard from there...my missus still has hers :sunny:

[krashkart]

If you do, be sure to get a postcard from there...my missus still has hers :sunny:
I'll be sure to keep that in mind. :)


Is there a definite timeframe set for the meet-up in London?

[Jimbuna]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. :)


Is there a definite timeframe set for the meet-up in London?

I've absolutely no idea...us pensioners are usually the last to find out and the wife is pushing for a holiday or house refurbishment in July.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Probably boils down to TarJak, he's got some set items to work around (bloomin' families). For me early July would be perfect as I'd be down in the big smoke anyway.

[Jimbuna]

London? Big Smoke? :o

[Egan]

In addition to Hendon and the Belfast I'd suggest Duxford and the IWM.

Oh, is the IWM open again? I thought it was to be closed for a couple of years.

Sweet if it is. I'll be going straight back when I get down in a month or two.

[Jimbuna]

Oh, is the IWM open again? I thought it was to be closed for a couple of years.

Sweet if it is. I'll be going straight back when I get down in a month or two.

Reopens on 19th July this year as far as I'm aware.

[TarJak]

I think I've narrowed it down to the week before the weekend of the 19th July. I'm clear for the Monday through Wednesday that week. I'm flexible with the venue so for me it doesn't have to be London but if that's easier for everyone else then that's ok too.

[mapuc]

If I could I would gladly visit Holland again. Was there in 2005.

Markus

[Jimbuna]

I think I've narrowed it down to the week before the weekend of the 19th July. I'm clear for the Monday through Wednesday that week. I'm flexible with the venue so for me it doesn't have to be London but if that's easier for everyone else then that's ok too.

Looks like a need for advanced planning.

[TarJak]

Getting the wife to decide on what we're doing is the first step. :roll:

[Jimbuna]

Isn't that usually the case...wouldn't earache during the entire trip now would we :)

[nikimcbee]

http://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000017120106-u070xc-crop.jpg?d53bf9f

[Betonov]

let me guess

Monthy Python ??

[krashkart]

let me guess

Monthy Python ??

Pink Floyd :yep:

[Herr-Berbunch]

Pink Floyd :yep:

From the Animals album.

Bonus point for knowing which company made the inflatable pig?

:rock:

[TarJak]

From the Animals album.

Bonus point for knowing which company made the inflatable pig?

:rock:

Jeffrey Shaw and Hipgnosis

[krashkart]

From the Animals album.

Bonus point for knowing which company made the inflatable pig?

:rock:

I give. Who made the inflatable pig? :)

[Herr-Berbunch]

I give. Who made the inflatable pig? :)

Zeppelin. Not Led.

Well, technically the name was Ballonfabrik.

http://www.batterseapowerstation.org.uk/floyd/floyd.html

[krashkart]

Zeppelin. Not Led.

Well, technically the name was Ballonfabrik.

http://www.batterseapowerstation.org.uk/floyd/floyd.html

Noted for future bonus points.

Edit: not sure why, but I always remember Battersea as Battlesea.

[TarJak]

Zeppelin. Not Led.

Well, technically the name was Ballonfabrik.

http://www.batterseapowerstation.org.uk/floyd/floyd.html

Possible contradiction:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Floyd_pigs#Animals

[nikimcbee]

http://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000017120106-u070xc-crop.jpg?d53bf9f

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOqblSqx_VI

[Betonov]

The Floyds were sure fond of that factory

[Herr-Berbunch]

Hipgnosis design album sleeves, I doubt they'd construct the balloon themselves.

[krashkart]

Just out of curiosity, how much should I expect to pay for a beer in the UK? :06:

[nikimcbee]

So when are you going again?

[krashkart]

So when are you going again?

It's looking now like I'll be there in early May. Cheaper airfare. :hmmm:

[TarJak]

Just out of curiosity, how much should I expect to pay for a beer in the UK? :06:
The price depends on what and where you are drinking. A can of Pisswasser Lager in Jim's front room is cheaper than a pint of Speckled Hen in a London pub.

[krashkart]

I found a couple of sites that show beer prices, and what did my eyes see? Coors selling for $11 US a pint. Budweiser was a buck or two cheaper. I buy a six-pack of 16-oz. Bud for about half that ($6.65) down at the corner market. Somebody's wallet was plundered if you ask me. :nope:

[Jimbuna]

In my local club beer is £1.40 a pint but that isn't the norm elsewhere.

Prices vary dependant on area and brand.

[Betonov]

Jim, we're gonna have a big chat about local drink and bed&breakfast prices around your place :03:
The distance from Deal is too great to make just one afternoon visit and I don't want to be a burdeon to the household

[Jimbuna]

LOL :)

[Tribesman]

I found a couple of sites that show beer prices, and what did my eyes see? Coors selling for $11 US a pint. Budweiser was a buck or two cheaper. I buy a six-pack of 16-oz. Bud for about half that ($6.65) down at the corner market. Somebody's wallet was plundered if you ask me. :nope:

Not really a comparison.
If you go to their local branch of Walmart(ASDA) you can buy a dozen half litres of bud for the price of a couple of pints in a normal pub, 4 pints in a decent pub or one pint in a tourist trap.

[Jimbuna]

As an example, a case of 20 x 500ml cans of Carling Black Label or Carlsberg is currently £12 at my local ASDA.

[krashkart]

rgr that. I wish I could stop looking at the exchange rate from USD-->GBP, but I'm not done planning. *heavy sigh* :(


Are there any good ruins (ancient or modern) to explore along the coast? I'm not looking for anything touristy. Just a day trip to get out of the confines of the city for awhile and relax by the sea. Decided I'd better take the opportunity to see the ocean while I'm there. :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Where exactly in the UK will you be?

[krashkart]

London, for at least part of the trip.

[nikimcbee]

Remember, I want a souvenir from Steed's flat. Maybe a hubcap off his Auto:hmmm:

[krashkart]

Remember, I want a souvenir from Steed's flat. Maybe a hubcap off his Auto:hmmm:

I guess that all depends on how close I can get to his vehicle without him noticing.

Edit: On that note, driving on the left is gonna feel so weird... :doh::D

[TarJak]

For once you'll be driving on the right side of the road.

[Jimbuna]

London, for at least part of the trip.

Then beer will be quite expensive all over the area.

[Sailor Steve]

For once you'll be driving on the right side of the road.
No, he'll be driving on the left.

Oh, you meant the "correct" side.

Of course the whole right/left = right/wrong thing stems from the dexter/sinister thing, but I hope you don't think I'm being gauche for saying so.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Then beer will be quite expensive all over the area.


I'm hoping for a relatively cheap beer in London when I go to see the Pythons.

UJ Club :woot:

[TarJak]

No, he'll be driving on the left.

Oh, you meant the "correct" side.

Of course the whole right/left = right/wrong thing stems from the dexter/sinister thing, but I hope you don't think I'm being gauche for saying so.

Gouche? Vouz? Non!

[Jimbuna]

I'm hoping for a relatively cheap beer in London when I go to see the Pythons.

UJ Club :woot:

I used to seek out a Wetherspoons.

http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk/home/pubs/find/Greater+London