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Post by TallPaul on Jan 25, 2020 14:29:50 GMT
I don't know if this is of any use to you, Dawnstar , or indeed anyone travelling to or from East Anglia. For bookings until 9 February, and travel upto 5 April 2020, Greater Anglia is offering return fares of £10, £15 and £20. I suppose it's a trade-off between a lower fare and a longer journey into Liverpool Street. More at www.greateranglia.co.uk/harefares
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 25, 2020 14:40:22 GMT
TallPaul Not really, unfortunately. While I often get the Liverpool Street line down to London my mother insists I get the Kings Cross line back, as the late night trains from Liverpool Street can get quite empty after about Bishop's Stortford so she worries I'll get murdered/raped/mugged/whatever. Therefore I have to get the more expensive tickets that allow me to come back via Kings Cross. Except for today & all the weekends over the next year and a half when Kings Cross will be closed so I don't have that option but the Liverpool Street line will be much busier because of the lack of Kings Cross.
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 25, 2020 16:04:21 GMT
We should always listen to our mothers, or those old enough to be our mother, like my very good friend Tibidabo. 🙂 I've often thought that what TheatreBoard needs (apart from more positivity about new musicals 😉) is an 'I acknowledge your response and thank you for it' button. For the avoidance of doubt, I obviously don't 'like' the thought of anything unspeakable happening to anyone.
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Post by Dawnstar on Jan 25, 2020 16:41:38 GMT
It's also that she's the one retrieving me from the station at midnight every week!
Yes, an "acknowledge" button would be useful both on here & on social media.
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Post by Tibidabo on Jan 26, 2020 8:19:15 GMT
We should always listen to our mothers, or those old enough to be our mother, like my very good friend Tibidabo. 🙂 I've often thought that what TheatreBoard needs (apart from more positivity about new musicals 😉) is an 'I acknowledge your response and thank you for it' button. Yes. Quite. And you obviously didn't listen to your mother TallPaul when she taught you to respect your eld betters. Personally I'd like an 'I squirt a squidgy raspberry up your device' button.
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 7, 2020 13:30:42 GMT
After all the stress booking your train tickets, I hope have an uneventful trip tomorrow, Dawnstar. With Storm Caira on its way, Saturday is the day to travel this weekend, so your timing is perfect! Be prepared to not sit in the seat you thought you'd be sitting in, though, as LNER has had a habit recently of swapping its trains around. If you still need to book your tickets, basi1faw1ty, affordable advance tickets for 11 April are now on sale. The secret, I have discovered, is to search only for tickets to Bradford Foster Square; searching for either Bradford (any) or Bradford Interchange will return stupid prices, but you can book to Bradford Foster Square for £18.50. As the fare to Leeds is also £18.50, you're getting the final leg for free!
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 7, 2020 14:55:41 GMT
After all the stress booking your train tickets, I hope have an uneventful trip tomorrow, Dawnstar . With Storm Caira on its way, Saturday is the day to travel this weekend, so your timing is perfect! Be prepared to not sit in the seat you thought you'd be sitting in, though, as LNER has had a habit recently of swapping its trains around. So do I. I got to Milton Keynes & back yesterday with none of the trains more than a couple of minutes late so that was a good start to 3 days running of theatregoing. As I can't remember where I'm booked to sit I probably won't notice anyway, as long as I get to sit somewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2020 12:02:18 GMT
I did a recent trip to London and it was on that very weekend Dawnstar mentioned with Kings Cross being shut. I didn’t know about it until fairly recent, so I ended up flying Edinburgh to Gatwick as it worked out to be the most cost effective option. Then there were problems on Southern rail so I ended up going to London Bridge and not Victoria. Thankfully on the way back Southern was up and running so I actually managed to get back to the airport from Victoria. Usually I like getting the train as it’s more relaxing but it was a nice change flying for once.
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 8, 2020 14:00:39 GMT
Be prepared to not sit in the seat you thought you'd be sitting in, though, as LNER has had a habit recently of swapping its trains around. You were right. I've just got on the train to find that coach D, where my reservation was, is actually a 1st class coach & there are no reservations throughout the train. Fortunately the train is quiet so there are plenty of seats available but it does make me wonder why you're encouraged to make a reservation if the train company can just get rid of them!
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 17:35:08 GMT
Any expert opinions on whether Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall is do-able in 40 minutes? On a Sunday with the District & Circle lines closed. I supsect I'm being hopelessly over-optomistic even contemplating it...
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Feb 15, 2020 17:57:13 GMT
Any expert opinions on whether Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall is do-able in 40 minutes? On a Sunday with the District & Circle lines closed. I supsect I'm being hopelessly over-optomistic even contemplating it... Tight but doable. 5 minutes walk to Angel Station, Northern Line to Euston, Victoria Line to Victoria. then C1 or 211 bus to Sloane Square. Cadogan Hall is only about a mile from Victoria so a cab wouldn't be too much. I've walked it in 20 minutes. Which Sunday ?
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 18:28:05 GMT
Any expert opinions on whether Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall is do-able in 40 minutes? On a Sunday with the District & Circle lines closed. I supsect I'm being hopelessly over-optomistic even contemplating it... Tight but doable. 5 minutes walk to Angel Station, Northern Line to Euston, Victoria Line to Victoria. then C1 or 211 bus to Sloane Square. Cadogan Hall is only about a mile from Victoria so a cab wouldn't be too much. I've walked it in 20 minutes. Which Sunday ? Next Sunday, 23rd. I'm booked for Zorro at Cadogan Hall, which starts at 6.30pm, & have now just discovered that a dancer I like is appearing in a show at Sadler's Wells which starts at 4pm & has an estimated running time of 1h50. If only either the matinee started earlier or the evening started later!
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Post by clair on Feb 15, 2020 20:05:43 GMT
On that note - Knightsbridge is closed due to crane operations that weekend so buses will be diverted onto other roads in the area which may well be a nightmare! Bear that in mind when you look at routes so it's not a nasty surprise on the day
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 20:18:10 GMT
On that note - Knightsbridge is closed due to crane operations that weekend so buses will be diverted onto other roads in the area which may well be a nightmare! Bear that in mind when you look at routes so it's not a nasty surprise on the day Knightsbridge is going to be closed next weekend? That's not on the TfL website for 23rd. Damn, I was planning to get the Piccadilly line from there to Kings Cross afterwards.
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Post by clair on Feb 15, 2020 20:19:27 GMT
Tube will be ok - it's the roads that are closed with diversions - last time they did that some diversions took an hour!
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 15, 2020 20:36:34 GMT
Tube will be ok - it's the roads that are closed with diversions - last time they did that some diversions took an hour! I hope I'll still be able to walk up Sloane Street to get to the tube.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Feb 15, 2020 20:43:23 GMT
Tight but doable. 5 minutes walk to Angel Station, Northern Line to Euston, Victoria Line to Victoria. then C1 or 211 bus to Sloane Square. Cadogan Hall is only about a mile from Victoria so a cab wouldn't be too much. I've walked it in 20 minutes. Which Sunday ? Next Sunday, 23rd. I'm booked for Zorro at Cadogan Hall, which starts at 6.30pm, & have now just discovered that a dancer I like is appearing in a show at Sadler's Wells which starts at 4pm & has an estimated running time of 1h50. If only either the matinee started earlier or the evening started later! I'm also seeing Zorro, hadn't realised Sloane Square tube was closed so this will affect me and plenty of others too. I'm at the King Alfred Phoenix Theatre near Golders Green for Tom Sawyer starting at 3pm so hoping to be out before 5.30pm. You could consider Message In a Bottle instead, that starts at 2pm at the Peacock Theatre. It's the only dance show I've ever seen and I was blown away by it.
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Post by Dawnstar on Feb 16, 2020 12:22:24 GMT
I'm also seeing Zorro, hadn't realised Sloane Square tube was closed so this will affect me and plenty of others too. I'm at the King Alfred Phoenix Theatre near Golders Green for Tom Sawyer starting at 3pm so hoping to be out before 5.30pm. You could consider Message In a Bottle instead, that starts at 2pm at the Peacock Theatre. It's the only dance show I've ever seen and I was blown away by it. I've just looked it up but it's not something I'd be interested in seeing. I like ballet but not modern dance. If I decide I can't manage Sadler's Wells to Cadogan Hall then I'll probably end up at TCAABR yet again!
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 18, 2020 10:33:28 GMT
I notice that Ola the competitor to Uber launched in London last week. And in researching that found that there’s a longer established competitor in London called Bolt. I’m a regular uber rider, has anyone tried these other options? How do they compare?
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Post by Dave B on Feb 18, 2020 10:51:14 GMT
I notice that Ola the competitor to Uber launched in London last week. And in researching that found that there’s a longer established competitor in London called Bolt. I’m a regular uber rider, has anyone tried these other options? How do they compare? I've used Kapten a bit. Found it to be a little cheaper than Uber for standard fares (Note: I've seen surge fares go A LOT higher and not used them). Also found there's a weekly discount code they email out for usually about £6 off a trip which is then re-usable four or five times within 7/10 days.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Feb 19, 2020 0:14:09 GMT
Here's a quick run through of my latest jaunt, probably enough to put anyone off using public transport for a theatre trip.
I travelled yesterday to see Billy - The Musical at Hinckley in Leicestershire. No matinees so had booked to stay overnight at Leicester Travelodge. Room only cost £25 in the sale. National Express both ways for £11 return, a quarter of the train fare from London. It costs me £9 to get to and from London Victoria by train and the theatre ticket was just £10 so total cost of trip a reasonable £55.
I arrived at Victoria Coach Station from Kent at 13.10 for the 13.30 service to Leicester, scheduled arrival 16.45. Announced initially it would 20 minutes late leaving as driver had to take a 30 minute break due to delay on coach's previous journey from Leicester. We were told boarding at 13.40, departure 13.50. Not a problem as I had allowed almost three hours leeway to get from Leicester to the show. At 13.45 we were informed driver's break was 45 minutes, boarding would be 13.50. Driver finally appeared at 13.57 but because the layout at Victoria Coach station means passengers have to walk across the departure roadway to board coaches he was told to wait for the 14.00 services to various destinations to go. Boarding started 14.05, departed eventually 14.15, awful traffic going out of London, slow on M1 through extensive roadworks, arrived Leicester an hour late. I had intended to check in at the Travelodge 10 minutes walk away before the show but decided to go straight to Hinckley by local bus. Arrived there at 18.45, show started at 19.30.
Show finished 21.50, a bus back to Leicester had left at 21.45 so 55 minutes wait for the next and final one,last train was leaving even later. No McDonalds, and Wetherspoons closed down last year. Fortunately a pub/restaurant by the bus station was open for a coffee and keeping warm. Reached the Travelodge at 23.40.
This morning booked on a 09.20 service from Leicester back to London. Quick breakfast at Subway, arrived coach station 09.10. Regular announcements, first one just before 9.20 " London service expected to arrive in about 10 minutes", second at 09.30 exactly the same message, third about 09.45 "a few minutes away". At 09.50 coach pulled in BUT with a very flat back tyre!. It had happened just around the corner so no advance warning. At 10.20 announcement that a replacement coach would be arriving at 10.40. The 10.30 service to London arrived and departed on time. It was almost full and could only have accommodated maybe 10 of the waiting c40 passengers so nobody was given the chance to board it and we were again told replacement coach at 10.40. At 10.50 a coach arrived for Birmingham. The young lady who had been making announcements spoke to the driver and the dozen or so passengers for Birmingham were asked to get off and told there was another Birmingham service a few minutes away. We boarded this coach and it left at 11.00 just 100 minutes late. As I boarded a man said loudly - I kid you not - something like "good luck folks, that drivers's a bleedin' maniac". I think the "replacement coach" was this Birmingham one all the time and the policy seemed to be to drip feed the delay 10 minutes at a time.
I had the seat near the front with extra legroom. The driver was regularly so close to the vehicle in front that he had to break sharply several times. He kept switching lanes and on two occasions even overtook in the outside lane, illegal for coaches. I decided I didn't want to see this and closed my eyes and dozed off. First and only stop was at Milton Keynes, arrived there at 12.08. Driver then said he had to take a 30 minute legal break and we were to be back at the coach at "Half past two". People groaned. I said "surely you don't mean that", he replied. "Sorry I mean half past one" , me "no that's not right either." He looked confused and asked what the time was and I told him ! He then said we'd be departing at 12.40 which we did. His driving was no better for the remainder of the journey. The coach arrived Victoria Coach Station exactly two hours late at 14.20. I know I can claim the fare back but we weren't told that. Neither driver made an apology on behalf of National Express.
Would I do it all again just to see a(n amateur) musical 150 miles away? Of course i would and already have two similar trips booked. Not to Hinckley though !
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Post by TallPaul on Feb 19, 2020 15:30:05 GMT
I can't match my namesake's tale of woe, but I did start to worry yesterday that, partly due to my own incompetence and partly Northern's, I wouldn't arrive in Hull in good time for The King and I.
Although I can catch a direct service to Hull, it's a journey I've made numerous times so I decided, on this occasion, I would go via Leeds for a change of scenery.
First, I boarded the wrong train in Leeds, and found myself heading west, rather than east. I should probably have twigged when everyone else was sitting facing what I thought was the wrong direction. That'll teach me to be smug!
Then the train bringing me back to Leeds went, mysteriously, from being on time to running 15 minutes late, so I missed the next train to Hull by just minutes.
On my third attempt, I did find myself on the correct platform, but by then it was the rush-hour, so I was just one of 500* waiting to board an ancient two carriage train, built in 1988 by Leyland. I don't think I've ever seen a scrum like it, but somehow almost everyone squeezed onboard. Far from ideal but I'm finally on my way, I thought...until the conductors (two for some reason) cheerfully announced that some passengers would have to disembark; not because of any concerns about our safety, but because they couldn't open the door to their cubby-hole.
Any other time, and as one of the last to board, I like to think I would have taken one for the team, but this really was the last train that got me to Hull in time for the overture. Thankfully, enough people did alight, and we left Leeds 'only' ten minutes late, which increased to 15 by the time we arrived in Hull.
And ironically, by the time we reached the part of the journey that was new to me, it had gone dark, so I didn't get the change of scenery I'd planned!
*A slight exaggeration, but not by much.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2020 15:39:33 GMT
⬆️ Northern powerhouse
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Post by dippy on Feb 19, 2020 16:13:05 GMT
Got a question, I'm planning on booking an overnight bus back to London after I see Back to the Future. I have a feeling not many people on here go on overnight buses but for me they're perfect, I can sleep and travel all in one go. I've not done much travel recently and see that booking specific seats on both National Express and Megabus seems to be a thing.
So, on a random Tuesday night how full is the bus likely to be? Basically I have no problem sitting next to someone on a bus for hours on end but at night when I really want to sleep two seats makes a massive difference especially when you're not very tall and can sleep reasonably well lying on both seats. I can't imagine it'll be busy but anyone got better knowledge than me? If it's busy is there any advantage to booking one of the seats? Are you more or less likely to get someone next to you if you do that?
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Post by Dr Tom on Feb 19, 2020 17:44:24 GMT
So, on a random Tuesday night how full is the bus likely to be? It's a few years since I've done it, but those overnight coaches used to get really full. Can't really help with the booked seat question, but I presume they let everyone into their booked seats first, then people take their pick of the rest. Assuming the booked seats are in the most desirable positions, I'd imagine the people who don't pay will go for the spare booked seats first.
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Feb 19, 2020 18:08:58 GMT
What’s the comfort like on these cityto city coach services these days? Legroom? Seat width? Facilities?
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Post by dippy on Feb 19, 2020 18:24:22 GMT
So, on a random Tuesday night how full is the bus likely to be? It's a few years since I've done it, but those overnight coaches used to get really full. Can't really help with the booked seat question, but I presume they let everyone into their booked seats first, then people take their pick of the rest. Assuming the booked seats are in the most desirable positions, I'd imagine the people who don't pay will go for the spare booked seats first. I know they get quite full, but I do know the last one I went on (back in June) wasn't full and I got to sleep properly. As far as I remember it's mainly the ones at the weekend that fill up the most. Hmm, you could be right about the seats, the bookable seats are the ones at the front. What’s the comfort like on these cityto city coach services these days? Legroom? Seat width? Facilities? Not that comfy, more space sitting in a theatre seat if you ask me! Don't think I've ever been to the loo on a coach so I can't answer that for you.
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Post by FrontroverPaul on Feb 20, 2020 0:59:12 GMT
Got a question, I'm planning on booking an overnight bus back to London after I see Back to the Future. I have a feeling not many people on here go on overnight buses but for me they're perfect, I can sleep and travel all in one go. I've not done much travel recently and see that booking specific seats on both National Express and Megabus seems to be a thing. So, on a random Tuesday night how full is the bus likely to be? Basically I have no problem sitting next to someone on a bus for hours on end but at night when I really want to sleep two seats makes a massive difference especially when you're not very tall and can sleep reasonably well lying on both seats. I can't imagine it'll be busy but anyone got better knowledge than me? If it's busy is there any advantage to booking one of the seats? Are you more or less likely to get someone next to you if you do that? I did this journey last year, a Wednesday night, with National Express from Manchester to London. I had two seats to myself, no reservation, as I think did all solo travellers. One way to almost certainly get two seats is to reserve one,it's then unlikely anyone will reserve the one next to you but when you get on you sit on the one you haven't reserved and leave the reservation notice on the other seat. Sneaky but should work unless the coach is fully booked. People with reserved seats don't board first. It's a two part journey with about 45 minutes break in Birmingham at Digbeth Coach station. You don't have to get off but most people did if only to avoid using the on-bus WC. The coach travels mainly on A roads with roundabouts, traffic lights etc.so lots of slowing down and stopping , plus all the calling points have to be announced and people get on/off at most. I found it harder to sleep than on motorway journeys. I think Megabus sticks more to motorways but has no equivalent break at Birmingham.
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Post by dippy on Feb 20, 2020 12:11:41 GMT
I did this journey last year, a Wednesday night, with National Express from Manchester to London. I had two seats to myself, no reservation, as I think did all solo travellers. One way to almost certainly get two seats is to reserve one,it's then unlikely anyone will reserve the one next to you but when you get on you sit on the one you haven't reserved and leave the reservation notice on the other seat. Sneaky but should work unless the coach is fully booked. People with reserved seats don't board first. It's a two part journey with about 45 minutes break in Birmingham at Digbeth Coach station. You don't have to get off but most people did if only to avoid using the on-bus WC. The coach travels mainly on A roads with roundabouts, traffic lights etc.so lots of slowing down and stopping , plus all the calling points have to be announced and people get on/off at most. I found it harder to sleep than on motorway journeys. I think Megabus sticks more to motorways but has no equivalent break at Birmingham. That's a clever trick about sitting in the unreserved seat! Glad you had two seats to yourself, hopefully I will too! There were quite a few options for coaches but I picked the megabus one in the end. There were 3 different National Express ones, one that stops 10 times, one where you need to change and one that only stops 4 times on the way. The one that only stops 4 times was tempting, but as it (and all the other National Express ones) was going to Luton I thought it would possibly have more people.
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Feb 21, 2020 18:46:56 GMT
Tube will be ok - it's the roads that are closed with diversions - last time they did that some diversions took an hour! I hope I'll still be able to walk up Sloane Street to get to the tube. Be careful walking in Knightsbridge. My no go area of London now. Last time I was there two open drugs deals in front of me, fighting and a distant gun shot. Added to that it is now used as a race track. Very moody area at night
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