h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Why not colleges and punting on the Sunday? Or even the Monday or Tuesday? Going to Oxford twice doesn't make sense even if we're based in Cheltenham. Why do we have to go punting on the Saturday? Have I missed something?

Just a thought - a quick trip to Scotland could be done during the first week - ie before Chelsea - and that would free-up time during the second week for Bath, Avebury, Stonehenge, Oxford, York etc.???

If Hyp wants to visit the north of England, e.g. York, then it makes sense to me to add the Scotland trip onto a brief stay in Leeds. Flying to Scotland and back one week and then going half way back up the following week just to see York doesn't seem to me to be an effective use of time or money.

We need to know if Hyp wants to come North.

So we are going punting? This is so cool.

Errrr, exactly how good a shape am I going to have to be in for the flower show? I'd better go into training. the days are getting longer and I can start walking Annie more. And I've been thinking of doing laps on the first floor. The way it is arranged, it makes a perfect walking or jogging track.

Amy, Ben, Z, Teuchter, Mr. D, Kelli, all of you..... this is all just wonderful. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

Amy, I want to see everything. That's the problem. I'd love to go up north. But I don't want to create problems for the rest of you.

You know where everything is, how long it takes to get there, how much time once we're there, etc. There's no way to do the entire country in the time I'll have. So, the things to leave oput would appear to be the ones that creatge the biggest hassle for the rest of you.

I'm so delighted to be coming that any plans will be acceptable with me. And I'll want some time just to spend getting better acquainted with all of you.

A plan will emerge eventually, when we've all chipped in our ideas .

You will need to get into training for Chelsea, Hyp. It is huge. I also think you need a relatively quiet day the day afterwards, just in case.

A plan for a 'Scotland loop' middle part of the visit might look something like this:

26th Hyp does something quiet near or in London with those available midweek, maybe Caer and Teuchter. Amy travels south. Minimeet meal.

27th Chelsea Flower Show - return to Teuchter's house. [NB not moving on to Ben's yet because we can't take luggage to Chelsea]

28th Something quietish e.g. a minimeet picnic at Stonehenge and Avebury which ends up with Hyp [+ luggage] and Amy at Ben's.

29th Oxford by car. [Hyp to take subset of luggage with her.] Colleges, punting. Ben drops Hyp and Amy at Milton Keynes for coach trip to Leeds.

30th pootling around West Yorks. Meet northern contigent for a curry in Bradford in the evening.

31st York and then straight on to Edinburgh or Glasgow on the late train?? Stay in Scotland? DD? Munchers?

2nd Hyp travels from Edinburgh to Cheltenham on train. Ben collects Hyp from station.

4th Ben hands on to Kelli

I think there is a real danger of trying to pack too much into the fortnight, and in over-planning.

Ok, ok, I tend to prefer to travel with the main structures in place, and then leave lots of room for happenstance, but even so, I am concerned that this is getting the teensiest bit overplanned.

That said

1) No reason why one shouldn't go to Oxford twice. Once for a Busy Day and once for a Lazy Day. I know bugger-all about the colleges but I do know how to punt.

2) Avebury and Stonehenge are a long-day-trip from Cheltenham, and not combinable with any activities not directly en route. Fortunately, Mr & Mrs D and Swindon *are* directely en route.

3) Hypatia, dear heart, you can take a train anywhere and anytime you like. You can even come to visit me in Cheltenham by train, if that is what you desire.

My suggestion - and it is no more than a suggestion, is that we work out what things require tickets or are cheaper or easier booked ahead, and then we let Hypatia compile her list and let happenstance, the weather and whim determine which order she does them in.

Things which need booking a good way ahead:

Chelsea
A Train Trip

Things which need booking a bit ahead:

The London Eye
Punting
Days off, (eg Mine for a start, and Phil and MC, f'rinstance)

I can certainly take two or three days off. I can - at a pinch - take a week off, but I would be more comfortable if it were not assumed that I could do so.

Ben

At some point y'all need to load Hyp onto a tourbus and let her do the sights of London: is that the midweek thing, Amy? I was thinking it would be a nice follow up to the Chealsea flower show, particularly as it's quite gentle, but then I keep forgetting that Hyp isn't staying in London. Don't forget she wants to see the British Museum!

Hypatia, I am coming to the British Museum with you!

If you fancy a day in London with me doing museums and culture as well as another day seeing the sights, then I'd really enjoy that. I will have to introduce you to some of my favourite paintings at the National Gallery as well..

You're also welcome to come and stay with me in Birmingham, either for a day or perhaps longer if you want to, sometime in the first week, not sure why *anyone* would want to come to Birmingham... but we can offer.

The botanical gardens
http://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/

A trip on a steam train.
http://www.svr.co.uk/

Well, I'll be getting there on the 20th and the flower show isn't until the 27th. So, that gives me time to spend in London doing the museums and art galleries with Z and whoever else wants to come. Agapanthus said she wants to do the art galleries.

But B is right. There are several weeks to work out a plan.

Z, I would be glad to visit you in Birmingham. Thwe botanical garden looks lovely. And I didn't know there were still steam trains.

When we go to Oxford can we go to the Bodleian Library?

I think that the Bodlean is only open to members of the University, and I am not clear whether or not that includes alumni. Oxford Alumni aren't that hard to track down, and I guess we could always advertise on askh2g2 for current students. If there aren't any Oxford Undergrads, then it must be the only university in the country without h2g2 representation.

B

Don't think we need worry about booking for the London Eye, not midweek anyhoo. So that doesn't need to pin us down to a day. the British Museum and art galleries can be every bit as knackering as the flower show. I actually find the British museum deadly boring, or did 10 years ago, I hope it's been perked up a bit. The V&A is more my thing, but it's not my trip

Good heavens the stupid dog was away rabbit hunting again...late as usual!
Hyp I am twenty minutes from Heathrow and 30 from Gatwick have loads of space and am actually quite good in the early mornings. just need to go back and check on the thread as to whether you land at the weekend or in the week but am more than happy to do the collect if it is W/E.
If you are planning a home counties/London activity then I have space for those who want to come in from further afield. 2 beds and floor space!
Hope you all had a good weekend in the shires folks and sorry I couldn't make it. Playing Uptown Granny was exhausting!
Take care
Boots

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Unfortunately if we decide this as the definite date for Stonehenge/Avebury I'll have to cancel as I'm LARPing between the 27th and 30th.

Can I ask a favour? When we are talking about dates do you think we could include the day of the week too? I can't barely keep this week in my head let alone several months ahead! The reason I ask is that I will probably be up for weekend-type activities but don't have any spare annual leave for weekday ones.

I was going to suggest that one of the transitions between accomodation points takes place via train, but that will depend if there are any with direct train routes. I am guessing that however lightly Hyp packs she will acquire stuff as she goes and won't want to be lugging too much stuff between trains and platforms.

Hyp, you are more than welcome to come to me before saturday the 4th if you want to, and do your own thing (or nothing!) during the day when I am at work. I'm not proposing to plan anything but just so you know that the option is there if you want a bit of a rest before going home.

k

Well, it just seems rude to do Stonehenge and Avebury on the days that Mr D is LARPing. But I am crap at dates and things.

B

Hypatia, you want trains, come and stay with me for a few days and you'll be heartily wishing for a car back. I live opposite a station and don't drive, I usually take a train at least twice a day!

If you want to visit Wales why don't we spend the day going to Aberwystywyth or Barmouth or even Llandudno, it's a lovely jounry by train from Birmingham and the 'on the day' (ie not booking in advance) fares are reasonable.

If it's raining we could spend the day doing something indoor and arty in Birmingham!

I think I can swing a visit to the Bod. The only fly in the ointment might be that it's a bank holiday. I can but try.

On a tight schedule, Oxford isn't worth two days. Let's try to do it in one.

I tend to agree with you about Oxford not being worth two days. On 'tother hand I was at school there, and loathed the place, rather than being at University there and loving it. I also think that punting should be done leisurely.

Can you really get Hyp into the Bod? *impressed* If the numbers are limited, (and I don't really deserve a treat like that), then I'll take Z off to the Pitt Rivers. He'll like the Shrunken Heads.

B

Ooh that sounds fun! I like shrunken heads..