"Weavers to invade UK" Topic

After far too long between seeing old friends, Weavers are finally making it back to the UK. We know we'll be in London (Islington, really) and Birmingham (King's Heath, honestly) for part of that time. At the moment negotiations are in effect for Nottingham and/or York.

We'll be there around 3 weeks, and plan to get a cheap pre-paid phone for while we're running about. No, I utterly refuse to drive in the UK; not getting run over because I'm looking the wrong way to cross the street will be bad enough.

Any suggestions for things to see and do will be very helpful, please.

So, any TMPers want to try to link up for at least a drink, even if we can't fit anything else in? Please reply here or (if you're a supporting member and prefer to do so) PM either mweaver or me.

Have fun storming the castle!

Have a great time!

Have fun, y'all, and eat a steak and kidney pie and/or a cold pork pie for me while you're there!

Oh yeah, don't forget the pictures!

Birmingham (King's Heath, honestly)

Best of luck…don't go out after dark. It has improved in recent years admittedly…

There are moves to rename King's Heath to Kings Heath. Apostrophes are confusing Satnav programmers.

You know, I probably should have clarifed: we're leaving here on the 10th (so we'll arrive on the 11th) of July, and coming home 4 August.

Have you been to York? It is my very favorite English city. I even stayed there the night before a flight back home, and took an early train back to London/Heathrow. That was in better times for train travel, though. Not sure I'd risk it now. York is large enough to have many things to see and do, but small enough to walk around. The wall walk is a bit of a hike, but most of it is well worth the trouble and quite do-able in one day. There are also many very good restaurants and pubs aplenty. Even after many visits, I still love coming back and strolling the shambles. A progressive lunch during market day is the best, going from vendors and stalls sampling as you go.

For the London part, make the buses your friend. The trains and tube will get you into and around the City, and you guys probably have that part figured out. My North London area friends live in Crouch End, and use and know the bus routes. Get some help and break the code. Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace make for lovely outdoor destinations. Both feature wonderful views of the London skyline. One year I was there, "Ally-Pally" had the Antiques Roadshow happening. Another time there was a huge model railway show. A good day trip can be put together for several castles in the area. I can suggest several, as I am a castleholic.

While you have time before you go, do a search for reenactment groups doing events at Historic sites. I typically go over in April and early May, which is before the season kicks off. I did get to see an event put on by the Sealed Knott, and It was great fun. It was the thing that propelled me into gaming ECW, so beware!

If you are interested in theater at all, I can strongly recommend seeing a performance at the Globe Theatre in London. This is also a summer-only thing, but well worth it, as the cost is low, especially for the pit, and the performances I've seen are top-notch. I got to see all 3 shows there a few years ago when the women of the company did "As You Like It" with an all-woman cast. (the men get a go at the traditional all-male cast, as well, more frequently)

Wish I were going too, but I did get to go to Ireland last fall, so no tears. (sniff)

We have not been to York, but we are certainly planning a visit this time around.

Have you been to Bath? That's a must if you can.

Oh, and have you been to the Wallace Collection (Art Gallery and Museum) in London?

Most famous for our old master paintings and 18th century French porcelain and furniture, the collection also includes one of the finest collection of princely arms and armour in Britain as well as gold boxes, miniatures, sculpture and Medieval and Renaissance works of art such as maiolica, glass and Limoges enamels.

They have a room where you can try on bits of armour, and is home to the famous pic the Laughing Cavalier.

link

I did my first car hire out of York. It was every bit as daunting as Neotacha thinks, for the first 20 minutes. I headed North out into the Yorkshire countryside, and was gliding through lovely terrain on one-lane roads in no time. There is no "wrong side" on a one track road. By the time I had to return to York, I had made the switch without much problem. I still walk around to the "wrong" door from time to time, feeling quite silly when I do so.

I would never try and talk you into a car hire. There are plenty of things to see by public transport and on foot. The plus side is that you don't have to worry about the car when you don't need it. As the English will tell you, parking is a bother.(insert bad word of choice) Only nutters and experienced locals drive in and around London.

I would agree with Mrs. Pumblechook that Bath is lovely. You could day-trip to there. It would be nice if you could find a cheap day return fare. Otherwise, Bath would be an overnight. It would be a shame to go that far and not go further into West Country. Even three weeks will go by quickly, and you can't get everywhere. Check to see if the "Oxford Express" is still going from Marble Arch. Getting up to Oxford for a day is quite fun and very affordable and fast. The bus used to run very late into the night. I met young folks going up for a concert from London.

Trains have gotten a bit more complex. There are many different companies serving various directions that used to be all British Rail. There are some very good fares if you buy tickets in advance. I took the Virgin train up to Shrewsbury for 12 Quid, but had to buy it 7 days in advance. Coming back down cost me about 60, because there was no full time station in Wales where I joined the return train.(paid the conductor)

There are SO MANY places to visit in London, you will have to be selective. Try and focus on areas with several things to see, as getting around eats time. If you hit South Kensington, mix the Nat. History with the new re-done Victoria and Albert. The excellent Science Museum is right there, too. If the weather is decent, walk up to Kensington Gardens to break up the Museum stuff with some green. Also Harrods is just down the street from Vic and Al. The British Museum can include a side trip to the Seven Dials area, home to the Orc's Nest and Neal's Yard cheese shop, plus fun and wacky shops on down into Covent Garden. Or, you could divert 2 streets West to Charring Cross Road for all the great book stores. On a trip to the Southbank area and the Globe, drop in on the Tate Modern. Even if modern art is not your "thing" the building is cool. Just over the Millennium foot bridge is the dome of St. Paul's calling out for a visit. I'm guessing you have done the Tower on previous visits.

Take the Docklands Light rail out to Greenwich. The Navel Museum has just been re-done, and the Navel College was planning a big new exhibit when I was there a few years ago. Go up Greenwich hill to the observatory, and hop over the time line. The area here is very pretty, with views along the River and a genial small town atmosphere. Lots of very good lunch options, or gather a picnic for the park around the observatory.

As an unapolegetic tankhead put the Bovington Tank Museum on your itenerary. Of course since I am an unapolegetic tankhead feel free to ignore me. Have fun salut et bon voyage y'all!

Bruce the Texas Grognard

not that I expect you can get to Bovington without driving, but….

When Mr P and I went there, it was on condition we visited Monkeyworld which was about 5 mins drive away. He couldn't keep me away from the Lemurs.

Come and visit Windsor Castle! I'll show you around.

Mike

Monkeyworld? You've doomed us now, Mrs. P. If we find someway to get there sans car I'll never get Weaver out again.

"Weavers kidnapped by monkeys"reads the headline…

Seriously, stop me if I am rambling on. I was hoping you would get some help from some UK folk, especially about the Midlands part. I admit to only being there for the time it took to change buses or trains. On the way to York is a great stop-over at Leeds. This is the home of the Royal Armouries, and much of the armour collection from the Tower has gone up there. Top-notch museum, and they do jousting displays there in Summer. I got my professor friend to divert his student bus trip here a few years ago, and now it is a regular stop for them. Even the coach driver went it and enjoyed it!

If you are travelling around London by bus or tube get yourselves an Oyster card each; link

Saves you money on ticket prices and you can get a refund on any portion you don't use.

If you fancy a trip on the London Eye, you could combine it with a trip to the nearby Southbank Centre link and if you manage to sneak out on your own on a Thursday evening you can get a game at the Exiles, we would even buy you a drink or two uk.geocities.com/exiles2005

Ezza

Gefreiter1: What do you do at Windsor?

I live here. :^)

Mike