Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 17, 2017 21:42:15 GMT
As I am from the grim north, I need some advice about travel around the Smoke...
I need to visit five properties around London; specifically Ruislip, Addlestone, Sydenham, Horley and Bromley/Chiselhurst. Likely to spend a maximum of an hour at each property. The first three are retail properties in the centre of the location and probably close to public transport. Horley, which is the only one I have visited previously, is a 20 minute walk from the train station and Bromley is a house close to Elmstead Woods train station.
My original thought was simply to drive down and stay overnight near Ruislip and do these in one day before driving home, but the thought fills me with some trepidation of fatigue and accidents. I could stay a second night, but it seems a waste. Then I realised that I have seminar in London (not sure where but probably somewhere central) a few weeks away, so maybe I could fit it around that.
So, next thought was train to Euston one morning, pick up a rental car and drive around in an anticlockwise direction, arriving at Chiselhurst in time for late afternoon tea (as I am simply meeting a client as a courtesy, being 'in the area'). Return the car to Euston and stay in a hotel near to the event the next day, then train home.
But this is still about 122 miles in and around London and on the M25/M23. Not sure if this is sensible (I wouldn't think twice about it in the North West)? Any suggestions are have I found the best solution?
Edit - Client is paying for the majority of the trip so cost not really an issue. Also Espadrille (being a Londoner), suggested train to Watford as it is easier to start the journey there, pick up the rental car and return to wherever I need to be for the seminar..
|
|
|
|
Post by Hofmeister on May 17, 2017 22:03:45 GMT
As I am from the grim north, I need some advice about travel around the Smoke... I need to visit five properties around London; specifically Ruislip, Addlestone, Sydenham, Horley and Bromley/Chiselhurst. Likely to spend a maximum of an hour at each property. The first three are retail properties in the centre of the location and probably close to public transport. Horley, which is the only one I have visited previously, is a 20 minute walk from the train station and Bromley is a house close to Elmstead Woods train station. My original thought was simply to drive down and stay overnight near Ruislip and do these in one day before driving home, but the thought fills me with some trepidation of fatigue and accidents. I could stay a second night, but it seems a waste. Then I realised that I have seminar in London (not sure where but probably somewhere central) a few weeks away, so maybe I could fit it around that. So, next thought was train to Euston one morning, pick up a rental car and drive around in an anticlockwise direction, arriving at Chiselhurst in time for late afternoon tea (as I am simply meeting a client as a courtesy, being 'in the area'). Return the car to Euston and stay in a hotel near to the event the next day, then train home. But this is still about 122 miles in and around London and on the M25/M23. Not sure if this is sensible (I wouldn't think twice about it in the North West)? Any suggestions are have I found the best solution? Edit - Client is paying for the majority of the trip so cost not really an issue. Also Espadrille (being a Londoner), suggested train to Watford as it is easier to start the journey there, pick up the rental car and return to wherever I need to be for the seminar.. All locations (except Sydenham) are quick dashes on and off the M25. (addlestone is 2 miles away from Schloss Nogbad). If it were me it would be drive down day 1, overnight hotel nr m25 Ruislip. Day 2 visit in anti clockwise direction, day 2 night Hotel nr Dartford Crossing, day three travel home. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2017 17:26:27 GMT
Great. That is what I thought might be the sensible route. Thank you. Still waiting to see if I should drive down or get train to Watford and pick up a car.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 17:44:47 GMT
Just realised...if I drive north through the Blackwall tunnel is there a toll or some dodgy auto collection where I get fined for not having a tag or something?
This is a drive from Chiselhurst to Manchester next Thursday early evening.
Ta
|
|
|
|
Post by Hofmeister on Jun 9, 2017 17:55:38 GMT
Just realised...if I drive north through the Blackwall tunnel is there a toll or some dodgy auto collection where I get fined for not having a tag or something? This is a drive from Chiselhurst to Manchester next Thursday early evening. Ta The Tunnel is free, and there is no congestion charge on the northern side, assuming you are ploughing straight up the A12. Not my route of choice tho! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 18:20:02 GMT
Well that was the next question.... Mr Google suggested it, but I wonder if M25 is better or simply use Waze instead.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hofmeister on Jun 9, 2017 18:30:39 GMT
Well that was the next question.... Mr Google suggested it, but I wonder if M25 is better or simply use Waze instead. From experience and choice it would be M25 every time, hitting the North Circular is not a recommended past time. However, I'd advise you to do a google maps route option live at the time you wish to leave. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2017 18:34:53 GMT
Thanks. My car will be wired up for two navigation apps but having looked more carefully the M25 route does look sensible. Any tolls or weird stuff on that route?
|
|
|
|
Post by Hofmeister on Jun 9, 2017 21:22:22 GMT
Thanks. My car will be wired up for two navigation apps but having looked more carefully the M25 route does look sensible. Any tolls or weird stuff on that route? QE2 bridge toll. Pay on the net when you get home |
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jun 10, 2017 8:16:50 GMT
Doesn't your Merc have "comand" ? It just works out where the traffic hold ups are and routes you around them. Are you sure yours doesn't have that? No?
Pity...
😎
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2017 10:15:16 GMT
But it does have two more cylinders..... Smooth beats tech every time.
|
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jun 10, 2017 13:41:40 GMT
Beats it in regularity of trips to the filling station for sure...
😉
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2017 21:56:27 GMT
OK. 540 miles round trip just completed. 205 miles last night Manchester to Ruislip. Remainder today (Ruislip, Addleston near Brooklands, Horley near Gatwick, Sydenham, Chiselhurst and then home).
Thanks to Nogbad for his suggestion of going home via the M25 and Dartford Tunnel. Only problem was the junction of the A2 and M25 was shut due to an accident. Anyway I picked it up one junction north and made good progress via a stop at the services at Stansted. Today the car averaged 40mpg accoridng to trip computer - it exaggerates the economy by about 5% - and I was cruising on the speed limiter at an set 80mph. Last night which was purely motorway for 200 miles and at 75mph I got 44mpg.
Hope now. ready for beer...
|
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jun 16, 2017 15:28:02 GMT
40 mpg?
Gosh
All those extra cylinders to fill I suppose?
😜
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2017 17:14:05 GMT
Worth every penny  |
|
