Post here if you need a lift to the LAN, or flight details if you need pickup from an Airport. The main London ones are usually best, if possible. We will do our best to sort you out!
I would appreciate a lift from Stansted please on Thursday and back Sunday:
Easyjet EJU7927 arrives at Stanstead 11:10
Easyjet EJU7920 departs Stansted at 19:30 (Arrive no later that 17:30)
Cheers,
Albert
Same flights for me as Greig/albert.
New flights:
Outbound Flight
Thursday, 06 October 2022
13:35 Amsterdam (AMS)
14:05 East Midlands (EMA)
Operator: Flybe
Flight No: BE1054
Inbound Flight
Sunday, 09 October 2022
14:35 East Midlands (EMA)
17:00 Amsterdam (AMS)
Operator: Flybe
Flight No: BE1055
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Change of plan for Duv and I. Easyjet cancelld the return flight and put one on at 8am which ain't gonna happen.
So we are now flying into East Midlands Airport, Gunda has kindly offered to drop us off on the Sunday therefore we do still require a pickup on Thursday.
Flight details:
Outbound Flight
Thursday, 06 October 2022
13:35
Amsterdam (AMS)
14:05
East Midlands (EMA)
Operator: Flybe
Flight No: BE1054
Inbound Flight
Sunday, 09 October 2022
14:35
East Midlands (EMA)
17:00
Amsterdam (AMS)
Operator: Flybe
Flight No: BE1055
Is anyone travelling up from/via London with some space I could occupy?
Hire car prices are a little bit nuts at the moment so I was considering risking the train(strikes) and they can be a little complex. I'm based in N1/Islington and I can get to somewhere to link up.
If it sounds like even a vague possibility please drop me a message - my timing should be relatively flexible.
Hi Kittens - My tiny fluffy Dutch Kittens that is
reckon i can help ya right there so to confirm EMA @ ???? 14:35 or 17:00
let me know and it's a done deal - btw no worries with either time (and stop shouting at the screen the others who know already - i like a mystery :))
Can't wait to see ya :)
BTW hope you like 1992 jungle the stereo is proper stuck on it !!!
Quote from: FatBob;448711Hi Kittens - My tiny fluffy Dutch Kittens that is
reckon i can help ya right there so to confirm EMA @ ???? 14:35 or 17:00
let me know and it's a done deal - btw no worries with either time (and stop shouting at the screen the others who know already - i like a mystery :))
Can't wait to see ya :)
BTW hope you like 1992 jungle the stereo is proper stuck on it !!!
Dude!!! Thanks. We're stuck for a lift from East Midlands Airport to March on Thursday 6th. Landing around 2pm so safe pickup is probably 2.30-3pm.
If that's possible, let me know.
:w00t2::rockon::toast: Hiya FatBob, this would be awesome and really help us out if possible.
No Problems - all good with me see ya there :) - how much luggage ya got ? (depends on being picked up in the batmobile or in the wife's focus tractor :) )
A couple of small backpacks and a small holdall at most between the two of us. Depends on what people want smuggled into post-brxit Angerland :)
Duv it pretty tall though, and I'm a bit chunky.
Quote from: suicidal_monkey;448673Is anyone travelling up from/via London with some space I could occupy?
I'm based in N1/Islington and I can get to somewhere to link up.
timing should be relatively flexible.
NB happy to pay for the pleasure :flirty: ... of not having to take a train! Can be in beers or cash (trains start from something like £25 each way)
Fatob has kindly offered to pick Duvel and Albert up from East Midlands Airport. This is very kind but I would rather not put someone out of their way to this extent since FB lives in March and that's a hell of a round trip to make.
So our request still stands, is anyone passing from the North can fit two people with very little luggage into their car for the trip from just South of Nottingham to March? Of crouse we'd pay our petrol costs and a few beers. Thanks
So.. I have a question for the natives.. We are landing at Heathrow at 20:55 on Wednesday, and from googling a bit the easiest way to get there at that time of day would be with a taxi, and while it's not cheap (170£), it does get us there faster with much less hassle than taking the tube to London, train to Peterborough and taxi to March. I found a firm out of Peterborough, aptly named The Taxi Firm, and they look above board. But are there other firms we should check out?
Also we are looking for transport back down towards London on Sunday if possible, Januz is keen on getting tickets to Arsenal - Liverpool as we are staying the night in London before leaving on Monday morning.
I'd maybe look at renting a car?
A quick look on Europcar revealed a cost of around £220 for a rental from Wednesday to Monday.
Gives you a bit more flexibility for the way back, too.
Or you could rent
https://b3talent.com/zebra-rental-dallas-fort-worth/
UBER is about the same cost as the taxi you were looking at. National Express only goes to Cambridge.
I did look in to driving from home to pick you up and drop you off and back again. But it would be 5 hours and 330miles after picking you up and then back home to get the boy to school drop him off then driving back to March :D
Quote from: BrotherTobious;448791Or you could rent
https://b3talent.com/zebra-rental-dallas-fort-worth/
:wub:
Yeah please don't try to pick us up Toby, much rather prefer meeting a day later in one piece :)
The missus is sceptical about getting a rental as you lot drive on the wrong side and it would likely hurt our insurance premiums :D
Not sure how it works for you guys, but when we rent we take out separate rental insurance for the car that is normally cheap as chips. We do this through a separate company, NOT the rental company.
So we are covered with separate insurance rather than our main UK policy.
Quote from: Chaosphere;448793when we rent we take out separate rental insurance for the car that is normally cheap as chips. We do this through a separate company, NOT the rental company.
:withstupid:
Definitely a good idea: car-hire-excess insurance policies :D I have one that covers excess on hire cars in UK and Europe that cost £40 for the year
Hi folks, would someone be available to give myself and the missus lifts from Heathrow on Wednesday, and back on Sunday? We be carrying one hand luggage each and a backpack.
Malta (MLA) > London Heathrow(LHR)
Date: 05/10/2022
Departs MLA: 0715
Arrives LHR: 0945
Operator: AirMalta
Flight: KM100
London Heathrow(LHR) > Malta (MLA)
Date: 09/10/2022
Departs LHR: 2030
Arrives MLA: 0040
Operator: AirMalta
Flight: KM103
Both arrival and departure are using LHR terminal 4
heads up: there seems to be a train strike planned on Wed the 5th, so services will be bad (sometimes non-existent) that day, with probably still a bit of a mess overflowing into the 6th...
Quote from: mirianna;448792:wub:
Yeah please don't try to pick us up Toby, much rather prefer meeting a day later in one piece :)
The missus is sceptical about getting a rental as you lot drive on the wrong side and it would likely hurt our insurance premiums :D
I'm not sure I understand this. We've only ever hired a car and used their own insurance (along with a collision damage waiver if we felt like it). I don't think I've ever heard of anyone using their own insurance. Makes sense of course but you'll only be paying a small amount for the insurance they're offering.
We haven't got a big turnout for this LAN, and some of those who in the past have been able to help with transport from London are not coming.
I'll ping in discord for LAN goers to check out this thread, but if those of you still waiting for transport haven't heard anything within a few days I'd strongly suggest looking for alternate transport. As Monkey has mentioned some rail strikes, a rental car might be a better way!
Quote from: Penfold;448811I'm not sure I understand this. We've only ever hired a car and used their own insurance (along with a collision damage waiver if we felt like it). I don't think I've ever heard of anyone using their own insurance. Makes sense of course but you'll only be paying a small amount for the insurance they're offering.
It's different in other countries, although given today's send off for QE2 (GBHS) you'd have thought only the UK existed in the world. I loved how they put world leaders in buses.
We insure the vehicle in NL, so all that crap about second named driver is not required. A valid driving license past your probation period does the trick. Also it is possible to get insured as an add on for greenwheels, hire cars etc.
Quote from: Chaosphere;448812We haven't got a big turnout for this LAN, and some of those who in the past have been able to help with transport from London are not coming.
I'll ping in discord for LAN goers to check out this thread, but if those of you still waiting for transport haven't heard anything within a few days I'd strongly suggest looking for alternate transport. As Monkey has mentioned some rail strikes, a rental car might be a better way!
From what I can see it is Miriana et al, and Gorion and his better half that still need to sort transport from London Heathrow.
Miriana arrives on
Wednesday night.
Gorion arrives on
Wednesday morning.
Both need to be back on Sunday.
Miriana et al might have sorted a car rental by now?
It may be worth you looking at the same Gorion, if no one suggests they can help soon!
NB for getting back into London on Sunday the current status is that trains are running (https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/MCH/London/091022/1100/dep?excludeslowertrains) ... which is my current likely plan (Pen's offer of a lift to Cambridge gives you more options of trains from there direct to London)
Is there really no one who would be able to provide a lift from Heathrow, even if its in the afternoon? Perhaps we can take a bus to put us closer to someones route?
I understand that the price of fuel has gone up, and I honestly don't mind filling the tank guys. For us to rent a car just to get to the lan and back is expensive, and to be honest, a waste of money :(
Quote from: suicidal_monkey;448819NB for getting back into London on Sunday the current status is that trains are running (https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/MCH/London/091022/1100/dep?excludeslowertrains) ... which is my current likely plan (Pen's offer of a lift to Cambridge gives you more options of trains from there direct to London)
Yes course. I'm not sure where my post went but I'm coming from to March Friday AM and back Sunday.
Cambridge would be the closest mainline station I can drop to which has direct trains to Liverpool Street or Kings Cross depending. Stansted Airport is also another option if as needed.
Quote from: Gorion;448820Is there really no one who would be able to provide a lift from Heathrow, even if its in the afternoon? Perhaps we can take a bus to put us closer to someones route?
I understand that the price of fuel has gone up, and I honestly don't mind filling the tank guys. For us to rent a car just to get to the lan and back is expensive, and to be honest, a waste of money :(
It's the same for all us LAN goers coming from aborad this time. We have a very generous offer from FatBob to pick Duvel and I up from East Midlands Airport, but that means he has to do a 4 hour round trip and I would rather not put anyone through that. It's 42 Euro single on the train via Nottingham and takes 3 hours to March. If that's running we'll grab it otherwise FatBob is our only hope. I'd rather someone passing get us.
Maybe for future LANs, an arrival window for travellers can be agreed so that it falls in sync with people passing. For example, we see a lot more people arriving on a Wednesday. LAN used to be Friday to Sunday, so there is a lot less chance of getting a positive hit on a lift with 3 possible arrival days. That might mean some UK folks agreeing to arrive on a Thursday to help out. I can't see our LANs surviving for us non-UK without some sort of compromise. Unless folks are happy with us just not making the effort to attend and that's the end of the conversation.
Sorry but if the UK folks think this is easy for us foreign travellers just to hire cars, catch the overpriced trains or throw in another 3 or 400 quid more than we already fork out just to get to the LAN, then think again. It's probably costing me £400 before I even factor in getting from the airport to the LAN, food, drink, drink, more food.
I see 8 out of 30 of the LAN attendees are coming from abroad this time. I would like to see more people like FatBob offering to go to the next level to help. Otherwise our LAN would be a half full room of UK folks with no representation from the international side of dMw.
Something to think about, and yes there is a recession outside the UK too.
You are right Albert, we have already spent â,¬450 for the flights. Add hotel, food and drink expenses, and the cost will be around â,¬1500. A car rental and insurance on top of that is more than my monthly income...
At this point, I'm considering throwing away the flight money and staying home, never to bother again. After all, we come to the lan to meet and reconnect with friends, and friends don't leave friends stranded at the bloody airport.
I agree we may be able to do some things to better organise pick up for internationals going forwards. I do appreciate the cost and effort you guys and girls put in to getting over here at all.
This hasn't been as much of an issue before, but with LAN numbers dwindling we are low on people who can help without driving hundreds of miles out of their way. For example were Manchester airport an option for anyone in the future I could plan to help out. 'Arrival windows' might help too, I certainly don't think they would hurt.
At the moment I am planning to bring Jasmine and Lily down with me and drop them off with my parents (who live en route to March), giving them some time with the girls. This leaves me with a full car both to and from the LAN, making pickups difficult. Furthermore, I live just north of Manchester, so London is quite literally the other end of the country for me!
That said if we can't find someone else who is better placed to help, I'll try to look into if I can adjust my plans.
I totally appreciate the reply Chaos, thanks. You should always put family first when an opportunity comes along like this. After all we had enough months with no chance to meet up, catchup is badly needed.
I notice that nearly all attendees are arriving on Wednesday this time around. That was something I didn't consider doing, then we also had an airport change which made the chance to hitch with the Southern living folks a no go.
I think a little more pre-planning next time will help a lot. We'll get ther if we have to crawl the final miles or use the swamps and waterways.
I've messaged a few people to ask if they can help.
If they can't and alternate means are just proving too difficult or too expensive then I will sort it, we won't leave you stranded and I absolutely don't want anyone cancelling their trip.
I'll update when I've had responses!
While i appreciate that people are traveling from abroad to attend the Lan, this unfortunately isn't the first time this has happened. I have done runs to and from Airports int the past, sometime 2 hours each way in the wrong direction. This year unfortunately i cant pick up anyone. I am though picking up Jamm from Peterborough train station at 1730.
Albert and Duvel If you can get on any of these trains ill wait, but if this ain't possible then sorry. I also cant return you all have a full car with the Wife and Jamm
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Quote from: sulky_uk;448827While i appreciate that people are traveling from abroad to attend the Lan, this unfortunately isn't the first time this has happened. I have done runs to and from Airports int the past, sometime 2 hours each way in the wrong direction. This year unfortunately i cant pick up anyone. I am though picking up Jamm from Peterborough train station at 1730.
Albert and Duvel If you can get on any of these trains ill wait, but if this ain't possible then sorry. I also cant return you all have a full car with the Wife and Jamm
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Touched bases with Albert. Back up plans made so it it all goes pete tong, they are aware of me being in Peterborough at 1730
Ok important thing to be aware of with all this planning and sorting. At the moment on the 5th October (yes the Wednesday) there is a train and drivers strike planned so you need to check if your taking a train that there are actually trains running and at the moment don't just assume it.
Also don't panic yet for lifts and pick ups we are looking at options and how best to help out.
both Jamms pickup and plan B for albert and Duvel is the 6th
Quote from: Gortex;448829Ok important thing to be aware of with all this planning and sorting. At the moment on the 5th October (yes the Wednesday) there is a train and drivers strike planned so you need to check if your taking a train that there are actually trains running and at the moment don't just assume it.
Also don't panic yet for lifts and pick ups we are looking at options and how best to help out.
Also just because it's on the 5th, it doesn't mean the isssue won't spill over to the 6th. At this point Duv and I arrive at 14:05 at East Midlands Airport, there's a train leaving at 14:45 and if the planets align we'll be in March by 17:00. Unless trains are displaced and the strike spills into the 6th.
It's a **** show, I know. Thanks to all willing to make this work us.
Just to update...
Miriana has rented a car for the weekend, so that's his group sorted. It cost less than £100, which is actually quite good and likely cheaper than the trains with their current rip off prices!
I found this out just as I went to offer a collection and drop off. Honestly they are probably better off without my driving and soundtrack. :flirty:
Gorion and the Mrs we are still sorting, but will get there.
I have also messaged to ask a couple of people if they are able to grab Albert and Duvel to save FatBob the trip - just waiting on replies.
Well done Mirianna. I think that's the easiest and cheapest solution. Car hire in the UK cheap and way cheaper than the trains - even if there were some. :thumbsup2:
GhostMjr has kindly offered to give us a lift :)
Thanks to everyone who helped out!, appreciate it.
And I'm sorry if the tone/choice of words offended anyone, the situation was depressing and emotions got the better of me..
Quote from: Chaosphere;448842Just to update...
Miriana has rented a car for the weekend, so that's his group sorted. It cost less than £100, which is actually quite good and likely cheaper than the trains with their current rip off prices!
Good man, the left side is the right side!! Last time I got a deal like that it was a Fiat Panda Hybrid and too small to fit 2.5 people. Here's hoping they are not going to give you a small, small, small car.
So that should be everyone sorted.
Still waiting to hear about a pickup for Albert and duvel but at least we have a kind plan B there from fatbob for if that doesn't pan out!
Quote from: Gorion;448848GhostMjr has kindly offered to give us a lift :)
Nice one Mr Ghosty :cheers:
Quote from: Chaosphere;448842Miriana has rented a car for the weekend ... cost less than £100
Where, what, who, how?! I've not seen rental prices that low since early 2020 ... and I (thought I had) searched quite thoroughly
Car hire is always cheaper when it's an Airport pickup and drop off. There's huge competition for business at the airports. It's almost always cheaper to get the train to Heathrow and pick up there, rather than collecting local.
I had a quick squint at Travel Supermarket dot com and for the Wednesday to Sunday from Heathrow either a five door fiesta or a Mini is a shade over £100.
The same website gives prices of £160 for a Central London pick up drip off for the same car !!!
Quote from: Chaosphere;448852So that should be everyone sorted.
Still waiting to hear about a pickup for Albert and duvel but at least we have a kind plan B there from fatbob for if that doesn't pan out!
Yes indeed, thanks all. We have options and although there is not going to be anyone passing we lose nothing in time nor does any other LAN goer if the train runs. If there are no trains then FatBob has us covered. If the trains run but suck we can also get to Peterborough before 17:30 and meet up with Sulky.
Preference is the 14:45 train as it's still off-peak and takes under 2 hours total. The one an hour later is on peak, a curry more expensive and gets us in still before 17:30.
The worst thing about all this is it used to be we could land at 10 and be in March at noon. Now it's a day. Crazy times.
Yeah unfortunately the pickup I had in mind didn't pan out due to car size / room.
Stick to Plan A then. :thumbup:
Sorry Albert I've looked at the space in my car and there's just not enough room,safe trip cya in the bar on Thursday.
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
Quote from: Sneakytiger;448883Sorry Albert I've looked at the space in my car and there's just not enough room,safe trip cya in the bar on Thursday.
Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk
Ok mate, thanks for checking. See you Thursday.