2012 meet

[gill216]

Lat has asked a few questions and suggested I post more on the forum so we can make some decisions.

Our first thought is to keep costs right down so that the weekend is accessible to all. The cheapest way to do this is to use my caravan in Withernsea and for me to hire from friends around me any extra vans needed. My caravan will be free and any others at considerably less than brochure price. All have toilets, showers heating, hot water and s/c facilities. Costs to be split amongst us all. All caravans will sleep at least 5 in their own beds. I can offer a twin room, a single room and two doubles if anyone wanted to bring a partner. I think my neighbour has 2 twins and 2 doubles so hers sleeps 6. I can hire more vans if necessary. Heated swimming pool, club house with wifi. Beach walks, Spurn point quite near. I'm also up for catering for us all if we go to Withernsea but more about that later. If we choose this option then trains would be to Hull (or coaches) and there is a bus stop right outside both stations that drops almost at the door. I can pick up 4 from Hull if they arrive at more or less the same time and I have a friend who would collect another 4. I dont mind making 2 journeys if necessary. Basically share all costs. Bring your own drinks so no bar costs. Local shops within walking distance.

The other alternative is not to use my caravan at all (or my neighbours) but this would add to the cost as the best deal I can get is 25% off brochure price at another Park Resort for family. I need to acquire brothers and sisters

[Wulfruna]

This is beginning to sound much more positive. The idea of using a Bank Holiday weekend was a nice one to explore, so was well worth trying - but was always likely to have some snags I suppose. I knew that May would be no good for me - but then I don't have work commitments. However, if we could defer the whole thing until later in June, or maybe even early July if that might enable young Giraffes to come as well(?) (- which would be great) - then that would give us more time to plan ahead and also looks likely to get quite a good take-up for participation. In that case you can definitely count me in - and maybe even a contribution to the proceedings ....not guaranteed....

[eirian]

The caravans sound good - we'd definitely need a really cheap option, so probably couldn't come if it was anywhere else. Not sure if I could pursuade Sigur to come; however, if a Bridge lesson was wanted, I might work on him - he used to be very good at Bridge until I came along and took up all his time! (hate the game myself, requires too much memory )
However, since we have absolutely no plans at all spring or summer (except staying at home for 2 weeks to watch the Olympics, and a trip to Devon in April), I'll fit in with everyone else.

[gill216]

Site very child orientated as well. Lots of activities for the under 5's Grab a double Eirian.

Bridge workshop sounds good too.

[LAT]

One more question then, do we run the risk of it being rather crowded the further we move into the summer period? Especially for people who aren't limited to school holidays for when they can go away?

I also wonder if leaving it too far into the summer risks puzzlers being reluctant to commit until they have sorted out any personal holiday plans they have.

I had a look at trains to Hull and it seems that by picking the time of travel carefully we can get one way tickets for as little as £20 from London KX. They only seem bookable up to 13 weeks in advance though so I can't tell if the cost would go up in the summer months or if that is standard throughout the year. At that price if I come I would definitely prefer to go by train than drive but it might be different if certain fellow puzzlers were travelling too.

[giraffe]

April / May is preferable to July for me. K cannot do any weekend in term time anyway, so giraffelets likely to be thin on the ground.

just looked at trains from here. 4 hours 20mins and two changes. 2 singles £58(£29 each) or return £75

Hmmm not sure where Hull is (well I know vaguely) , might be easier to drive.
edit: google maps says 3hours 20 by car.

[MBH]

They only seem bookable up to 13 weeks in advance though so I can't tell if the cost would go up in the summer months or if that is standard throughout the year.

I use TheTrainLine.com and that 10-12 week in advance is the right point to get the limited numbers of cheap tickets on each train. Price shouldn't change during the year but may be more people chasing them. [The 'best fare finder' feature is good if you can be flexible in travelling]

Back at school our physics teacher taught the 6th form kids bridge (when he should have been teaching physics ) but I tended to play the cards in my hand rather than long and formal 'rules' of bidding.

Lack of giraffelets is a pity, but exams come first

[gill216]

In reply to Lat then yes, April- May would be best. Cost of caravans increase as the year goes on and so does the number of children running around!! (especially little girls who all seem to screech at each other!!!!)

[Wulfruna]

Sadly, the logistics of a 7-hour train journey to Hull makes it impossible for me in any case. Sorry about that .
The idea of the caravans is good - it is important to be affordable as well as having good local knowledge of the area. Good luck!

[clvrlad]

well im currently thinking of getting on a bike and cycling down the coast from Redcar stopping off to sample b&b's

and the pubs

of course dates would be good... :-p

[Bunnylump]

I will confess to being very unsure about the getting there. It would entail three (?) trains for me to get to Hull and then a bus (or some kind person picking me up). No way can I get a Thursday off so I would need to travel on the Friday (assuming I can get that off!!)

Like I said, I definitely can't do the bank holiday weekend, and don't really want to have two consecutive weekends away. So I will throw my cap into the ring and say that if I can come, either 20th April weekend or 18th May weekend would be best for me (the beginning of April is the Easter holidays and the last weekend is my husband's birthday, so I'd probably get slugged if I said I'd miss that). Obviously, as I have actually made the past two meets, if neither of these are suitable for others then I will just bow out this time round so that others can still come.

I am happy to either share a room or have my own if we are going down the caravan route, the only thing I would say is that I am not prepared to sleep on a floor because I would probably never get up again (bad back). Anything else I am happy to go with the flow.

[Scurra]

Definitely only two trains, Bunny. (Stop making it harder for yourself. )
But I think we need to establish a date asap as otherwise there's no point in saying anything about what we might or might not be planning on doing!

[Bunnylump]

Nope, it's three. I've just looked it up and I need to go HH to Euston, (Euston to Kings Cross) Kings Cross to Doncaster, Doncaster to Hull. Then a bus to Withensea. And the trains say they will take about 4 hours. And it will cost £66. I COULD drive, but it's still 4 hours and that's a long way to go. Petrol probably would be even more though.

[Scurra]

If you think you can't get from King's Cross to Hull on a single train then your internet searching skills are rubbish. (Although it may be because it's a separate individual franchise that used to be run by National Express coaches but is now First Hull Trains (try http://www.hulltrains.co.uk)
And I didn't think any advance discount tickets were available for April yet, so I'm not sure about the cost. And the timetable says it takes 2hrs 30m* not 4hrs. And I'm sure you wouldn't be forced to have to take a bus at the other end.

But apart from that, I agree with you.

*Yes, OK, so we need to allow the time for you to get into London as well. But I don't believe that's 90m.

[clvrlad]

can anyone not make 18th of may?

[giraffe]

18th May is F's birthday. As it is likely to be during the GCSEs I can't bring him and can't really go away. Sorry.
Still not sure about the journey. Definitely 3 trains (Home to B'ham to Sheffield to Hull) for me . (Unless Scurra's mystery train comes near here too )

[clvrlad]

well give him five minutes and www.thetrainline.co.uk and im sure he'll find you something

20 april any better or you?

[tricia]

I am strugling Glasgow to Hull - it cannot be 27th april -2nd May! Cvlrlad are you good with rain timetables = can you do a route from Glasgow central to Withernsea

tricia

[giraffe]

Glasgow>Leeds>Hull or Glasgow>Manchester>Hull Takes over 5 hours In March 2 singles cost £56.50 according to National rail enquiries

[LAT]

Another option

Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh - York - Hull travelling on a Friday in March setting off at 11.00 gets to Hull at 15.48 and costs £24.50.
Coming back on the Sunday leaving at 11.46 and changing at York, Newcastle and Carlisle reaches Glasgow Central at 17.00 and costs £21.
Total cost would be £45.50
These are the two cheapest fares for the days and approx times I entered. So it's a long journey but it is doable.