transport

[pensnest]

Can I just have a confirmation on who will be needing a lift from the airport to Camp Sparkle?

Just comment if you're coming in to Stansted or Heathrow. I'm assuming a pickup from Stansted at around lunchtime, and I should think about an hour later at Heathrow, so let me know when you're due in.

EDIT

Right. I've booked the minibus, and I've also seen it. It's a 15-seater, which means it will easily accommodate those of use who are staying for the week and doing some sightseeing, *but*, there is no separate space for luggage. So I will have to assume that in practice we have rather fewer than 15 seats available for the trip to Camp Sparkle, as we'll have to put the luggage somewhere.
particularly as most of you coming from outside the UK are staying the full week, which will mean a decent-sized suitcase rather than a weekend-only backpack. Plus, I'll have to pack in a fair bit in the way of comestibles. So if you can, bring baggage that can be stuffed under seats!

I know that last year we had around ten passengers from Stansted to Camp Sparkle, including three Londoners. This time, I suggest that the UK-dwellers make their own way, and I will take myself and nine passengers, picking up from Stansted and Heathrow. I think it's fair to give priority to the people who've had to fly in.

As far as I can see, that means stellamira, bubbleforest, fadedsouls, adelate, iconis, and rikes can be picked up from Stansted, and saba1789, ninjetti75 and - I assume? - msktrnanny from Heathrow.

Is that going to leave anyone stranded at the airport?

Things will be easier when it comes to the return trip on (I assume) Friday (7th) morning, as bubbleforest and fadedsouls are only staying for the weekend* - and there won't be supplies (not in any great quantity, anyway) needing space. So turloughishere can certainly get a ride back too. (I've seen you post that you'll be meeting up with some of the UK peeps for the journey to Lyndhurst on the 29th, yes?)

My apologies to London-dwellers who were hoping to join the minibus ride, but I don't think it'll be possible. Note that when I checked the National Express coach site, there were coach trips to Southampton available from £1 each way. I dunno what the train fares are. The number 56 or 56A bus to Lymington leaves Southampton railway station at 19 and 44 minutes past the hour for most of the day, with the last buses at 1754 and 1854, and goes into Lyndhurst (nopseud and I will get a better idea of where exactly it stops when we do our scouting foray), but if you arrive later on, I'm sure one of us (ie nopseud, as I shall be Lying Down**) will be able to retrieve you.

Cost of minibus: £7.50 each way.

Any questions?


* and can travel back to Stansted in luxury on a nearly-empty minibus!
** being fanned and plied with restorative beverages, I do trust

Comments

[stellamira]

I'll fly into Stansted, arrival time is 11:55.

[rikes]

iconis and I will arrive at Stansted on Thursday already and spend the night somewhere nearby, so we'll be ready any time.


adelate, iconis and I will be flying back from Stansted on Friday at 17:50, in case that's of any use at this point.

[saba1789.livejournal.com]

I'm going to arrive at Heathrow at around 1pm and would be very glad to get a lift :) .

[ninjetti75.livejournal.com]

My flight is into Heathrow at just before 10am, so it'll be after 10 by the time I'm processed and all. I could certainly use a lift, but if Saba isn't getting in until 1pm, I'll be waiting until then anyway, yay!

[saffronra.livejournal.com]

No need for a lift, I'm getting the train after work :)

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Is the offer still open to get a lift back to yours at the end of the week, so James can pick me up from there?

It's fine if it can't be managed, he can drive a little further *g*

[turlough]

I would love to go back in the minibus on Friday! My plane doesn't leave Heathrow until 17:55 so I'm not in any hurry but avoiding having to change from train to underground or Heathrow Express would be fabulous.

[msktrnanny.livejournal.com]

I arrive at half 8 on the 29th. It looks like you won't be heading out of London until after 1pm or even later. [if I'm mistaken here, please correct me!] I'll be fit to injure people if I spend that much time in the airport, lol. I suppose looking into train or car rental is the best way to keep me out of the airport for 4+ hours?

[ninjetti75.livejournal.com]

Okay, an Update to your Edit:

Yes, KC and I will both be arriving from America in Heathrow, as is Saba from Germany. KC's in first at 8:30ish, I'm at ten, and Saba's at 1ish, so we won't need picking up until 1pm at the earliest. And I have **NO** idea what the arrival schedules at Stansted are, nor how long it takes to trek from Stansted to Heathrow, so however that works out. *g*

Looks like nine total passengers, I think this is gonna work out well! (I'm going to have stupid amounts of luggage, but it's the same three bags as last year. The duffel will totally go under a seat, or hell, in my lap if it has to. The black case should slide under a seat, as long as the seats aren't too low. Otherwise, it's boxy, so it can totally have other things stacked on top of it, like the less-boxy red one or whatever else is needed. I've loaded cars for YEARS in retail, so I'm quite sure we'll be able to make us & it all fit. YAY!!!)