London Party II: The Babbage Expedition August 22nd / 23rd 2009

[Skinner]

Where ever we go it would be easier if we could share rooms and, preferably, all be in the same place.

If that's even possible.

I must comment Travelodge for it's good quality rooms and what not, having spent weekends there for various expos and balls. But I never had the breakfasts, so I can't agree or disagree on that point.

Is there anywhere we could get a group discount?

[bizarre_chicken]

Where ever we go it would be easier if we could share rooms and, preferably, all be in the same place.

If that's even possible.

I must comment Travelodge for it's good quality rooms and what not, having spent weekends there for various expos and balls. But I never had the breakfasts, so I can't agree or disagree on that point.

Is there anywhere we could get a group discount?

That would be rather useful.

[Engineer]

I've checked out my National Express coach times. It looks like the best return coach for me will be the 7:30 from Victoria Coach Station.

Assuming we get back into town by 18:00ish that gives me plenty of time to get my coach without rushing.

This is all looking very good 

[Cabletwitch]

Just a little bump to keep this up, so people dont forget its going on.

Although obscurity is a definite perk of steampunkery, topics dont benefit from this 

[Skinner]

Is there an official number/list of names for the overnight haul? I may have found a site that will help us book a hotel in a large group, but I can't calculate the cost without some numbers.

Here's the site:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/1/en/emplanner/occasional

[dr.Moriarti]

if were booking hotel in bulk i can put my name down if not ic ould still when i fiind mor about hotels

[Engineer]

if were booking hotel in bulk i can put my name down if not ic ould still when i fiind mor about hotels

If someone can come up with a hotel where we can book in bulk, then I too am interested in principle (subject to checking out what is proposed).

[Doctor When]

Be wary about "block booking" hotels - I've been caught out by that before...

From previous experience, you've got more chance of getting a better rate booking individually online than negotiating with a hotel for several rooms. They tend to do their "bargains" online, but only give you a % discount off the rate card for group bookings - and usually the "internet bargain" is much better - it's worth checking any price they give you against the internet just in case!

BUS AND PUB

If there's any stragglers who've not yet signed up for the Sunday minibus and pub, let me know here ASAP and I'll trawl through the thread later in the week to get my list together.

[dr.Moriarti]

what the hell ill put my name down for confirm

[Honeythorn]

I'm afraid you shall have to exclude me from the whole thing. There's no way I'm going to be able to afford it . 

[The_Steam_Master]

I'm afraid you shall have to exclude me from the whole thing. There's no way I'm going to be able to afford it . 

*hugs*

hopefully we will be able to make it to one another time

[ladyelsie]

Having watched this thread with interest The major and I are still very up for this jaunt to the smoke. So put us on the list and fingers crossed we do not have to drop out. Lady Elsie.

[Skinner]

So, could we, as individuals, try to book rooms at the same hotel, or in hotels close-ish together? That would work fine. Somewhere within central london, preferably close to an underground station, or, something?

Dr When, have you talked to the bus folk about where exactly they're picking us up from?

Double confirming, by the way, just in case I hadn't before. If I have to stay in a soggy cardboard box for the weekend, I'll be there.

[Skinner]

appologies for this double post, but, any word?

[Capt. Dirigible]

My good lady and myself are already in London but cannot make the Crossness meet on Sunday due to prior commitments. Would it be acceptable to make our own way to the Science Museum and meet the rest of the group there and just do the Museum tour on the Saturday?

[Colonial Steele]

Okay, I am reading all this and think I have got an idea of what is happening and it appears to be fun.  I am quiet new to all this and expect to be on my own, I would like to attend baring a crisis.

[sjbonnar]

My good lady and myself are already in London but cannot make the Crossness meet on Sunday due to prior commitments. Would it be acceptable to make our own way to the Science Museum and meet the rest of the group there and just do the Museum tour on the Saturday?

I am in a similar situation. I would very much like to still make the trip to the Museum and FINALLY meet some of you lovely people!

[Llrael]

Ditto the above comments; I don't yet know if I'll be available that weekend, and I wouldn't be able to stop overnight, but I'm sure I could persuade my mother (who's also interested in steampunkery) to accompany me on a day trip to the museum and immediate surroundings.

[The Hon. Archibald Keyes]

As a Londoner, twould be relatively easy for me to join y'all - though I suppose I'll find out more closer to the date.

[lady sakara]

i know i could trawl back through this thread to see if i can find the info...but well..im not going to  instead i shall ask of the info.
Has times for where the group is going been set? ie itinerary?

You see..i have a feeling i wont be able to make it for the museum visit, but will be able to make the steampump rooms afterwards.

[SteamBlast Mary]

Confound the fates! I'm not going to be able to make a weekend of this, but hopefully can still join this merry assembly on the Saturday (courtesy of cheap day returns.)

[David Godfrey Esq.]

Curses. I can't make it during either day. Work won't let me take the time off (and more annoyingly I'd miscalculated my rota so I didn't think I'd need to book holiday, and just assumed I'd be able to come).

I can be around for any mischief Saturday evening after about half six though.

[Engineer]

I've not been keeping an eye on this thread, so thought I had better give an update on my attendance.

It is possible that I may have a clash of commitments on the weekend of this expedition, but if that fails to materialise I will be along for both days (minibus and pub for me on the Sunday).

There were some comments on this thread about hotels a while back, but I don't see anything to say that that has progressed any further, so I'll prompt the conversation again. What are non-Londoners doing for accommodation in the Saturday night? Has anyone booked accommodation yet and if so where?

[The Governess]

Esteemed (steamed?) colleagues,

Please excuse my interruption, but I couldn't help noticing the discussion about hotels in our capital.  I happened to travel upon one of Mr Branson's engines this morning, and while perusing the onboard literature, noted the following two links:

http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/summeraccommodation
This is for an educational establishment that lets it's rooms out in the summer.  This could provide relatively cheap accommodation for a number of people.

Also:
http://www.hoxtonhotels.com/
I understand this to be a good budget establishment, which sometimes offers rooms for the princely sum of one whole English pound.  Although I am not sure of the frequency of such offers.

Please note that these are not personal recommendations, as I have no first hand knowledge of either of these venues; and have only briefly looked at the attached links.

[Skinner]

Quote from the Hoxton:

The 2nd July at 12pm (UK Time) marks the official start of our next £1 sale.

Once again we will have 1,000 bedrooms up for grabs on our website: 500 at £1 and 500 at £29, for dates between the
1st August 2009 – 31st October 2009

During the last sale in April, we sold all 1,000 rooms within 11 minutes and had over 300,000 people trying to book so you'll need to be quick... If you don’t manage to get a room at either £1 or £29, there are some other great deals available, including:

• July - Weekends from £96.89*

• August - Fridays for £77.32* and Saturdays £96.89*

• August - Bank holiday Monday for just £57.74*

Their normal rates are downright dire, but if we all try and catch the sale, we could be in luck for a very good deal. I'm certainly thinking of giving it a try.
Who's with me?


UPDATE:

I was going to get a double room with myself and Aeryenne, but unfortunately she cannot attend the Sunday.
So, I'm going for the £1 room offer tomorrow. Would Anyone like to room up with me, or is anyone staying in the Hoxton?

...Anyone?