The Fridays Tour

[GrumpyGregry]

Is there anyone else considering flying back from Inverness? Wick-Edinburgh-Southampton still looks like the best option for me at the moment, unless there are a few people to share a taxi, make the fare rather less horrendous, and if we were there for the 1345 Gatwick flight, that would mean I can get home two or three hours earlier, and for slightly less money. I'm sure the coach will be fun, but having time to make it back to Waterloo in time would be a concern.

Stu

Gatwick has an obvious appeal to me. What does you taxi/air repatriation plan look like costs and timing wise? (PM the details please)

 

[Aperitif]

Knowing Stu, his plane will probably be diverted to London Bridge!

 

[StuAff]

Knowing Stu, his plane will probably be diverted to London Bridge!

 

[dellzeqq]

From previous bookings made I recommend the following websites (if you are not aware of them): -

http://www.booking.com for booking B&B's and Hotels (not sure if you are aware about it). There are 3 main reasons why I choose it.

1. Shows the availablity and the cost of accomodations
2. Has a great map that shows where the accomodation are in the area (the maps also shows what accomodation is available)
3. Allows free cancellations up to at least 2 days prior to arrival (some accomodation offer free cancellation up to 4pm on the day of cancellation.

There is also www.laterooms.com but this one doesn't offer much flexibilty as booking.com does. However I have noted that laterooms.com may show accomodations that bookings.com doesn't and it also offers discounts in some of the accomodations.

Try http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk for booking campsites. It shows how many campsites are in the area, and at times it will direct you to the campsites' websites.

We booked in the following acoomodations with booking.com

• Bingham: The Vale of Belvoir £60 doubleroom. (5 rooms single ensuite left for £40 avg, and there are some double rooms available)
• York: The Syncamore Guest House. This one is sold out but there is 1 triple room available in Hotel Noir for about £176.(based on 3 sharing)
• Castleside: We booked in Anchor Inn for £80 double room which is 5.6 miles in Whittonstall from Castleside enroute to Jedburgh. There are 4 rooms available and it is way cheaper than Derwent by at least %40 less! rooms cost £80 for double and £65 for one person staying in a double room. On the map this is on the B6309 off the A68.
• Jedburgh: The Royal Hotel. Still rooms available.
• Kinross: The Roxburge Guest £65, but there are only few rooms available now. The Kirkland Hotel nearby has a few available.
• Newtonmore: The Glenhouse Hotel has rooms available, and there few availble B&Bs nearby according to Booking.com
• Tain: Mansfield Castle Hotel (£90 for double room!) thought we will treat ourselves. This one is now sold out and Morangie House Hotel nearby available.
• Wick: Neathercliffe Hotel still has a few rooms available.

okeydokey

The Sycamore Guest House in York is good but..........please hold off booking at Whittonstall for a bit.........

The big news is that the driving is sorted - Ian McS has volunteered!

Does anybody still have a share of a twin room that they can share with Ian?

 

[mmmmartin]

Well that really IS good news, especially if anyone wants to buy some antiques during the tour:

 

[dellzeqq]

If it's antiques you want, we've got to persuade RichP and 'Teef to come along.........

 

[StuAff]

If it's antiques you want, we've got to persuade RichP and 'Teef to come along.........

Yes, and some of their jokes are even older....

 

[dellzeqq]

sorry - I should have said - with Yeung Sing you have to call the hotel and speak to Wendy. I'm not sure that the websites have overcome the phone glitch of last week!

 

[StuAff]

I don't know where Leo got those prices for Derwent Manor to be so expensive- my room with breakfast on the flexible rate was £83, for two it's given at £103. Advance rate £92.70.

 

[Aperitif]

I don't know where Leo got those prices for Derwent Manor to be so expensive- my room with breakfast on the flexible rate was £83, for two it's given at £103. Advance rate £92.70.

£20 for an extra breakfast? You are being robbed Stu.
I will adopt a dignified silence on Rich's behalf. I can have nightmares with my eyes closed - let alone on a bike in scotchland!

 

[StuAff]

£20 for an extra breakfast? You are being robbed Stu.

I'm pretty sure that I can eat an 'extra' breakfast without being charged for it

 

[dellzeqq]

you've not seen the rucksack?

 

[StuAff]

Hollow legs (metaphorically).

 

[Aperitif]

you've not seen the rucksack?

In Scotland, he'll be a 'wee Sackenach'

 

[velovoice]

Midge repellent - Avon Skin So Soft

A colleague of mine is an Avon rep. There's a half-off sale on right now for the particular item in the SSS range that is reputed to have midge-repellent characteristics (the "dry oil body spray" in a "woodland" scent). A 150ml bottle is currently only £2.60. If anyone would like to take advantage of this sale, please PM me by 10th Feb and I'll do a bulk order.