See my comment in the previous post about Wooler now just for one night. This should mean we are booked as follows:
Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th May at Bellingham booked by Shawn
Wednesday 27th May at Wooler booked by me
Thursday 28th May at Beal booked by Clyde
Friday 29th May at Amble booked by Maldwyn.
Logistics for travel and rendez-vous have yet to be arranged as the window for advanced rail bookings is not yet open. Perhaps one more meeting would be an idea to finalise arrangements (and maybe have a drink??). Clyde has suggested that he will be in UK on Thursday 16th April. Would that be convenient? - we could use the Brunswick again as it was OK last time and is near to bus and train stations.
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Fine by me The Brunswick, good chilli and chips and ale!
ReplyDeleteBTW Check out Michael Portillo goes to Lindesfarne on 'Great British Railway Journeys ' on iplayer. Robson Green is all over Northumberland on ITV every monday evening if we want a taster of what to expect.
Advice please from the rail experts: I believe advance tickets for Monday 26th May become available next week – Tuesday (or Thursday?). I also have read that advance tickets are sold in batches with the price increasing as each batch sells out.
ReplyDeleteIf those are both correct then to get the best price booking has to be next week?
Also the limited bike spaces on trains – 2 for reservations (plus 1 first come first served) on Cross Country trains and 4 on Virgin surely mean those of us without folders need to be booking early next week to be sure of a space don’t we?
So what travel and rendez-vous arrangements would be finalised at the suggested meeting on Thursday 16th April?
Virgin seem to release their cheapest, advance, tickets about 2 weeks after Cross Country, or maybe they are just slower at updating their website.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Jim. I worded my comment poorly. Of course you want to get your tickets and reservations booked asap. The purpose of the meeting was mostly social but for each of us to know how the others are travelling and to decide (if practical) where some of us might meet to share some of the journey to Bellingham.
ReplyDelete16 April ok for me.
ReplyDelete16 April OK for me too. Can you all wait until then for me to reimburse the money that has been paid out so far?
DeleteYep, I'm still on for 16 Apr. Yes, Jim, as Peter said, it's just another excuse for a pint! And the Brunswick is good - I can stagger out, cross the road and catch the last train back to Matlock!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be able to book through Scotrail today already! I've found £96.50 Matlock to Newcastle return - ouch! But I have a Derbyshire Wayfarer ticket which will take me to Sheffield! Sheffield to Newcastle is only £64 return. I'll try breaking the journey up a bit more!
ReplyDeleteClyde, I think what you need to look for are the Advance fares, which I don't think are available yet. Anytime fares, which don't change, are the most expensive and intended for "walk-up" customers.
DeleteI see they have turned up now! £27.90 Derby to Newcastle. Virgin, West Coast have not declared their hand yet.
DeleteTry breaking the journey at York. There are 3 separate train operating companies working York to Newcastle so there might be bargains to be found.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martin and Peter. I'll do some more research today.
ReplyDeleteSo tell me, Martin. I've seen a £29 single from Matlock, which is obviously at least as good value as your £27.90 from Derby (espec as I can't use my Wayfarer that early in the am). But the fare for the return is much greater. Is this because the advance fares for that day haven't been announced yet?
ReplyDeleteEven better, but I must get out at York and wait for the next train. Matlock - York: £13.60. York - NC: £6.80.
ReplyDeleteHi all I'm OK for the 16th April. BTW I have booked my bike onto the Newcastle Train direct from Burton arriving Newcastle at 10.30am on monday 25th. £21.60 done, waiting for ticket and bike res in 1st class post from Scotrail, my favourite booking site! Martin decided against Carlisle as Engineering work is disrupting the service on that date. Virgin cannot say what service they will be running so I have
ReplyDeleteI went with Scotrail too! Easy site to use, tickets sent free by FCM, bike reservations. Good, innit? Shawn, I arrive at 11:45, so I'll have to catch you up!
ReplyDelete... oh, and Nectar points too!
ReplyDeleteClyde. I am happy to wait for you at Newcastle Railway Station - will check out famous swing and millenium bridges while I am waiting-so we can navigate our way out of the citytogether. I have plotted the route to Bellingham Bunkhouse on Garmin Connect will share with you all if you like. Any one else arriving Newcastle monday am?
ReplyDeleteI had planned to get to Newcastle for late morning and to head for Bellingham via Hexham (NCN14 to there). Clyde's train into NCL is the 09:17 from Derby (although I think he boards at York??) so I may see if there is a cycle reservation left on it. If not, I could be on the 08:44 ex Derby, arrive NCL at 11:30.
ReplyDeleteI have booked my return to Burton on Trent leaving Newcastle 18:44 allowing plenty of time to get back to Newcastle from Amble and enjoy a meal or more sightseeing before train. £24,10 if split journey at York not bad.
ReplyDelete