Need help to attend Saltfree trainings

[OceanMan]

Hello,

Usually I am coming to Saltfree thanks to Rémi who lives (or lived) close to me. So I just had to take a train on friday, then I would sleep on his settee, and we would be driving to Chepstow the next day.
It was heaven. (Rémi why do you have to leave so soon ???).
But now that he is back to France, I have to find another way to go to Saltfree...

The problem is that I don't have a car and I live pretty far (Cranfield, near Milton Keynes or Bedford).

I can take the train from Milton Keynes/Bedford to almost every town with a train station but that's pretty much all I can do...

One idea would be to take the train to Chepstow on friday and then find a cheap room for the night (if you know a place?). And then one of you would have to give me a lift from Chepstow to Saltfree in the morning... And I will take a train back.

Another problem is that I must try to keep the whole week end quite cheap as I am still a student....

Please feel free to give me any suggestion, to offer help etc...

NB: I won't attend the training in June anyway as I have a wedding in France the same week end. But I'd like to come this summer and for the competition in septembre. (I will move back to France after the competition).

Thanks,
Matthias

 

[Lammy]

Matthias,

If you can get to gloucester or anywhere near the M5 I can pick you up as I drive down.

Just give me a shout,

Lammy

 

[OceanMan]

Thank you Lammy
Are you actually living in Gloucester and going from gloucester to Chepstow or are you coming from somewhere north of Gloucester?
Matthias

 

[Lammy]

I come down from Stafford / Birmingham, about an hour further north than Remi used to be in Warwick.

Lammy Dave

 

[OceanMan]

It's handy to go to Stafford/Birmingham/coventry for me. The train is direct and quite cheap.

What is the nearest train station to your place?

Matthias

 

[Lammy]

Matthias,

Stafford is v.easy for me, just a few miles away.

Lammy

 

[OceanMan]

Great !

Do you know any cheap place to stay for a night or 2 in Stafford?

Will you be there for the 8-9 of July?

 

[Lammy]

Sorry,

I'm sailing that weekend, crew for a trainee skipper (scared!)

Lammy

 

[OceanMan]

Anyone else for the 8-9 of july?

Taking the train from my place to chepstow is complicated (2 train changes) and expensive, too expensive for a week end...

Another thing: if someone is looking for a spearfishing buddy, I would be glad to come for a week end or something. I have my own speargun (90cm) and equipment.

See you,
Matthias

 

[timm]

Hey Matthias,

I am heading down, am coming in from london along the M4 if thats any help.

Tim

 

[OceanMan]

Thank you Tim.
I can take the train to London Euston if that's ok for you. Is it easy for you?
At what time would you like me to be at the station if we do it like this?

Thanks
Matthias

 

[timm]

Hey Matthias

Sorry I am in west london to get to Euston would add over an hour to my journey, basically any station near the M4 between heathrow and bristol is good with me, how is bristol Parkway for you, I think this is near the M4?

Does anyone else know stations near the M4

I start near heathrow around 2 hours before I need to be in chepstow

hope this helps

Tim

 

[samdive]

Bristol Parkway is very near the M4, Reading is kind of near the M4

 

[samdive]

Matthias - if Tim can give you a lift from near Heathrow - then your best plan might be to get a bus from Milton Keynes to Heathrow

I looked on www.nationalexpress.com and there is a bus that gets into Heathrow from Milton Keynes at 07 35 which would get you to chepstow in lots of time - if with a long journey!

There are buses roughly every hour from Milton Keynes Coachway to Heathrow Airport

 

[OceanMan]

Thank you Sam.
I didn't think about the bus. It might offer me new possibilities!

There is indeed a bus from Milton Keynes to Heathrow airport. Pretty cheap. It could work.
I will just have to get up bloody early :duh

Is heathrow airport ok for you Tim?

Matthias

 

[timm]

Hey Matthias,

Yep Heathrow is good, Liv and I car share if we are both going and meet around 7.30 near heathrow for a 10am at chepstow, So I can pick you up on the way.

Let me know when you have times etc

Tim

 

[OceanMan]

There is a bus which arrives at Heathrow at 7:35.
I warn you, I will sleep in your car because I will have to get up at 5:20 rofl

The total cost will be
9£ for a taxi from my place to the bus
24£ bus
7.5£ saltfree
5£ angels
9£ for a taxi from the bus to my place

total = 54.5£

pfouuu quite an expensive dive :blackeye

I will think about it and let you know.

Matthias

 

[Lammy]

matthias,

My sailing trip is off, so if you can make it to Stafford we'll be able to give you a lift on Saturday (8th)

lammy

 

[OceanMan]

Thanks Lammy.
There is a train arriving at Stafford at 8h45. No sooner train. No bus. Is 8h45 alright or too late?
The total cost would be close to 50£ but I may be able in that case to take the bus instead of a taxi. Have to check that out.
Matthias

 

[Lammy]

Matthias,

I have to leave about 0800 to get down to chepstow at 1000, might be better to come over on friday and crash out at our place.

lammy