London [Archive] - Peoples Republic Of Cork Discussion Forums

Trish

09-10-2006, 08:32 PM

I must say London is break for a quick break every now and then - isn't too far away and you get to have a look in Harrods, but honestly I wouldn't live there unless I had too.

It's too congested and you feel kind of claustrophobic there. Besides, like all big European cities, people aren't very friendly. Cork is quickly going down that route. Unlike Cork, but once again like most big cities, there's a sense of urgency there.

Having said that, wouldn't mind taking a trip over there again soon - to see a show or something.

storysham

09-10-2006, 10:49 PM

I love the place, heading over again in two weeks (cost 26 euro), 3rd time this year.

Its the city ive visited the most in the world.

faircop

10-10-2006, 04:42 AM

I love the place, heading over again in two weeks (cost 26 euro), 3rd time this year.

Its the city ive visited the most in the world.

all good and well getting cheap flights until you end up in stansted (sp) and spend more on the train out of the airport than on the flights!
saying that i love london, you just have to be prepared to pay the high prices that go with any city of that size. something good is always on there whenever you go, i cant get enough of the place tbh.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 11:57 AM

Honestly - unless you are here to see family/friends - avoid!
OK. We'll avoid you too.

jungle

10-10-2006, 12:02 PM

I must say London is break for a quick break every now and then - isn't too far away and you get to have a look in Harrods, but honestly I wouldn't live there unless I had too.

Actually, I'd be the other way round. I wouldn't mind going to work there for a while, but I'm sick of visiting the place.

I think what has finally done it for me is the cost of public transport there. £2 for a single bus journey while Paris is just €1.05 for a metro ride. And then they scrapped the weekend travel passes. Ans you can't sign up for Oyster if you don't live in the UK. I just feel I'm being screwed all the time.

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 12:14 PM

london neophytes:
since buses are so expensive, you might as well get black cabs everywhere, especially in central london.
drink in the west end, at least you'll be getting value for money, people will think you're rich and you might see a celebrity.
stand on the left-hand side of the tube escalators.
when on the tube, make sure you spend your entire journey staring at anyone who looks remotely islamic.
if you don't know where you're going, walk very slowly, two-abreast if possible, and look around.
make sure you head down to brixton for that authentic gritty urban experience.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 12:20 PM

Isn't a bus journey £1.50?

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 12:22 PM

no, it's £17.99. and if you don't have the 99p, they won't let you on

jungle

10-10-2006, 12:30 PM

Isn't a bus journey £1.50?
Not on the last bus I used there (Hounslow to Richmond for info purposes).

Even if it was, the point would still stand about public transport costs for people who have no need for a weekly or monthly ticket.

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 12:35 PM

Not on the last bus I used there (Hounslow to Richmond for info purposes)..
ah, you got ripped off. tourist

Trish

10-10-2006, 03:08 PM

Dunno why, but I've always wanted to have a go on one of the bendy buses.

I've only ever taken the Tube when I went to London - was a novelty the first time, a laugh the second time, but after that - no thanks!

pudgee

10-10-2006, 03:10 PM

Dunno why, but I've always wanted to have a go on one of the bendy buses.

A life-changing experience. truly.

Trish

10-10-2006, 03:13 PM

Well when you live in little old Cork and are used to getting the Number 5 or 8 but it is!

i_didnt_do_nawtin

10-10-2006, 03:37 PM

Actually, I'd be the other way round. I wouldn't mind going to work there for a while, but I'm sick of visiting the place.

I think what has finally done it for me is the cost of public transport there. £2 for a single bus journey while Paris is just €1.05 for a metro ride. And then they scrapped the weekend travel passes. Ans you can't sign up for Oyster if you don't live in the UK. I just feel I'm being screwed all the time.

The bus is £1.50

i_didnt_do_nawtin

10-10-2006, 03:38 PM

Not on the last bus I used there (Hounslow to Richmond for info purposes).

Even if it was, the point would still stand about public transport costs for people who have no need for a weekly or monthly ticket.

I think you can buy oyster cards from abroad.

jungle

10-10-2006, 03:41 PM

I think you can buy oyster cards from abroad.
This one I am certain of. You need a UK postal address.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 03:50 PM

This one I am certain of. You need a UK postal address.
You were also certain that Circle line trains don't go all the way round.

jungle

10-10-2006, 03:51 PM

You were also certain that Circle line trains don't go all the way round.
I am still certain of that.

There are no trains that spend the day circling the Circle Line. At some point they turn into District Line or Hammersmith And City Line trains.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 03:53 PM

I am still certain of that.

There are no trains that spend the day circling the Circle Line. At some point they turn into District Line or Hammersmith And City Line trains.

You're just wrong on this. Sorry. District and H&C trains even look different.

jungle

10-10-2006, 03:55 PM

You're just wrong on this. Sorry. District and H&C trains even look different.
I'll believe you when you have actually ridden an entire lap of the Circle Line.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 04:00 PM

I'll believe you when you have actually ridden an entire lap of the Circle Line.

If what you were saying was true, I would have to change train at Circle/District divergence points. This is clearly not the case.

District trains are old, with manky uphosltery. They have one green stripe (D) and one pink stripe (H&C) on the outside of each carriage. Most of these are shared with H&C. Circle trains are newer, smaller, and have bright yellow handrails. They stay on the Circle line.

jungle

10-10-2006, 04:06 PM

If what you were saying was true, I would have to change train at Circle/District divergence points. This is clearly not the case.

District trains are old, with manky uphosltery. They have one green stripe (D) and one pink stripe (H&C) on the outside of each carriage. Most of these are shared with H&C. Circle trains are newer, smaller, and have bright yellow handrails. They stay on the Circle line.
There are different District Lines too. Trains running almost always run Edgware Rd-Wimbledon (apart from a very small number in peak hours), with separate trains running from East London to Ealing and Richmond.

So, the trains aren't always the same. Circle Line trains seem to become Edware Rd-Wimbledon ones in particular. And it's very annoying when it happens.

You're unlikely to notice it because the train will say District Line on it as soon as it goes on to District Line track, so it will only be a problem when you're traveling over a large number of stops on it.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 04:11 PM

There are different District Lines too. Trains running almost always run Edgware Rd-Wimbledon (apart from a very small number in peak hours), with separate trains running from East London to Ealing and Richmond.

So, the trains aren't always the same. Circle Line trains seem to become Edware Rd-Wimbledon ones in particular. And it's very annoying when it happens.

You're unlikely to notice it because the train will say District Line on it as soon as it goes on to District Line track, so it will only be a problem when you're traveling over a large number of stops on it.

They are different style trains. And the fork in the District line only occurs at Earl's Court, which isn't even on the Circle line.
By the way, you forgot the Olympia branch of the District Line.

They run on the same tracks and platforms, but they are not the same trains.

jungle

10-10-2006, 04:18 PM

They are different style trains. And the fork in the District line only occurs at Earl's Court, which isn't even on the Circle line.
By the way, you forgot the Olympia branch of the District Line.

They run on the same tracks and platforms, but they are not the same trains.

How about I explain why they do it?

If you run the circle line as a circle of trains, one delayed train can have a disastrous effect. There's a bigger gap to the train in front and it gets more delayed. Sooner rather than later, you're going to have a lot of trains in one part of the track with a massive gap elsewhere.

By creating a termination point, you can start spacing the trains again.

As regards the District Line thing, I'll use an example. You have a westbound circle line train at King's Cross. When it gets to Edgware Rd, the board says District Line instead. It shares track to High St Kensington where it splits and is no longer on the Circle Line route. It will then go down to Wimbledon.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 04:24 PM

The Circle is constantly subject to delays, for the precise reason you mention.
You're implying that you can't go through a district/cirle interchange without changing, which simply isn't the case.

And as I pointed out repeatedly, the actual trains themselves are different. I've noticed that in the eight years I've been using the flipping thing, the majority of which time was spent using Farringdon station, a H&C/Circle station.

Hochma

10-10-2006, 04:26 PM

There is a big clock in London called "Big Ben" ...

jungle

10-10-2006, 04:26 PM

The Circle is constantly subject to delays, for the precise reason you mention.
You're implying that you can't go through a district/cirle interchange without changing, which simply isn't the case.

Sorry, you've misunderstood me there.

I'm not saying that it necessarily changes, I'm saying that it may change.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 04:39 PM

There is a big clock in London called "Big Ben" ...
The bell is called Big Ben.

Jungle, you're wavering.

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 04:47 PM

Actin The Sham

10-10-2006, 04:54 PM

I love London.

I actually cried on 7/7 last year, even though I've been out of the city for years, and only lived there for three years. It will always be my second favourite city after Cork. I was never made feel more welcome by it's inhabitants. Most of them are the salt of the earth, and that's even before you factor in the whole entertainment, sports, restaurant, and shopping experience.

Listening to LDN on the radio over here now, I find myself agreeing with the sentiments expressed by Lilly Allen.

It's a great place, a true "world city."

jungle

10-10-2006, 04:54 PM

jungle, give it up, biy. the circle is a cirlce. district and h&c lines run on its tracks.

as for your backlog theory, they have depots at certain points on it's route from where they can release more trains if need be to cover the gaps you mention with part-routes. simple, really.
I've been on ones that have changed. It definitely happens.

And I'd be shocked if there were depots on the Circle Line. Surely, land in Central London is far too valuable for that.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 04:56 PM

I've been on ones that have changed. It definitely happens.

And I'd be shocked if there were depots on the Circle Line. Surely, land in Central London is far too valuable for that.

There are.

jungle

10-10-2006, 04:58 PM

There are.
Not doubting you, but where?

I would have expected them to use the one out on the line to Heathrow and just run the trains into the centre every day.

pudgee

10-10-2006, 05:03 PM

Not doubting you, but where?

I would have expected them to use the one out on the line to Heathrow and just run the trains into the centre every day.

Aldgate, as far as I recall. Either Aldgate or Whitechapel.

Hochma

10-10-2006, 05:07 PM

The bell is called Big Ben.

Jungle, you're wavering.

I thought it was the whole thing ... is there name for the rest of it ...

jungle

10-10-2006, 05:10 PM

I thought it was the whole thing ... is there name for the rest of it ...
I think it's just 'The Clock Tower'

pudgee

10-10-2006, 05:16 PM

I think it's just 'The Clock Tower'

St Stephen's Tower

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 05:23 PM

And I'd be shocked if there were depots on the Circle Line. Surely, land in Central London is far too valuable for that.

Not doubting you, but where?
jesus, make up your mind lad.

anyway, you'd be amazed at the amount of dead ground - not including parks, squares, plazas, etc - in central london

POL

10-10-2006, 05:36 PM

Jungle is being exposed here, and badly exposed, well done the TFI, nothing like a bullshitter getting his comeuppance

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 05:39 PM

the tfi?

POL

10-10-2006, 05:43 PM

Travel Forum Intelligentsia

jungle

10-10-2006, 05:47 PM

Jungle is being exposed here, and badly exposed, well done the TFI, nothing like a bullshitter getting his comeuppance
Exposed how?

I still don't believe the Circle Line thing because I've been on trains that have switched.

As for the clock tower, that name is used in addition to St Stephen's Tower.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben

exileonpatrickstreet

10-10-2006, 06:21 PM

jungle, my love:

1: just because you might have been on a tube that switched doesn't mean that it doesn't go in a circle.
2: just because wiki says some people call the whole tower big ben doesn't mean that a) they are right, or b) wiki is right.

try and be a bit more rigorous, lad, at least when talking to me and p.gee

storysham

10-10-2006, 06:54 PM

The geographically accurate tube map

http://www.thoughtsonthings .com/images/tube_massive.gif

http://www.thoughtsonthings .com/images/tube_massive.gif

west cork rebel

10-10-2006, 10:19 PM

wow thats good cheers for the tube map

jungle

11-10-2006, 09:35 AM

2: just because wiki says some people call the whole tower big ben doesn't mean that a) they are right, or b) wiki is right.

try and be a bit more rigorous, lad, at least when talking to me and p.gee

You might notice that I said it was called 'The Clock Tower' and not Big Ben.

So, how does the parliament website do as a source

http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hcio/clock_tower.cfm

Pudgee was also right about the name (both have been used), so I didn't take him up on it. My point was being made to POL.

pudgee

11-10-2006, 01:35 PM

That map says 'Tottingham Court Road'.
Mockery etc

jungle

11-10-2006, 01:50 PM

That map says 'Tottingham Court Road'.
Mockery etc
Russel Square
Southark
West Hamsted

D'oriel

16-10-2006, 01:47 PM

This one I am certain of. You need a UK postal address.

That's only for the travel cards - fixed term, unlimited travel.

For the prepay Oyster cards, anyone can get them.
Every visitor I've had has used an Oyster card - £1 instead of £1.50 for bus journeys, for example.
Saves money.

SPABALLS

04-12-2006, 09:21 PM

Great pubs in ealing for a night out if you don't want to head up town .
in no particular order

The spinning wheel... great for a session on the weekends livebands bit of diddily ei and open late(northfields on the picadilly)

The northstar... trendy almost up to cork standards a cross between the raven and the mutton lane (ealing bdway)

The castlebar... non smoking chilled out bar ,it has a massive marquai attached for all the smokers, lively friday and saturday nights. friendly staff (uxbridge road ealing)

O NEILLS... always a great spot for matches cheap enough beer. Offers the usaull live bands on the wkend

PatMan

19-12-2006, 05:55 PM

Matlock

19-12-2006, 06:18 PM

Ealing is a great place to wander around drinking and eating - especially eating. If you are adventurous with ya food, you could eat food from most countries! Yes, even those small weird ones!

Ealing is pretty cool alright.

Entire Sunday afternoons spent eating from cuffy buffets and drinking beer.

Happy days!

bee17

02-01-2007, 01:13 PM

I'm going to London for 4 days, What is the cost of eating out on average there like? And how much do you tkink I should budget for it? (Lunch & Dinner)

west cork rebel

02-01-2007, 02:34 PM

I'm going to London for 4 days, What is the cost of eating out on average there like? And how much do you tkink I should budget for it? (Lunch & Dinner)

£15-£20 a head for lunch or dinner should cover you, that is 3 courses and a drink like, and the busses have now gone up to £2, rip off!.