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It all sounds really great... I wonder who is the better driver lol and who has the better car

My sister may not be coming so I hope you can squeeze me in.
I have not had a moment to do the required training, but I run up and down stairs all day in work and at home... will that be enough?

Hi Ken & Diane,
No worries on the emails-we really appreciate all of the planning that you have put into it. I looked at the websites of the mountain climbs again and they look spectacular-though I'm not sure Bascom Hill will be enough training for me. Perhaps I should start my cross-country ski training now rather than waiting until after Christmas and I might not huff & puff my way around the Birkebeiner like I have for the last few years-it is rather embarrassing when everyone passes you. The clincher was last year when two ladies who appeared to be in their seventies passed me by while holding a casual conversation:

1st Lady: Are you still in the church choir?
2nd Lady: No, not with our new director-too much drama!
Me: Huff/puff/huff/puff(please don't pass me by a disgrace!)

Looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Joe

Hey Ken and Paula... you can have a laugh at my expense I am Irish and most of the Irish can laugh at themselves. Some people take life so feckin' serious don't they?

I really enjoy your humour a lot. The secret to life is to have fun and thanks a million for all the laughs.

Love Tinders

I'd like to change the subject...please...to something quite banal!!! I've been trying to work out the logistics of getting to Barmouth on the Thursday afternoon by train from London - it looks like the journey is 5 hours plus.... is this the case, or does someone know of a faster train I could take? I am totally hopeless at all this searching for different train companies on the internet. Why can't I just phone up one @@%%$$$ number and get all the information I need from there? If it's a 5 hour journey, I may have to reconsider the w/e.....and I was so looking forward to it. Paula - how are you getting there? I would happily drive if it wasn't so far..................

Help!!

Padma

Padma

Your research is spot on.

I've just double-checked and the train journey from London will indeed take just over 5 hours via Birmingham including over 2 hours in Birmingham waiting for your connection thru to Barmouth.

According to the AA the the best route from London to Barmouth by car is 227 miles

(going via Milton Keynes/Northampton/Coventry/Birmingham/Telford/Shrewsbury/Barmouth)

with an estimated driving time of 4 and half hours.

It's annoying that they always decide to put mountains in the middle of nowhere.

Anyways I hope you decide to join us despite the journey time.

Ta Ken

Hi Padma,
The journey will be ok. The journey to Birmingham takes 1 hr 25 mins ,then a 16 min wait in Birmingham and then a 3 hour 23 min trip through a scenic landscape to Barmouth.

If you book the 1043 train on Sept. 10th from Euston you will arrive in Barmouth at 1547 the price at the moment is only £7.50 !!!
Returning from Barmouth on the 14th Sept on the 0859 train, you will arrive in Euston at 1414.
The price for that trip is also £7.50.
Prices for different trains on the same dates are more expensive and these £7.50 fares won't last long.
When you book tickets on trainline

http://www.thetrainline.com/default.asp ... 0087314856

use the 'book 2 single tickets' option.

There may be another solution but the train journey won't be as bad as you fear and will be a lot cheaper.(and easier than some of Diane's planned walks)
Hope this helps.
For that price I'm tempted to travel from Liverpool to London to begin my journey!!!

Deal, kwills!

Padma I really hope you can make it.

Joe your old ladies' story reminds me of Lance Armstrong's story of how (after his cancer treatment) he was so unfit that he was riding his racing bike uphill one day and an old lady on a shopping bike passed him. Of course he went on to win the Tour de France seven times and came third in it again a couple of days ago. So, never be put off by old ladies, some of whom are actually very fit.

tinderella wrote:I have not had a moment to do the required training, but I run up and down stairs all day in work and at home... will that be enough?

Tinders, you did download the training schedule? This week you should be on part 18.

Oh dear ... panic panic panic !!!

Judy it might be that I am pulling Tinders' leg:-) (Well, it's the only way to get it to move.)

As a matter of interest, how many are going on this trip now?

Diane wrote:Judy it might be that I am pulling Tinders' leg:-) (Well, it's the only way to get it to move.)

Diane wrote: Joe your old ladies' story reminds me of Lance Armstrong's story of how (after his cancer treatment) he was so unfit that he was riding his racing bike uphill one day and an old lady on a shopping bike passed him. Of course he went on to win the Tour de France seven times and came third in it again a couple of days ago. So, never be put off by old ladies, some of whom are actually very fit.

Diane - I don't know what the old lady had swallowed but I have quite an idea what helped Lance Armstrong to be so strong.

Let's take a bit of the same.

H.

Thanks folks for pm's etc - the train and b&b are booked! See you all soon......!!!!!!!

Padma

If my sister is coming with me after all, I will not be getting the early morning flight ( which i booked also) but the afternoon one instead.
Then we won't be getting the offered lifts but the trains instead, so any info on trains after 2 30pm from Manchester to Barmouth would be greatly appreciated..

thanks in advance

Bernadine

Henning wrote: Let's take a bit of the same.

Henning I know you will be sending your towel up on the early train to reserve a place on the summit but please leave your other customs at home. I will research the optimum number of performance-enhancing beers you should drink.

Tinderella emails on the way. Nice one, Padma! Tony there are 27 of us in total.