briantrumpet
Shaman
FWIW, I did do the journey once on a bike, door to door. Took me a week: Topsham to Portsmouth (140 miles over two days, taking it easy), then five days St Malo to Die (600 miles). That was an unforgettable experience.
Climate Crisis: Are we doing enough?
- Thread starter Banderill
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First Aspect
Guru
It is actually remarkable how long it can take to get to any coast from the trunk roads in the south west. Said trunk roads are also amongst the worst for unexpected tail backs, due to the odd mix of traffic.
The rail options are dreadful also. So are the coach and bus options.
The rail options are dreadful also. So are the coach and bus options.
briantrumpet
Shaman
I remember one time (c. 1983) heading off to Portsmouth on the A30 before it had been dualled to Honiton, and it was crawling along, mile after mile. Got to a bit of dual carriageway (can't remember where, but maybe at Honiton itself), and there were not one, but two Austin Allegros in convoy, that had been holding back the ever-lengthening queue from Exeter.
bobzmyunkle
Veteran
They weren't that bad when they were running, were they?
briantrumpet
Shaman
It was the drivers, not the cars (even given their Quartic steering wheels). They seemed to be the choice of old ladies or men with driving caps and gloves.
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
Not suggesting this is a viable option, but I always find flying a really miserable experience, so do my best to avoid it. For example, London-Edinburgh is about five hours on both the train and by flying, so I would usually choose the train particularly if my destination is walking distance from Edinburgh station.
briantrumpet
Shaman
Yes, it cheered me up avoiding CDG & BRS on the way back, as well as the functional-but-tedious bus back to Exeter. To be fair to both airports, they are like any other airport (and CDG is fine once you know what's what, and the TGV in the basement is brilliant). I'll definitely be putting Eurostar in my options looking ahead, as the journey, as without the Exeter-CDG option, I'm doing an overnight somewhere, and Lille might be good for that. Looking at tickets from Lille Europe to Valence TGV, I could do that for about £60 next week, or £40 booking further ahead, so basically the same price as from CDG.
Rusty Nails
Country Member
It’s about time we had a thread on the best service stations on the motorway network.
spen666
Über Member
Teabay - thread closed
Pblakeney
Guru
Can't remember the name but there's a decent one on the M6 north of the Lake District.
Can't even remember if it is northbound or southbound. Sorry.
Edit: - Tebay is the one as per Spen.
Psamathe
Guru
Might it be a very very short thread?
Overpriced petrol ✓
Overpriced food ✓
Poor quality food ✓
etc.
Can't think of any I've ever been "impressed" with (but must admit to not having been in one for many years).
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
Gone downhill in my view since it was on TV. That said, I don't own a car, so I don't experience many.
Rusty Nails
Country Member
Aaaaaargh!
Serves me right. That’s the last time I try sarcasm.
Serves me right. That’s the last time I try sarcasm.
icowden
Shaman
I own an EV so I don't experience many. One of the brilliant things about EVs is not having to use motorway service stations :-)
PurplePenguin
Well-Known Member
Fear not. They have chargers for you to enjoy.
