Planning Fail

[taffimai]

I looked at my calendar this morning and realized that I leave for London in nine days! I have done nothing to prepare for this trip short of buying plane tickets, making some hotel reservations, and buying a ticket to JB's concert. You know, the necessities. *facepalm*

Here's what I need to figure out: What should I do while in London? Anyone want to get together for coffee or sightseeing? Should I do a side trip somewhere in the UK? Or even to Paris?

[Poll #1401824]

Comments

[cheesygirl.livejournal.com]

There's so much to do and you have two weeks! I think you can fit in a lot of stuff. I'm a museum whore so that's what I'd do. IMO the British Museum and the National Gallery are tops, but there's also the Science Museum, the Natural History museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the London Museum, the Museum of the Docklands, the Tate galleries, the National Portrait Gallery, etc.

The Tower of London is a must-see I suppose, but be ready for crowds and lots of queueing. I had the best time just walking through the different neighborhoods looking at stuff and popping into shops and things. I'll be there in two weeks myself! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Oh, for side trips, I'd rec Stratford on Avon (about 2 hours by train) or Windsor Castle (maybe 1 hr by train?).

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Hee! We should get together over there. Would be a little silly to leave the country to meet for coffee, but who cares?

[kivrin.livejournal.com]

I really liked Oxford, but if you don't have the Dorothy L. Sayers bug, that is probably not as important. So I guess my advice is "go to Oxford if that occupies important fannish/imaginative space for you, otherwise soak up London!"

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Considering that I had to google Dorothy L. Sayers ... yeah. I'm sure London will be enough for me!

[zortified.livejournal.com]

angstslashhope is in Bristol! Poke her and you two can go to Cardiff. Without me.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Except that I don't know her. Well, other than leaving her feedback once or twice. I don't think she'd want to go to Cardiff with me, is all.

[zortified.livejournal.com]

But she would go with me! And you would go with me! So you're practically best friends!

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, your logic is unassailable.

*pokes her*

[hope]

CARRRRDIFFFFFFF

It's my totem animal. Seriously, I go and saddle up the invisible lift like, every second week.

In nine days I'll either still be in Bristol or back in London myself. I would be happy to hang out, either way :) (Yay fen!)

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

What is there to do in Cardiff? Not that the invisible lift doesn't sound like fun....

Hanging out would be great!

[hope]

Cardiff Castle is also lovely, and if you like castles the Caerphilly Castle is also a short train trip away. Mermaid Quay/Roald Dahl Plass/the Millennium Centre is all a very lovely area too (I like to just hang out there when I go!). There's also a nice walk around the bay to Cardiff Barrage and from there to Penarth, Penarth Pier is very pretty. If you're into that sort of thing, there's also a museum/gallery. Oh! And there's a permanent Doctor Who exhibition with props and costumes and things.

My Wales flickr tag is here (though that includes some roadtripping I did around South Wales).

Also, you can eat Welshcakes, laugh at the sheep poo paper and attempt to read the bilingual signs. IT'S A VERITABLE PILGRIMAGE if you're a Whoniverse fan.

ETA: that said, I've spent some time in London too and can help with touristy things there too :) (If zortified didn't mention it, I am an Aussie being an expat in the UK at the moment, I've only been here since January!)

(edited again because I can't spell)

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I'm very impressed by your photography; those pictures are gorgeous!

You know, I kind of thought that sheep poo paper was just RPG insanity. I'm a little frightened to find out that it's an actual thing.

I'm still trying to decide on whether to venture outside London, and if o to where. London touristy things would be wonderful too!

How long are you in the UK? Sounds like quite the adventure!

[hope]

o cheers matey!

I am here for however long I feel like; at least a year.

If you're planning on going out of London then I'd advice deciding and buying your train tickets ASAP (if that's how you want to travel) - advance fares are quite reasonable but the closer you get the more ridiculously expensive it is (eg. £10 vs. £50).

[miladygrey.livejournal.com]

Edinburgh is more like a weekend trip--five hours by train from Kings Cross--but it's a great city, and Edinburgh Castle alone is worth the trip. So is this little fudge shop on the Royal Mile. *grins*

Seconding other folks' recommendations of the Tate Gallery (not so much the Tate Modern, unless modern art and lots of British teens dressed in black trying to be cool is your thing) and the Imperial War Museum. Although you will cry.

You have JB tickets!!! I am green with envy.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Well, I have three nights which I have not yet booked a hotel for, so a weekend trip is definitely on the table.

Don't be too jealous of the JB tickets. Turns out that I'm headed to the UK and his schedule has him headed to the US to do a con here. I was most aggrieved at the timing.

[stackcats.livejournal.com]

Want to see the Science museum? I'd love to go, and it occurred to me I can do it the same day I go to London for the Joe Abercrombie signing, and if you want someone to do museums with, I'd love to :)
(My friend Astrid (gestapokitty) would possibly come too)

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

That would be wonderful! That's the 5th, right? Also, who's Joe Abercrombie?

[stackcats.livejournal.com]

Yup, the 5th. I'm confirming tomorrow with my boss that I won't be working that day.

Joe Abercrombie is a fairly new fantasy author. His new book is out on the 1st. Very excited for it! He also has a rather amusing blog on his site.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I thought he might have something to do with the clothing store. But that makes much more sense! Let me know what your boss says?

[stackcats.livejournal.com]

LOL - very appropriate icon!

And I'll keep you posted :0)

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I was very excited to have a chance to use it!