Nice people thread part 7 - a thread in its prime

zagubov

lostinrates wrote: »

That's so funny gdb!

Cars are a pain, but if I go I know I cannot cope with public transport ATM after the train journey so it's a car or taxis. I also cannot do the return trip in a day but I have a friend who I desperately want to see, hence trying to go and seeing if we can reasonably make it an overnight stay.

The factors need to be, affordable, realistic for me (one busy day is fine ATM, two consecutive might be tough though) and preferably before a weekend with rubbish weather so that I don't feel like I have to acheive so much here and instead recover! It's a long journey for me these days!

For my old friend's funeral near Carlisle the nearest airport was Newcastle. Got a flight there from Gatwick and return to Heathrow all within one day. Don't know how handy you are for any airports lir but I'd have thought heathrow or gatwick or southampton maybe not too far from you.

Gatwick and southampton would be better to fly from as heathrow's hell-on-earth - but OK to return to as you're not hanging around. The metro's fine to use- the airport staff - and everybody else - were very friendly and helpful to a clueless visitor like me (northerners, you see, ). Obviously there would be taxis and car hire from the airport.

About £90 inc.tax newc to heathrow booked direct BA via ebookers. The flight up was from Gatwick to newcastle by flybe and cost a similar price- I think. These were bought two days ahead, so maybe you can get cheaper if you have notice.

It's the only time I've been to Newcastle but it looked interesting (but shame about the circumstances I was there).

lostinrates

zagubov wrote: »

For my old friend's funeral near Carlisle the nearest airport was Newcastle. Got a flight there from Gatwick and return to Heathrow all within one day. Don't know how handy you are for any airports lir but I'd have thought heathrow or gatwick or southampton maybe not too far from you.

Gatwick and southampton would be better to fly from as heathrow's hell-on-earth - but OK to return to as you're not hanging around. The metro's fine to use- the airport staff - and everybody else - were very friendly and helpful (northerners, you see, )Obviously there would be taxis and car hire from the airport.

About £90 , and £90 inc.tax newc to heathrow booked direct BA via ebookers. The flight up was from Gatwick to newcastle by flybe and cost a similar price- I think. These were bought two days ahead, so maybe you can get cheaper if you have notice.

It's the only time I've been to Newcastle but it looked interesting (but shame about the circumstances I was there).

I am not allowed to fly ATM......air pressure and broken brains don't mix. Nopt allowed to scuba dive either.:D

Go on, someone tell me Newcastle is the best Scuba diving outside of the great barrier reef.....:D


The length of the flight would be better, (though in fact the train from London is quick, it's usually return in one day I am assured) but the flying while it would not kill me it would defeat the object of being able to do something there.

Slightly worried five hours travelling each way might be too though. Not sure, thinking about it. Don't want to ask friend because raises expectations.

michaels

Well coop bank have given me a free 28 day option on 5 years at 2.79% then a further 150 to extend the option for another 3 months So plenty of time to see if any better deals materialise.

hjd

lostinrates wrote: »

I am not allowed to fly ATM......air pressure and broken brains don't mix. Nopt allowed to scuba dive either.:D

Go on, someone tell me Newcastle is the best Scuba diving outside of the great barrier reef.....:D


The length of the flight would be better, (though in fact the train from London is quick, it's usually return in one day I am assured) but the flying while it would not kill me it would defeat the object of being able to do something there.

Slightly worried five hours travelling each way might be too though. Not sure, thinking about it. Don't want to ask friend because raises expectations.

I don't think Newcastle is noted as the Scuba diving capital of the North East so you're probably safe there.
The train journey from Kings Cross is really easy and at least on a train you can get up and stretch your legs, not penned in like you are on a plane. We have flown to Newcastle from Heathrow and from Southampton (on separate occasions) and really, the train is much more convenient. You arrive in the city centre, probably on the platform where you don't even have to go over the bridge to get out to the taxi rank. Royal Station Hotel is at the station if that is any good, don't know what it's like now though.

lostinrates

hjd wrote: »

I don't think Newcastle is noted as the Scuba diving capital of the North East so you're probably safe there.
The train journey from Kings Cross is really easy and at least on a train you can get up and stretch your legs, not penned in like you are on a plane. We have flown to Newcastle from Heathrow and from Southampton (on separate occasions) and really, the train is much more convenient. You arrive in the city centre, probably on the platform where you don't even have to go over the bridge to get out to the taxi rank. Royal Station Hotel is at the station if that is any good, don't know what it's like now though.

Thanks. Would have to think about London changes....sit move sit is the hardest.....if only I could sit with my legs raised!:o

I like trains, I like the rhythm and the movement and having a picnic if it's at a meal time and listening to other peoples converstations:o and making faces at children or travelling dogs.

chewmylegoff

GDB2222 wrote: »

Inverse bond ETFs. Does anyone know if there are any linked to long-dated UK government bonds, preferably leveraged?

Deutsche Bank have XUGS but inversely tracks gilt index not just long dated gilts. I doubt you want to buy in blocks of £100,000 so short futures probably not an option!

michaels

lostinrates wrote: »

Thanks. Would have to think about London changes....sit move sit is the hardest.....if only I could sit with my legs raised!:o

I like trains, I like the rhythm and the movement and having a picnic if it's at a meal time and listening to other peoples converstations:o and making faces at children or travelling dogs.

You are very welcome to drive to ours and we could drop you to Stevenage.

GDB2222

chewmylegoff wrote: »

Deutsche Bank have XUGS but inversely tracks gilt index not just long dated gilts. I doubt you want to buy in blocks of £100,000 so short futures probably not an option!

Uncovered futures are a bit scary, regardless of amount! :eek:

Thanks very much for the XUGS suggestion. It is good of you to look it up. I am having trouble finding out much about the underlying index, but I think I'm happy enough with a broad spread of gilts. Do you think that's the only ETF that meets my criteria?

lostinrates

michaels wrote: »

You are very welcome to drive to ours and we could drop you to Stevenage.

That's so kind.

I will think about it. I would go in feb.

sss555s

zagubov wrote: »

For my old friend's funeral near Carlisle the nearest airport was Newcastle. Got a flight there from Gatwick and return to Heathrow all within one day. Don't know how handy you are for any airports lir but I'd have thought heathrow or gatwick or southampton maybe not too far from you.

Gatwick and southampton would be better to fly from as heathrow's hell-on-earth - but OK to return to as you're not hanging around. The metro's fine to use- the airport staff - and everybody else - were very friendly and helpful to a clueless visitor like me (northerners, you see, ). Obviously there would be taxis and car hire from the airport.

About £90 inc.tax newc to heathrow booked direct BA via ebookers. The flight up was from Gatwick to newcastle by flybe and cost a similar price- I think. These were bought two days ahead, so maybe you can get cheaper if you have notice.

It's the only time I've been to Newcastle but it looked interesting (but shame about the circumstances I was there).

Got me thinking...

I've flown from Prestwick, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff, Heathrow, Gatwick and Carlisle where I was doing the flying in one of those "birthday" flying lessons around 20 years ago.

The first 6 are within 1.30-2.20 hrs from me. That's what happens when you don't live near an airport.

I've not been to Newcastle for some years but the airport is small and easy to navigate through.

In general, the smaller the airport the better.