Request for help or suggestions

To all who have kindly answered and offered suggestions I'd like to extend my thanks. I've been "off grid" for a couple of weeks due to end-of-year exams, paperwork, etc.

I feel somewhat overwhelmed by the amount of things I'd like to be able to do and the short time I'll have to actually do some.

I guess that after this forthcoming trip there'll have to be a second one to catch all those things I'll have to miss this time round. I'm now printing out (sorry about the ink and paper expended) the whole thread to begin to put together some sort of schedule of activities.

Once again I'd like to close thanking all those who have input ideas and suggestions and I'll certainly keep all in mind (kindly ) whilst wandering around the UK.

Further question to Londoners,

I have located a nice looking flat for rent. The flat is located at Maritime Quay (on Thames Path) overlooking the Thames. It's a couple of blocks away from Masthouse Terrace Pier and within walking distance of the Island Gardens DLR station (around 1/2 mile) and about the same distance to Mudshute station.

From what I gather it's about a 20 minute ride to Bank and a good place to catch the tube to just about anywhere.

Any comments on the neighbourhood? Is it a safeish place to be around in the evenings? I mean no offence to anyone but I've no idea of how secure different parts of London are. The cost appears to be a reasonable amount (aprox. 1650 GBP per month). This means it's an option for using it as a base of operations (i.e. take off a couple of days somewhere and have "home" to come back to). I'll be contacting the Letting Agency to gather extra info (such as Admin fees, etc.)

As a reference I've found B&B for 2 at GBP 105 per night and a big room (up to 5) at GBP 160. As a very gross calculation, I get a months sleeping place (no breakfasts) for the equivalent of 10 nights at a B&B (albeit somewhat closer to downtown - Victoria Station). Most B&Bs found are upwards of GBP 80 per night.

Have a Happy New Year!

The cost appears to be a reasonable amount (aprox. 1650 GBP per month). This means it's an option for using it as a base of operations (i.e. take off a couple of days somewhere and have "home" to come back to). I'll be contacting the Letting Agency to gather extra info (such as Admin fees, etc.)

Further question to Londoners,

I have located a nice looking flat for rent. The flat is located at Maritime Quay (on Thames Path) overlooking the Thames. It's a couple of blocks away from Masthouse Terrace Pier and within walking distance of the Island Gardens DLR station (around 1/2 mile) and about the same distance to Mudshute station.

From what I gather it's about a 20 minute ride to Bank and a good place to catch the tube to just about anywhere.

Any comments on the neighbourhood? Is it a safeish place to be around in the evenings? I mean no offence to anyone but I've no idea of how secure different parts of London are. The cost appears to be a reasonable amount (aprox. 1650 GBP per month). This means it's an option for using it as a base of operations (i.e. take off a couple of days somewhere and have "home" to come back to). I'll be contacting the Letting Agency to gather extra info (such as Admin fees, etc.)

As a reference I've found B&B for 2 at GBP 105 per night and a big room (up to 5) at GBP 160. As a very gross calculation, I get a months sleeping place (no breakfasts) for the equivalent of 10 nights at a B&B (albeit somewhat closer to downtown - Victoria Station). Most B&Bs found are upwards of GBP 80 per night.

Have a Happy New Year!

We would like to see some of the "real" Scotland (not just potter around cities). Have you any suggestions as to what would be a good itinerary for those days? As mentioned, I'd like to end up on the 27th at one of the main stations to catch the sleeper (I don't necessarily prefer any of the stations in particular).

* 24/SEP Edinburgh to Inverness (ScotRail on a 158!!! - 10:35 (1st???) Class). I know the scots are supposed to be thrifty but the service on this train was PATHETIC!!! - Onboard service was Tea or Coffee and a "complimentary" little square of pastry, seats were the same as Standard (not quite comfortable for a 3 and a half hour trip), no wifi, no sockets, frankly quite below expectations.

21/SEP York to Edinburgh (Virgin, missed the class but I'd suspect HST 225)

From what I gathered from the onboard staff, the 10:35 is *always* a 158 (which given the long journey I can't quite understand). I'm not "hitting" the 158 but it's really not something you want to plan for on 3 and a half hours of travelling. Also (not mentioned before) no extra leg-room :doh

Most definitely power doors (it looked like a 91 or 92 - don't know the difference myself) and very sleek (a train a few minutes earlier on P11 was a CrossCountry 220 which we zipped past on the way). Quite a nippy trip and judging by the way scenery slipped by, quite fast (maybe not as much as the Euro$tar's 300 km/h but definitely fast).

From what I gathered from the onboard staff, the 10:35 is *always* a 158 (which given the long journey I can't quite understand). I'm not "hitting" the 158 but it's really not something you want to plan for on 3 and a half hours of travelling. Also (not mentioned before) no extra leg-room :doh

York to EDB,
Most definitely power doors (it looked like a 91 or 92 - don't know the difference myself) and very sleek (a train a few minutes earlier on P11 was a CrossCountry 220 which we zipped past on the way). Quite a nippy trip and judging by the way scenery slipped by, quite fast (maybe not as much as the Euro$tar's 300 km/h but definitely fast).