Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Oh help I have tickets to take the eldest daughter to see The Kaiser Chiefs tonight at Earls Court,London. We have had it planned for weeks.Hubby was going to drive up there & drop us off then take the youngest girl into London for a few hours to look around,then come & pick us up after the concert. However, he now wants me to drive there all on my own,get parked (there is no pre booked parking left) & drive home afterwards. Neither he nor the youngest want to spen 4 hours in London waiting for us. Shame they didn't say that before I booked the tickets! I have never driven out of my comfort area before, never driven this far & never in London, & I am feeling all pathitic & wobbly just thinking about it And what if the car park is full????? Any tips or suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Eeek personaly I wouldnt want to drive in London ever! how about getting a train? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 Don't do trains I hate anything where I am stuck there & can't get out (have to take Diazapam on a plane) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 How about hubby bribery??? Suggest he take youngest to a nice show then dinner afterwards and you'll pay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 AArgh - I would have a total panic if I had to drive to London can't you get your husband to take her and you stay at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Do you have a GPS? Practice driving to some new places? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Cinnamon If you're worried about not getting being able to get out of a train, then you can get a slow train from Maidenhead *get hubby to drive you to Maidenhead or Slough station) which stops at nearly every station. There are approximately 15 stations between Maidenhead and Paddington, so you're only ever 5-10 mins between stops, and you could get out and wait for a later train if necessary. (Although personally I would get a fast train and get it over with). You could then get a Cab from Paddington to the theatre so you don't have to do the Tube. It'll be much much much less hassle than driving and trying to park. Or get your hubby to drive in and drop you off and then come back and collect you. EDITED TO ADD: Oh, I see they are at Earls court, ignore previous message. It's really easy to get to Earls Court by car, just leave plenty of time so you can be sure of a parking space in the underground car park there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 I really,really do not do trains. Ever. Not an option.......I hate them Sorry Hubby may drive us in & collect us, but it means coming back with the youngest at 11 ish They are also looking into movies to see in town while they wait to pick us up again. I just wish I was one of those women who can just jump in the car & grive to wherever they need to go without a care in the world,but I am not. i have phoned the car park,& they say that there should be spaces still as its huge & 'never fills up.' I also have their postcode for the Sat nav, which makes me feel a little bit braver should it come to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Go for it Cinnamon! If you have a sat nav it should be easy (?) you'll be fine, there'll be plenty of room in the car park. Why don't you leave home really early so you can take your time, get something to eat before the show then wait til everyone's left at the end so you're not being hassled by other motorists on the way out. I know you can do it and you'll feel SO proud of yourself after. Or just tell hubby he HAS to take you and he'll just have to watch two films back to back and eat his own body weight in popcorn whilst he waits! The Kaiser Cheifs will be SO worth it! Have a great time however you get there, let us know how you get on. Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I just wish I was one of those women who can just jump in the car & grive to wherever they need to go without a care in the world,but I am not. Neither am I. When I had my mini I would drive anywhere, & that was before mobile phones. Now I think twice about where I drive to, & I have a reliable car now.The mini was temperamental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I can understand how you feel about driving into London. I have only done it a couple of times and am always a nervous wreck. You will be fine though and have a fantastic show to look forward to as well. Good Luck and have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Cinnamon, I do understand your fears, I am not that keen on train travel either, but I quite enjoy it when I do it, can't do the tube though Driving in London isnn't 'that' bad, it's like driving in any busy town only moreso Keep calm, don't be hassled by other drivers and with Satnav you can't possibly get lost The car park will be fine, you sensibly checked this already. As someone else said if you do it you will feel so proud of yourself When I face my fears and do something scary I always buy myself a small reward Good luck and I hope you enjoy the show. Tessa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 When I face my fears and do something scary I always buy myself a small reward Good luck and I hope you enjoy the show. Tessa. Well,i have been thinking about getting a cube..................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Cinnamon wrote: Well,i have been thinking about getting a cube..................... [/color] Atta girl There you go I bet you're looking forward to the trip now Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Honestly Cinnamon, Earls Courst isn't too bad, it's really not like "driving in London". At the end of the M4 it's quite busy, but the lanes are reasonably wide and straight. It's not like driving into theatreland, honestly. btw, as well as the Satnab, I would give your daugter a streetmap of London, just for the bit where you turn right off the A4 so she can reassure you that you're taking the correct turning (although it IS well signposted) Good practice for her too. And when you've done it reward yourself by ordering a Cube. (Either as a "didn't I do well" or a "that was really awful I need something to compensate"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 As WitchHazel said, it is on the right side of London and really not far off the M4. As others have said, I would leave in plenty of time so you can park stress free and grab something to eat. Go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I am not very brave when it comes to driving to new places, but it is for the kaizer cheifs. I am soooo jealous. Go for it and good luck, just think how proud you will feel afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Go for it. You will be fine I'm sure. Think "cube" if you feel a bit wobbly and it will soon pass. Enjoy the concert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 We went to the Kaiser Chiefs last week at Newcastle, they were superb. Do you have seats or are you in the standing section? If you are in the standing area wear something waterproof especially if you are at the front We had seats (recommended) Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 I do hope that she went Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Well, she's not posted anything on the forum since 2.40pm......that must be a good sign! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Lets hope she used the sat nav - or she'll not be posting again before Monday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted December 16, 2007 Share Posted December 16, 2007 Morning, How was the concert? Did you have a fab time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted December 16, 2007 Author Share Posted December 16, 2007 Thanks all - we had an amazing time The Hubby did drive us up there & took the youngest into town for a wander, which they really enjoyed. It was packed out after the show,so I was glad to just be able to flop into the car & let him tackle the drive home - plus my ears were ringing,which made me feel really weird However,now that I know how easy it is to get to,I would certainly consider the drive myself next time The Kaiser Chiefs were FANTASTIC.We were seated in the block nearest the stage,3 rows from the front,so had a great view. The support band,The Pigeon Detectives were brilliant too. My daughter had a great time & managed to meet up with some of her pals from the KC forums. We couldn't believe how rough the mid standing area looked & were glad to be able to observe from a distance- so many people pulled over the barriers! And my ears are STILL ringing this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...