Christmas Park Challenge 2016 - Sat 17th December

[Elsie]

:ShakesFistAtTrainCompanies:

I can get to/from London on the 10th Dec for under £40, early start/late finish - well I could if I wasn't going to watch my beloved Leicester City play Man City on that day.
On the 17th, there are no cheap 'Advance' fares; the minimum I can find is £86 return from Chesterfield. If I drive to Nottingham (i.e. closer to London), the price jumps to £120 return?

The Advance fares appear to stop on Fri Dec 16th. If I was being cynical, it looks like they have stopped cheaper advance fares just before a rush for Christmas bookings as people try to get home or do last minute big city shopping. As much as I love travelling by train (and I could probably do without driving after exiting/entering multiple tube stations), I'll drive to save money.

[crypto]

Advance fares typically go on sale about 12 weeks before date of travel (I make 12 weeks from now the 12th December), so if you hang around for an extra week and check again, see what the prices look like.

[The Orange One]

You may also want to consider booking a Megatrain ticket, though I'm not sure how far in advance it is possible to do so!

Speaking of that corporation Megabus is also possible (from Nottingham at least), which I believe is in the ballpark of £5.00? Just an idea.

[palkanetoijala31]

anybody got a copy of that handy park challenge map

[Elsie]

Sorted! Your suggestions to persevere have paid off and I've a return from East Midlands Parkway for £44.

From the vote I realise that the day mightchange and if it does, c'et la vie! I'll still come down and do the route I've planned on the 17th as it'll be my only opportunity ... and as 'er indoors has given me a pass out, I'm gonna use it!

[Going Underground]

anybody got a copy of that handy park challenge map

Think I have at home, will try and find...

[nozzacook]

Gladstone suits me as not done that one yet. Would prefer 10th but can make 17th as well.

[Going Underground]

Poll closed and 17th Dec was one vote ahead so OP edited...

[palkanetoijala31]

is Holland park open I got my route sorted and the starting position gives me an oppurtunity to try out a run i have always wanted to do.

[Going Underground]

is Holland park open I got my route sorted and the starting position gives me an oppurtunity to try out a run i have always wanted to do.

I believe it is open now, if not there will be a quick revised start from Holland Park

[Elsie]

is Holland park open I got my route sorted and the starting position gives me an oppurtunity to try out a run i have always wanted to do.

I can't find it now but I tweeted TFL a couple of weeks ago and they confirmed it was open.

[michael_churchill]

is Holland park open I got my route sorted and the starting position gives me an oppurtunity to try out a run i have always wanted to do.

Definitely open. I went through there on Saturday (and photographed labyrinth 132). It still looks a bit undecorated though. There are no line diagrams or adverts on the tunnel wall opposite the platform.

[Going Underground]

Attending; GU
Gladstone parkrun; GU
Other parkrun;
Post Challenge meet up Lord Denman, Dagenham Heathway; GU

(anyone not able to make the post challenge can text their result to me)

[The Orange One]

Well, I bashed out a route today before my uni workload becomes too horrific for me to spend an afternoon working on timings. It turns out that both park stations on the Central Line are an absolute pain in the neck this year...

I mean, I anticipated this, but it's still extraordinarily aggravating!!

[Elsie]

For the route I've planned, the Central Line stations are both arriving on a train, leaving to get a picture and then catching a bus.

When I the Zone 1/AZ/Bottle challenges in August, my other half said "It shouldn't count if you're sitting on the train; you should have to get off at every station you go through". Now I've shown her the Park route and explained I will be entering/exiting all 24 stations, she's with a look of "You're [not allowed to swear] nuts".

I just can't win.