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Am thinking about my first air flight to England >>
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 6:01 am
by MORTARDUDE
Just found out I can fly over there for $ 280 on Northwest Airlines. It would be my first international flight, save for the one where I was drafted and was sent to kill small asian fellows.
Anyway, I have read a lot of bad things about Heathrow Airport. Is it really the morass it appears ? I would be flying alone..divorce and all that, and the London area looks overwhelming. Is it possible to hook up with someone at the airport to find you a less expensive place to stay and be a guide also ?
This is sort of a spur of the moment idea, as I just saw the rate, and it has to be taken by 12/20/07. I am sure I will have to make arrangements soon.
Have been to a lot of funerals the past 2 years, including my uncle's today, and I just want to see a few things before they are playing "Taps" for me....
I visited a old Vietnam buddy of mine in Hawaii last month. He moved there last November. I stayed 10 days and it was wonderful......
Any help appreciated.
Thanks.
Larry
Memphis, Tennessee
USA
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 1:45 pm
by Hyperlithe
If you're looking for an inexpensive place to stay, you could look at the Union Jack Club...
http://www.ujclub.co.uk/
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 4:28 pm
by Wholley
Larry.
You have a PM inbound.
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 5:55 pm
by MORTARDUDE
Union Jack Club...
looks like i would have to pay 28 and 1/2 pounds to join ( so it should ne $ 14 )
how much are the cheapest rooms..couldn't tell from the website. thanks.
larry
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 5:56 pm
by MORTARDUDE
i see it..it was under "tariff" ??/ that is what we charge foreign products to come into the USA...lol
my gosh ! $ 25 a night ! Is it booked up most of the time ? I wonder if my Veterans Adminstration ID card would be good enough proof ( I am rated 100% disabled ) or also need a copy of my DD214 ( discharge paper work ? )
About how far is it from Gatwick airport ?
Super Duper !
Larry
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 6:09 pm
by harry hackedoff
Larry how are you, old chap? Send a pm to English Rose, she used towork at the UJC and will have all the answers mate. How long are you planning to stay in England?
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 6:39 pm
by MORTARDUDE
Hi Harry :
I'm doing well. Have had a lot of personal and family problems to overcome over the past 3 years, put thru faith in God, I am able to deal with it all better.
Not sure how long I will stay...just found this great rate on an air fare, and just have to go somewhere..maybe 4 days or so...Just sort of winging it right now...Thanks for the contact info. It sounds like a great place !
All the best,
Larry
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 6:47 pm
by MORTARDUDE
Harry :
I didn't realize you live in Australia, until just now..stigmatism I guess..lol. I can travel there for about the same price during this special rate for folks on NWA who have saved their frequent flyer miles. Of course, you don't get any of them for this trip....
I went to OZ in August 1970 for R & R. We landed in Perth first ( I think ),
and they left all the planes from Vietnam at one end of the airfield and hosed them down. ( It really happened ! lol ). We then flew all across that great red continent to Sydney. I had a great time. The folks there were great. Australia is a close second possible destination on my little get a way.
Thanks for the contact about the UJC.
All the best,
Larry
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 6:58 pm
by harry hackedoff
Mate, if you`re only away for four days, I`d forget OZ
You`d spend four days just on the flights from and to Memphis
Four days isn`t even enough to see London, never mind lill ole England. Take a ferry from Westminster to Greenwich, a slow one with commentary and a bar. You`ll love it mate and Greenwich will blow you away! All of it was out of date before the US of A was even thought of

Then there`s the London Eye, spend forty minutes high over London and see all the famous landmarks. They look much better from up there

Science museum, Imperial War Museum, Natural History Museum, etc etc. You`ll have a ball Mortars

When are you going?
Posted: Sat 22 Sep, 2007 8:51 pm
by MORTARDUDE
Ah... the 4 to 5 days was boots on the ground....flight time is just a necessary evil...as I said, just kind of putting this together now...not really sure of anything yet. I suspect it may be in early December, but just a guess...
Larry
Posted: Sun 23 Sep, 2007 8:09 am
by anglo-saxon
Larry: Looks like you have your currency conversion bass ackwards. You need to double the pound rate to get the $ rate, not half it. 28.5 pounds is about US$57.00 (and CDN$ too, for that matter, as we come up to par on Friday - think I'll be going shopping in Seattle soon!).
Posted: Sun 23 Sep, 2007 4:23 pm
by harry hackedoff
Larry, till she made me a Grand Dad, my daughter was the London manager for visitbritain.com. amongst other things.
Let me know the exact dates and a brief wish list and I’ll get you a tailored itinerary

Do it by pm
On the 81, did your mfcs have a heart?
And I don`t mean the sixties ditty from popular Liverpool songstress, Miss Cilla Black of the same title

Posted: Sun 23 Sep, 2007 5:16 pm
by English Rose
Hi!
My uncle is a Vietnam veteran who lives in Hawaii - give him a shout for me
At the UJC you'd be classed as Temp Honorary Member so for the cheapest room (single/shared bathroom) you would be charged at 38GBP per night. Unless you were an Officer, in which case you'd be charged Officer's rates regardless of which country you served. If you stay for 7 days plus you'll also get a 10% discount.
To be honest, it was a while ago and I can't remember for sure I'm not sure if you'd qualify to stay there as ex-US Forces, I think it's just serving overseas personnel . I can have it confirmed by a mate who still works there though, if you'd like? Just let me know.
If not, you can definitely stay at the Victory Services Club
VSC
From £28 per night in single, shared bathroom set up.
Hope that helps. If you want me to find out more, just click the PM button

Posted: Sun 23 Sep, 2007 5:22 pm
by harry hackedoff
Heyup S, how`s Boredom suiting you
Hope it`s all good matey with you and the blork
Give the baby a squeeze from Uncle `Arry

Posted: Sun 23 Sep, 2007 8:29 pm
by MORTARDUDE
harry hackedoff wrote:Heyup S, how`s Boredom suiting you
Hope it`s all good matey with you and the blork
Give the baby a squeeze from Uncle `Arry

Have no idea what you mean ? I am divorced and my two grown sons live with me...not too boring. Am finding lots to do.
Larry