Plotting

[cornerofmadness]

I could use a little help from the UK crew. I’m working up my proposal to go to Wales. I think I have a decent shot at this but there is so much I don’t know. I contacted the Madog Center today on campus (We are the only Welsh preservationists around in these parts) but they are woefully uninformative. They could tell me what past recipients have done and what I’m supposed to do when I get back from this research trip but what happens across the pond is very muddy.

Theoretically I can probably stay at the college for a few days. It’s in Pembrokeshire. Here, this is the college in question, Trinity Saint David. I know that is so very much cheaper to fly into London. Granted I have no idea who much it would be to take a train to my destination. Does the train go into town? Do I have to go by train then get a bus? I sort of wish our center would have a few more travel contacts.

I know I don’t want to incur the expense of renting a car. Not only is that expensive, the gas is outrageous and they drive on the wrong opposite side of the road. I’m frightened of messing that up even though I’m a good driver. Furthermore, it’s my understanding, it’s not all that easy to get from Point A to point B by car anyhow.

I google- earthed Carmarthen and it looks neat. I need to find out where the other branch campus is. It could be another jumping off point. I would like to study the castle and most especially the Standing Stones. There are a few in Pembrokeshire but many are up north and on Angelsey. I have no idea how hard it is to get to these places. Once I’m there, can I even get to the stones without a car. Hell, can I just take a local tour? It’s not like I need to play junior archeologist here. I can do some of the research without being on the stones.

I figure if I get the grant, I’ll talk to a travel agent but insider info would be delightful. The way I see it, if I’m getting three grand to do this, I can maybe stay two weeks and put some of my own money to this (and not go to that other conference). I could stay a week to ten days in Wales then a few days in London and harass people I know there. Damn it someone is going on the Jack the Ripper ghost walk with me.


Had a dream this morning about being in a burning house but it wasn't smoking, just glowing from the heat. No one was getting out and only half hearted attempts to save things were made. I remember putting a cermaic pot on a heating vent to watch it get cherry red from the fire. Why we weren't concerned we were in a burning building? who knows. it was much more complicated than that but that's all I remember.




I'm still in the library parking lot. These are next door to the chiropractor's place. I love love the green house. This picture could be better

Comments

[seatbeltdrivein.livejournal.com]

JACK THE RIPPER GHOST TOUR?? Okay, let me just drop dead from envy now.

I have absolutely no knowledge of any that stuff, but good luck! I'm sure bob_fish will be along eventually and give good tips :D

Ooh, that green house is lovely. I would totally live there.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

here’s the tour (http://www.haunted-london.com/jack-the-ripper-ghosts.html)

I'm sure she will

even though it's right across from my scuzzy laundromat I'd still live there

[seatbeltdrivein.livejournal.com]

That tour looks AMAZING, especially the bits at the haunted pubs. OMG I WOULD GO OVERSEAS JUST FOR THAT. *____*

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, and I just looked at the tour - the pub it starts from is an excellent pub, besides the Ripper connection. Whitechapel is way fancier these days.

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

I've been along and given tips. I think it is me who would end up on the Jack the Ripper ghost tour. I live in East London just north of his old haunts. It's a very trendy area these days and also has amazing South Asian restaurants.

You too can enjoy these wonders if you come to London! :D

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

I'm looking into it. i am i am

[seatbeltdrivein.livejournal.com]

I knew you'd be around eventually. If you and COM do this tour together, I demand pictures!

Dude, if I had the money, I would be in London FOREVER. *___*

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure the trains in the British Isles go from London to everywhere, Pembrokeshire included, and a two-week BritRail pass is reasonable if not exactly cheap (you might check the current prices online). Between the trains and the buses, we managed to get everywhere we wanted to go without renting a car. The only exception was Dartmoor--I wanted to see the standing stones there, but there were no buses out there till June (we went in May). You also have the wonderful Tourist Information offices in every town of any size--they can tell you anything you need to know and book you a room at a local B&B to the bargain, if you want to stay awhile. The U.K. is a very tourist-friendly place (and the gift shops at every museum, abbey, castle, aquarium and ruin have very nice stuff--leave yourself room in your budget to grab some souvenirs. And tea. We had some of the nicest tea and scones in "The Buttery" which was a restaurant scooped out of the old pile of Tewkesbury Abbey.)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

this is exactly what I suspected. I'm glad to have it confirmed. thanks

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Brit here popping in to say yay that you liked the tea and scones. Tea and cake is a thing we do well.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

ELD, silvrethorn and I went to Mt. Dora in Florida to a tea house that made a reasonable attempt at authentic high tea. It's something we're all fond of

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Will be quietly jealous and saving $$$ for you to get me souvenirs.

And your dream. *blink*

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

hahah this is the only way I'm getting across the pond, research grant

it was so odd

[goodbyemagpie.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend staying in a YHA youth hostel. They're dotted about and a room costs around £18 a night(a hotel is £40+) and there are at least 3 I know of in London.

I've heard that the coach service from Wales to London is reasonably priced, certainly much cheaper than a train, though I think it takes around 5 hours. I'll bother one of my Welsh friends when they're online. They travel to London pretty often for cons etc so I imagine they'll have some advice :3

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh thank you very much for the suggestions. Any help at all is much appreciated. I'm going to have to look into how to wash my clothes while there so I'm not trying to wrestle two big suitcases or something

[hierath.livejournal.com]

Public transport in Rural Wales is pretty dire. I'd really recommend renting a car. There is no station in St Davids, you would have to go to Fishguard and get a bus. There appears, on a weekday at least, to be only one train per day from Heathrow, which takes over 5 hours and two changes. It might be easier to fly into a regional airport, even if it costs a little more.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

hmmm I'll have to look that up. Really? the college has no station? that sounds well bad for business really

[0-mother-0.livejournal.com]

Those houses are awesome (but can you imagine the homeowner's response when they put up that sign!)

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh i know. This whole area of Jackson is part residential, part business. it gets worse up the block

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

www.thetrainline.com should give you an idea of rail options.

You won't have any problems getting London-Cardiff, but it might be tricky from that point on. The myth of fabulous British public transport is very much just that, the trains are over priced and the buses while cheaper take ages as the roads are bad.

ETA: Oh and depending where exactly you're going in Wales it might be easier to get a train to another English city near the border and travel form there rather than Cardiff.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thank you, this is so helpful

OH I've heard getting around Wales is a freaking nightmare. My coworker was there last year and said what you just did in your ETA, it was easier to return to England and then go back to Wales than it was to cut across Wales. Special.

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

Oh, man, yet ANOTHER reason I want to go to London!!! I should have bought the haunted Phoenix book I saw last night (again to Borders), but I already had an armful.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

Isn't it cool? Did you see the link I gave Seatbeltdrivein in the comments?


oooo you need that book, you can always go back...

[bob_fish.livejournal.com]

Okay, my comment got so long I sent you an email! And then after sending it I found out from thetrainline.com that you might not have to change at Newport to get a train from London to Carmarthen - there are direct trains, though fewer of them, so you could plan to get one of those.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thank you very much for the help