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Post by lola on Apr 27, 2013 13:55:36 GMT
We hop on London buses whenever possible, dash upstairs, and hope there's a seat in front. Buses are frequent, stops have signs telling you when next one is due, and I find them a lot more fun than the Underground. It's like a cheap tour bus.
I avoid the ones that go down Oxford Street, though, where you can walk more quickly than traffic takes you, or if trying to cover a lot of ground in a hurry.
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Post by htmb on Apr 27, 2013 13:57:42 GMT
Great advice, Lola. Thanks very much. I'm making notes!
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Post by htmb on Apr 27, 2013 14:00:41 GMT
The last time I visited London smoking was allowed on the upper bus deck so I rarely sat up top.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2013 16:16:15 GMT
Hope you have a great time in London, htmb. I worked in London for some years, near the West End.
Will you be taking in any shows at all? That is probably where I would head. I imagine you must have already seen the usual touristy areas in London.
London is a great city, I have some very fond memories of it.
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Post by htmb on Apr 27, 2013 16:38:09 GMT
Deyana, I really haven't seen much of the touristy areas. It's also been thirty years since I was there. I do remember a little about the British Museum. A friend was on sabatical there and gave us a personal tour. I also remember attending two plays; each was headlined by a different women from the British television show "Good Neighbors." The plays were great fun.
I remember landing at Gatwick and taking the train to London. I suppose we must have taken a cab to our lodgings which were out Bayswater Road. By then it was early afternoon and my husband went to take a long nap while I went out, got on the Tube, and exited at Hyde Park where I got on a bus for a two hour tour. However, I don't remember seeing much after all these years, so it will be just like new.
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Post by mossie on Apr 27, 2013 20:03:25 GMT
Buses are no smoking now, as is any enclosed space. They can be slower than the Tube but the view is better
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Post by bjd on Apr 28, 2013 5:55:22 GMT
I agree that sitting up top in a bus is the best way to see the city when you have a long distance to cover. The annoyance of smokers has been replaced by the annoyance of people talking on cell phones though! I took a bus from Acton to the British Museum and there was a woman talking loudly on her phone for over half the way.
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Post by mossie on Apr 28, 2013 8:08:47 GMT
They can go all the way ;D At least you can hear the most interesting things, and it really winds them up if they know you are listening. Joining in can be even more fun.
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Post by patricklondon on Apr 28, 2013 8:37:25 GMT
htmb, most bus stops will have plenty of information about where the buses from there go, and in the city centre, any bus shelter will have a map of all the bus stops in the area and the destinations served. You can get a quick overview of the bus routes in central London at www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/15101.aspxBut one of the charms of the system in my childhood was that a dull wet day in the school holidays could always be filled by just getting on a bus to the other end of the route and back again - not quite so interesting now that so many routes have been shortened and don't run from one outer suburb to another on the completely unknown side of the city, but still of interest to the visitor, I'd imagine, as long as they've plenty of time on their hands.
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Post by htmb on Apr 28, 2013 11:49:57 GMT
At this point, sitting on a bus and experiencing wherever it goes sounds like heaven, Patrick. Thanks!
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Post by tod2 on Apr 28, 2013 13:21:30 GMT
I took a bus from Acton to the British Museum and there was a woman talking loudly on her phone for over half the way. We like to do the 'jump on any bus' at least once when in London. Last time we went I heard loud furious shouting and found it was coming from a woman walking on the sidewalk. The bus pulled ahead only to be caught up once more by this infuriating cell -phone explosion. Again and again we pulled ahead and were caught. Was I glad when the bus turned into another road!
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2013 17:25:38 GMT
The museums in London are just the best. And the great thing is the major ones are situated quite close to each other. No need to hop from one bus or tube to another.
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Post by htmb on May 3, 2013 17:31:12 GMT
That's good to know, Deyana. I hope to visit several London museums. It's just going to be a matter of time, plus I get a little foggy-headed and numb after spending too much time inside. It's nice they are so close together.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2013 17:38:35 GMT
My single spring day in London is coming up in just over a week.
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Post by htmb on May 3, 2013 17:56:30 GMT
Here's hoping it will be a very good - though short - trip for you and that you will take lots of photographs for us. ;D
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Post by htmb on May 3, 2013 18:39:22 GMT
I tend to be very frugal when it comes to spending money, so I find myself struggling in my head with a couple of technology issues. One of my concerns is getting to England and either having my camera not work or get lost/stolen, so I've been thinking through various possibilities. Do I just risk it, but take my little pocket camera as a back up (no zoon and not very high quality pics), or plan to purchase a new camera while on vacation if something happened (that would take time and would cost me a whole lot more than if I purchased a camera in the US). OR....do I buy another camera here and take my "old" one as a backup? Purchasing my current camera was a real stretch for me. I really like it very much. It's compact and takes pretty good pictures. A newer one would not be as compact. BUT.....I'd really like (not need, mind you) the get the next step up in cameras along with a view finder. And then, there's my old smart phone......I will spare you the eleborate set of issues surrounding that problem.
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Post by mossie on May 3, 2013 18:56:48 GMT
I'll give you the lecture I used to give people who had the misfortune to work under me ;D There are normally at least 3 solutions to any problem, for gawds sake pick the one you think best and just DO IT
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Post by htmb on May 3, 2013 19:06:08 GMT
Oh, I will Mossie. That's the way I do most things. I mull over my options (doing that now), then make a fairly quick decision. The good thing about me is that, once I've made a decision, I almost never second-guess myself.
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Post by lugg on May 3, 2013 19:39:19 GMT
Htmb - you take your camera down sink holes, on kayaks and photo alligators from close quarters . To my mind London is much less risky ? ;D
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Post by htmb on May 3, 2013 21:23:31 GMT
All very true, Lugg, though I have had some problems since taking pictures in the high wind and blowing sand on Cumberland Island. I think I'm trying to rationalize making a new purchase before I leave, plus I will be going on to visit other places after London and it's imperative I have a working camera. I'll probably go look at a few and then make a decision.
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Post by htmb on May 3, 2013 21:39:25 GMT
Is it a fact that photos are not allowed in the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery? I'm wondering if this is true regarding the British Museum and Tate Modern.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2013 21:42:45 GMT
I took pictures in most of the Tate Modern (you can find my photo report to prove it in the Maritime Museum), but there were some areas where it was forbidden.
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Post by bjd on May 4, 2013 6:35:19 GMT
I think that whether or not photographs are allowed in museums is a false problem. If you see something you really like, there is probably a postcard for sale that looks better than anything you can do with your camera, given lighting conditions, crowds, etc.
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Post by mossie on May 4, 2013 7:13:06 GMT
Yes, a postcard can be a wonderful record, BUT it is not my picture.
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Post by patricklondon on May 4, 2013 7:39:14 GMT
I'm guessing that in a modern art museum there may be issues about the artist's copyright, on top of the museum's own concerns (flashlight, obstructing other people's view - not to mention possibly protecting their own sales of books and cards). You never know until you try.
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Post by htmb on May 4, 2013 13:51:16 GMT
All true. It seems the British Museum allows photographs. Kerouac, I do remember your photos from the Tate Modern. Special exhibits in most places do not allow photos, which I understand. Often, it's not the photo of the art piece that's interesting, but rather the happenings around the piece.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2013 20:57:28 GMT
Why don't "they" understand that?
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Post by htmb on May 5, 2013 21:08:24 GMT
I received my Oyster card in the mail yesterday, all loaded with a little cash and ready to be used for transportation in London.
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Post by lugg on May 6, 2013 6:34:27 GMT
Woo hoo - it is getting close now. The Oyster card really is the easiest thing to use. When I first bought mine I was slightly worried about swiping it at the correct place, when I was making multiple changes( mostly because I did not want to pay more than I needed.) Actually it is almost impossible to make a mistake.
I hope you don't mind me piggy backing on this post Htmb but I wondered if anyone has any dining recommendations for Fulham / Putney area for when we go end of May?
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Post by htmb on May 12, 2013 14:55:27 GMT
I have used a metro app, as well as Google maps, for Paris Metro/Bus/RER transportation, and I've just downloaded a version for my new phone. I would be interestied in hearing names of favorite London transportation apps if anyone cares to share.
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