Our tickets came today :) Yes Jo I love the wallet with the moving ferry :lol:

That last article is great, too, Stephen. THANKS :D :D The ship canal shows up beautifully on Google Earth :D :D.....including a ship in the lock leading to the Mersey. When I have some time, want to print out the articles and follow along on Google Earth :D

Got my ticket today :D

Great news Alan :)

:D :D :D :lol: :lol: :lol: 8) 8)

Have just booked our tickets. Hopefully, we will get them in the mail. The system was having difficulty getting Canada into the right place. Have sent an e-mail to try to sort this out. Looking forward to this chance to meet so many of our UK friends, albeit for only a few hours. At least the ferry has a bar service so we can chat over a pint. Have booked our hotel in Manchester and will likely fly to Heathrow on the Monday morning for a flight home.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Oh, CLIFF.....this is just TOO FANTASTIC Where are you staying in London :?:

Great Cliff, so now are 10 :D If you want a lift to Manchester Airport on the Monday will be able to assist, it is a Bank Holiday that day so no work :lol: It isn't too far from here and from Salford will not take long at all to get to the Airport

OK - as it stands right now: May 15 - fly from Victoria/Vancouver to Heathrow, arrive May 16 Booked at Royal Court Apartments, Paddington area May 16-21 May 21 - London to Tenbury Wells, Herefordshire (visit cousin) - either coaach to Hereford or Train to Ludlow May 24 - Train or coach to Salford (near Manchester) - Camponile Hotel May 25 - Manchester Ship Canal cruise then back to Salford May 26 - fly from Manchester to Heathrow to Victoria Have just about worn the characters off the keyboard researching options on Expedia, Travelocity, TripAdvisor, etc. A bit crosseyed from reading so many hotel websites and a bit groggy from trying to compare travel options in England. Should now be able to sit back and wait for the time to depart. By the way, should this go under cruises or non-cruises??

:D :D :D Probably should ALL go under this Events :D :D OK....my plan is....so far :roll: May 21.....return on QE2 :cry: THEN....depending on which London airport....Gatwick or Heathrow...Cunard has me booked from :?: :?: :?: coach to there...so I can drop off bulk of luggage :D Then.....two nights in London....... :D one very FULL day, and north to Jo and Albert's..probably by train...on the 23rd, who have kindly offered me a bed :D :D :love: :love: Back to whatever airport to pick up my luggage on the 26th or maybe the night of the 25th :?: :?: :?: Still looking for a convenient and inexpensive London hotel where I can smoke in my room :roll: Think I will give this quandry to my TA :wink: Jo and Albert have suggested the Euston area....but :?: :?: want to do the touristy things.......British Museum a MUST....on the morning of the 22nd.....and then Buckingham Palace...etc in the afternoon....and the MOUSETRAP in the evening :D :D Then train to Liverpool area the next day

Crazy as it sounds this is a really good site for UK rail rail timetables (and European too) http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml Also for trains to Liverpool or Manchester http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/default.aspx or http://www.thetrainline.co.uk/ or for coaches http://www.nationalexpress.com/ If we can do anything to help re bookings/timetables etc please send PM

:D :D :D Will have to check out these sites :D So far, must admit, that the UK rail schedules have defeated me...... :oops: :D :D YES, I may ask for :help: OR, better yet.....just give the whole thing to my TA :D He was MOST grateful that I gave him my Cunard booking..... could have SO easily just done it myself.......now time for him to do some work :wink:

Great news Cliff :) I am sure this is going to be a great trip.

Looking forward to a day off amongst a busy time marking. Our contracts were waiting for us to be signed when we returned & I think we owe ourselves one day off!!!!!! Looking forward to meeting you all, & I am sure we could give someone/2 people a lift back to Manchester Airport if necessary( on Sunday 25th) I note the return bus will take us to Salford Quays or Piccadilly Station. You will be able to get trains to London from there/ Man Airport. It is a major train station.