From: dmaclaug@agsm.ucla.edu (saki)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Visit to England
Date: 24 Jul 92 19:58:10 GMT
Organization: UCLA, Anderson Graduate School Of Management

In article <1992Jul20.210003.29764@ethome.et.iupui.edu> damon@tnt.cadcam.iupui.edu writes:
>   If you plan to travel in England (like going to Liverpool) you
>should call BritRail Travel at 212-575-2667, it was hard to get
>through I had to call almost a dozen times.  You can purchase
>Rail Passes that allow you unlimited travel over all of England
>and these passes can only be purchased in the US you can't buy
>them once you get there. 

Similar passes (Eurail) are available for travel by train in Europe.
And if you're going to be in London for any length of time, you can
buy passes for the Underground, which save considerable money. Driving
in England and Scotland is fun too, but trains are so efficient (compared
to deplorable US standards) and the vistas so lovely that you might as
well enjoy the whole experience. Do watch out for inclement weather
though. Bad rains or snowstorms can change schedules and arrival times.
My most recent journey to Liverpool almost became extended by several
days because of an unexpected heavy snowstorm, which rendered Britrail
lines impassable for almost a day. The prospect of being stranded in
Liverpool was, however, not all that unpleasant for me. :-)

>     Now for some personal notes on my trip not in any order or
>reason.  London is EXPENSIVE!  Hotel or B&B are twice the cost in
>London for half the room.  A $100 a night room in Liverpool is
>very nice, no swimming pool or stuff, but you get a big room and
>great breakfast.  In London a $100 at night room is small and
>cheap and breakfast in a croissant and coffee.

Forget hotels in London. Stick with bed-and-breakfasts. There's a
nice group of such establishments in Vicarage Gate, West Kensington
(one called The Abbey House!) which, at least in late 1990, were
still only $55-$60 for two, including a full English breakfast (which
is about twice as much breakfast as the normal American usually eats.)
There are also some nice places near Russell Square. You may have to
share a bath down the hall, but who cares? You're still young. :-)

>  Saki recommended
>the Solna Hotel at Sefton Park in Liverpool,  I stayed at The
>Alicia Hotel owned by the same people and $20 dollars cheaper per
>night.  It is only a block or two from the Solna.  Both are
>converted old houses and provide good breakfasts and have baths
>in the rooms. 

Liddypool has its bargains. What I liked about the Solna is that
they have a pub right in the establishment (a nice touch for the
travel-weary soul) and a cat...I tend to look highly upon B&Bs with
cats. Also, while waiting one morning for the rail lines to be cleared
(and not entirely sure they would be), the Solna people brought out
a tea tray with a cheery pot of Assam, which I enjoyed by the fireplace.
There are, of course, lots of other B&Bs in Liverpool, some much closer
in to town. The Merseyside Tourism Office will send you a list if you
ask.

I also enjoyed staying at Sefton Park because a) it's where Alfred
Lennon is said to have met Julia Stanley; b) John played there as
a child, so legend tells us; and c) it's where Dezo Hoffman shot
his famous "jump" portraits of the Boys, which later graced the
"Twist and Shout" EP cover. And it's a nice place for a walk. :-)

--
"Modern music is, however, the groups' delight, and as if to prove the
point, John and Paul have written over 50 tunes, ballads & faster
numbers, during the last three years!"_________________________________
                                        saki (dmaclaug@agsm.ucla.edu)