After a break of several years, I've decided to go to this year's SALUTE wargame show.
The venue – London's ExCel Centre – is across the River Thames from where I live, and is close enough for me to be able to see the building from the driveway of my house. I only wish that getting there was a bit easier.
I have several possible routes that I can take. The cheapest (i.e. the one that doesn't cost me anything thanks to my Freedom Pass) is to take a bus to Woolwich Arsenal Station and to use the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) to take me to the nearest station to ExCel, which would normally be Custom House but this year is Prince Regent. (Custom House is closed for redevelopment as it is going to be an interchange station with the new Crossrail/Elizabeth Line.)
An alternative would be to take two buses to North Greenwich (or possibly drive there and pay to park at the station), where I could use the Emirates Air Line cable car to take me across to the north side of the river. I could also go to North Greenwich and catch the Jubilee Line tube northwards to Canning Town, and then transfer onto the DLR.
The one option I am not giving serious consideration to is driving, even though it should be quite easy to do so. Firstly the cost of parking at ExCel is quite exorbitant considering the short distance I am going to have to drive. Secondly it involves driving through the notorious Blackwall Tunnel to get to and from ExCel. (The tunnel is prone to all sorts of hold-ups during peak periods ... and out of peak periods as well!) Finally it will be the day before the London marathon, and all sorts of road diversions are likely to be in place in that area whilst they set up the route.
Regardless of how I get there, I am going ... and I hope to see some of my regular blog readers there!
The venue – London's ExCel Centre – is across the River Thames from where I live, and is close enough for me to be able to see the building from the driveway of my house. I only wish that getting there was a bit easier.
I have several possible routes that I can take. The cheapest (i.e. the one that doesn't cost me anything thanks to my Freedom Pass) is to take a bus to Woolwich Arsenal Station and to use the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) to take me to the nearest station to ExCel, which would normally be Custom House but this year is Prince Regent. (Custom House is closed for redevelopment as it is going to be an interchange station with the new Crossrail/Elizabeth Line.)
An alternative would be to take two buses to North Greenwich (or possibly drive there and pay to park at the station), where I could use the Emirates Air Line cable car to take me across to the north side of the river. I could also go to North Greenwich and catch the Jubilee Line tube northwards to Canning Town, and then transfer onto the DLR.
The one option I am not giving serious consideration to is driving, even though it should be quite easy to do so. Firstly the cost of parking at ExCel is quite exorbitant considering the short distance I am going to have to drive. Secondly it involves driving through the notorious Blackwall Tunnel to get to and from ExCel. (The tunnel is prone to all sorts of hold-ups during peak periods ... and out of peak periods as well!) Finally it will be the day before the London marathon, and all sorts of road diversions are likely to be in place in that area whilst they set up the route.
Regardless of how I get there, I am going ... and I hope to see some of my regular blog readers there!
It sounds like what you need is a rocket pack. Whichever route you choose I'm sure it will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteRoss Mac,
DeleteIt will be good to get there and have a look around ... and to meet up and chat with old friends.
The only downside is the fact that the same complex is being used to had out numbers etc., to all the 20,000 plus participants in the London Marathon. This can lead to overcrowding on the transport system and in and around the venue.
All the best,
Bob
why not a kayak?
ReplyDeleteDick Bryant
Dick Bryant,
DeleteIt's a possibility ... if my neighbour will lend me his, help me get it to the riverside, and I can find somewhere secure to leave it whilst I'm at SALUTE.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteThe Bus and Light Rail sounds a good option / choice. Sounds as though London has similar traffic problems to our Sydney...forty years ago I'd have no qualms about driving right into the heart of Sydney CBD...to-day I'd choose the Train to travel the 33 Miles. Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson,
DeleteLondon is growing faster that it's transport system can cope with ... and the roads can be a nightmare. Some years ago a vehicle collision near the Blackwall Tunnel caused near gridlock in the area where I live, and it took me nearly three hours to drive seven miles to get home after work.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, I understand from discussion on TMP that Prince Regent will actually be nearer to the Salute venue within ExCel than Custom House was!
ReplyDeleteI'll be teaching;not sure I'd be bothered to go anyway...
See what you can find out about the rules for the Perry travel wargame.
Have a good day,
Arthur
Arthur Harman,
DeleteI would probably have used Prince Regent anyway ... but now I'll have to share it with all those fit-looking runners!
One of the reasons I am going to SALUTE is to have a look at the Perry game just in case it is worth buying. I'll report back if I think it is worth doing so.
All the best,
Bob
Salute and Excel, it just gives me a headache just thinking about it. I know lots of people and a couple of traders who are not going.
ReplyDeleteSimon Jones,
DeleteAlthough it is close, I hate going there. I think that it is an expensive venue to use, and I can understand why traders are reluctant to go there.
All the best,
Bob
How could something so close be so far?
ReplyDeleteJonathan Freitag,
DeleteThe problem with transport in London is that the main routes radiate out from the centre, thus making journeys that don't go into and out of the middle difficult.
Crossing the River Thames is also a major headache to the eastern side of London. There are only three road crossings between Tower Bridge and the estuary; the Rotherhithe and Blackwall Tunnels and the Dartford a Crossing. There is also the very infrequent and often erratic Woolwich Ferry service.
All the best,
Bob
Great news, Bob, and if a chap unexpectedly comes up to you at the show, shakes you by the hand and simply says "Terrific blog." then that'll be me!! :-)
ReplyDeleteBlaxxkleric,
DeleteI look forward to meeting you and any other regular blog readers who are at SALUTE.
All the best,
Bob
Same here... If it's any consolation Bob, I managed to get cheap train tickets (I live near Chichester) and they are sending me via Brighton!
DeleteSteve-the-Wargamer,
DeleteThey are obviously send you via the scenic route!
Hope to see you there!
All the best,
Bob
Hope you have a great time there.
ReplyDeleteTradgardmastare,
DeleteCheers! I hope that I enjoy the show ... just as long as it isn't too crowded getting there.
All the best,
Bob
I think I have an easier time in total getting to the dozen or so wargames shows I will do in a year than you will have getting to just this one.
ReplyDeleteThe one exception would be Crisis in Antwerp which is such a good show I would hate to miss it. My chum and I are taking our wives again this year, maybe a few more of the gentler sex will come this year.
Jim Duncan,
DeleteIt's one of the 'joys' of living in the metropolis! I'm told that travel in my part of London will be easier once the a Elizabeth Line is open ... but I suspect that any benefit will be very short-lived.
I really MUST go to CRISIS one day. I've heard such great things about the show, and Antwerp should be relatively easy to reach from South East London.
All the best,
Bob
I'll be there to pick up my marathon stuff. Not sure I'll actually go into Salute, though. Last time I went they charged me £18 to park!
ReplyDeleteIan Drury,
DeleteHopefully we'll have a chance to meet up outside ... and if you want anything from inside, I can get it for you and hand it over.
The cost of parking at ExCel is ridiculously high ... but less than it costs to park for a show at the O2.
All the best,
Bob
Look forward to seeing your report and (hopefully) lots of pictures. I've never been to Salute and I'm away that weekend so it looks like i won't be going this year either! I don't think anyone who lives in London would ever seriously consider driving to this event, I certainly wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteBrian Carrick,
DeleteI've missed SALUTE for several years because I have either been away or I didn't fancy making the journey on public transport. I'm biting the bullet this year and NOT driving, although if the Blackwall Tunnel is reasonably clear, it would probably be the quickest way to get there.
One problem with living on top of one of the highest points in London is the poor access to public transport. We have one bus route that connects us to the rest of the system, and if that isn't running for any reasons - as happened last week for three days - you are reliant on having to walk or taking a taxis/minicab. Until 2000 we had no Underground station in our borough (we now have North Greenwich) and things got better when the DLR line to Woolwich was finished. The Elizabeth Line will improve matters somewhat ... but we will have to wait until 2019 for that.
All the best,
Bob