V-Flyer

Following on from the previous two years of fun in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival, we're planning a return trip this year. Our illustrious leader Pete will be up there producing some shows, and acting as general guide on what to see and more importantly what NOT to see.

Fringe Official Site:
http://www.edfringe.com/

The programme of events will be launched soon; so more to come on that. I'm perosnally hoping that some of the following are performing - Jimmy Carr, Alan Carr, Pam Ann etc.

Anyway - weekend of Friday 15th - Sunday 17th August this year, as the following weekend is Bank Holiday and prices rocket for flights and hotels in general.

For hotels, I've managed to secure a block of rooms at the BalmoralHotel at 140/nt compared to the normal rate of 380/nt. And another block at the Hilton Grosvenorfor 99-109/nt. Sure Pete will tell you that these are damn good rates for Fringe time!

Attendees so far:
RichardMannion & HighFlyer (Balmoral)
Wolves27 and Fozzyo (Balmoral)
Decker & Mrs Decker (Balmoral)
buns4vs and Mrs Buns (Balmoral)
Pete (Own accomodation!)
Nottingham Nick & Sue (Balmoral)
Scorpio (Balmoral)
Howard Long (Balmoral)
mediamonkey (Balmoral)
JAT74L

If you'd like to join us then please do. If you'd like a hotel room from the blocks then let me know, and I will assist.

Thanks,Richard

EDIT: Would appear the Balmoral is the popular choice, if anyone else wants to join in then let me know. Think I may release the block at the Hilton soon. Now need to look at flights.

Sadly not me. Working and not much time off left.

you've got an amazing deal on room rates there. I'll be in town touting my performing wares as usual so will be great to catch up for drinks if my throat isn't too bad

OMG! Def will come on this one and will put my request dates in as soon as i get back to work tomorow so put me down but unsure where to stay?Wherever the majority is staying i shall just follow!

Very random question because I am keen to get involved with events like this...
Does anyone else have disparaging other halves who roll their eyes when you mention a certain forum?

Er, yes. But they get used to it after a while [;)]

Oh yes, I think we have all been there. I used a mixture of bribery, lies and sulking until t'other half agreed to attend the PCP. We both had a really good time and everyone was really nice (even Richard!)

I am gutted we won't be able to come to EDI, we have a wedding on the Saturday, some good friends of ours that we are already committed too. Hopefully there will be another social soon we can attend though.

Neil

Originally posted by Neil
Oh yes, I think we have all been there. I used a mixture of bribery, lies and sulking until t'other half agreed to attend the PCP. We both had a really good time and everyone was really nice (even Richard!)

Neil

Note to self and Richard - Must try harder next time [:D]

I have 4 rooms left in the block at the popular Balmoral, anyone else planning on attending?

Originally posted by RichardMannion
I have 4 rooms left in the block at the popular Balmoral, anyone else planning on attending?

Hi Richard.

Put me down for a room at the Bal please! Just myself, unless by some queer twist of fate I get lucky between now and then [ii]

H

Originally posted by Howard Long

Originally posted by RichardMannion
I have 4 rooms left in the block at the popular Balmoral, anyone else planning on attending?

Hi Richard.

Put me down for a room at the Bal please! Just myself, unless by some queer twist of fate I get lucky between now and then [ii]

H

Done - now 3 rooms left [:)]

Richard, when do you need to know by? I'm in a flat for the whole month in Edinburgh but might come to the Bal for a night of luxury, at that price it's a steal!

Hi MM,

I can hold one of them for you, as long as you let me know a week in advance if you no longer need it. [:)]

Can you PM your real name so I can get it put in your name [:0]

Thanks,
Richard

About what time are people arriving and leaving EDI on the 15th and 17th? Just looking at booking flights before stuff sells out.

Cheers!

Dean

We are letting the train take the strain from Newark [;)]

We can't book until three months out, but are hoping to get the 1048 to arrive 1424 on the Friday and will get the 5pm back on Sunday.

Nick

I hope to join you guys again this year.

John

Need to start looking at flights too, but its likely we'll arrive mid-afternoon on Friday and depart around 4pm Sunday.

Looking at BA and BD there are fares from £88 from LHR, but to get reasonable flight times pushes the cost up to about £115 plus.

Thanks,
Sarah

When we looked at flights, we were getting some reasonable prices £19 or £29 + tax on BMIBaby IIRC.

However, when we factored in the huge taxes, getting to and parking at the airport, plus the luggage hassles, we found that we could book First Class on the train for less money. We will have to buy two advance singles, that are only valid on the train specified, but we can park for nothing near the station, [;)] and it is only a 4 hour, fairly picturesque journey up to Edinburgh - then the hotel is very near the station. [y]

Nick

Originally posted by JAT74L
I hope to join you guys again this year.

We will look forward to that, John. [y][y]

Nick

I'm looking at flights now. At the initial rates, I might as well look at chartering a jet unless I want to leave LHR at 6:30am and arrive back at 22:30 on Sunday.

Ooooh jet charter....

If flight prices are steep (and that's kind of odd given the number per day), Nick's idea of going by train is very sensible. Advance purchase First Class trains to Edinburgh can come in under £40, and depending on which train you take, that includes food, drink, etc.

Kayak is showing plenty of decent availability around the £100 mark...

First return (4 hours from Wolves, probably as good time wise as flying and Waverley is right by the Balmoral) currently showing at £300 each. I hope I can time it well to get advance specials when they come out.

Still flying from BHX is only about £100, good times too [:)]

Dean, try going via Glasgow. That may help price wise as there are far more seats available especially in first.

John