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[albitz]

Until yesterday I had never driven right through the centre of London. I had always avoided it and used the M25 or the North circular.
I have always wanted to try it just once to see what it would be like. I had to take my duaghter from her (now former) home in Shoreditch to Heathrow T4 yesterday so when google maps routefinder came up with a route which went right through the centre I was quite pleased. It said 20 miles, approx 45 mins.
I wanted to leave at 4.15pm to allow plenty of time to arrive for 6pm check in, and hopefully relax and have a cuppa etc.
Ended up leaving at 5.10pm .........thought it wouldnt be too bad  as it was early Sunday evening. well - the journey, along the Strand, past Trafalgar square, along Knightsbridge etc to the M4 and then the airport took almost 2 hours.It was rather pandemonium on the roads. Stress levels through the roof - missing a plane to Shanghai, which connects with another to Australia, doesnt bear thinking about. As it turned out there wasnt a problem with catching the flight, so all was well that ended well, but I was sweating spinal fluid for quite a while. I slept well last night.
So, the minor ambition was fullfilled - and I have no desire whatsoever to repeat the experience.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

    London driving never changes, and as much as I love driving through the City, which I have done over the last 40 years, it can be a liitle bit of a pain!  As you found out Albs!

[Richie London]

have you paid your congestion charge then for the privelige

[Webby the Bear]

i hate london!

[albitz]

have you paid your congestion charge then for the privelige

It doesnt apply on Sundays does it ??

[Lizzie_Zoom]

have you paid your congestion charge then for the privelige

It doesnt apply on Sundays does it ??

No, nor Saturdays Albs   Relax!

[albitz]

That would have put the tin hat on the whole experience.

[amba]

Try the Old Kent Road on a Friday afternoon leaving around 4.00p and heading towards Kent.

Little things could compare with the stess levels ,and the knowledge you have had to pay for the pleasure aswell.

[Omegatoy]

Yeuck!!!! was born there and wouldnt go in unless i was being paid for it very very well, hateful place now

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Try the Old Kent Road on a Friday afternoon leaving around 4.00p and heading towards Kent.

Little things could compare with the stess levels ,and the knowledge you have had to pay for the pleasure aswell.

Oh yes, I did that daily for a few years, and more than once took me 2 hours just to get to Lewisham!  Even 1530 was too late for leaving to avaoid it!

On a Sunday or bank holiday I could do the jouney in under an hour from / to Asford!

[Webby the Bear]

and if you take a wrong turn youll accidentally drive into north london where youll inevitably be stabbed

[Lizzie_Zoom]

and if you take a wrong turn youll accidentally drive into north london where youll inevitably be stabbed

Oh yes the North London tribes are fierce and very war like, to be avoided at all costs as the Romans found out!   Queen Bodecia is still doing the rounds I hear!

 

[Richie London]

have you paid your congestion charge then for the privelige

It doesnt apply on Sundays does it ??

no mate, get you thinking did it 

[Webby the Bear]

hahahaha well i reckon if north london was bombed the world wud be a bit better it wud get rid of all arsenal fans for a start .............

[Banjax]

I used to work in the centre of Perth, somedays at the height of the rush hour there were as many as 3 cars in front of you at the lights on edinburgh road

mad