coach ride

[sad old git]

Hi.Once a year my wife and I drive down to Mildenhall from "oop north"to visit our relatives there,however because of the cost of fuel and some of the crazy drivers who think they own the motorways we decided to go on a coach, my problem is I haven't done this before and don't know what to expect meaning could it be a quiet journey or a riotou

[ELVIS68]

If you get on the coach and the guide is a camp fella named Brendan then god help you!

Sit next to each other and enjoy the trip and sights along the way

[Buenchico]

I've only used National Express (which is the only coach operator to serve Mildenhall) on a small number of occasions but I've normally found travelling with them a fairly relaxing experience. The only time that things were a little 'lively' was when we were 'entertained' by a drunken Irishman who claimed that he was Barry McGuigan's brother and was willing to fight anyone who would take him on. None of us believed his 'claim to fame' (and nobody was really too bothered about the guy anyway) but the next time I saw Barry McGuigan fight on the telly, there was a very familiar guy in his corner! ;-)

Depending upon exactly where you're starting from (and possibly the time of day when you'll be travelling) you'll have to travel via either Cambridge or Norwich, perhaps with one or more changes prior to that. Hanging around waiting for the next coach can be 'a bit of a bind' especially if you're left at an interchange point with very limited (or non-existent) refreshment facilities. (Drummer Street bus station in Cambridge is extremely basic but the new Norwich bus station is a bit better).

It might be worth looking into getting cheap 'Advance' rail tickets to Newmarket or Bury St Edmunds, and then taking local bus services from there.

BTW: I live in Suffolk and I sincerely hope that you don't think that Mildenhall (which, in my opinion, 'is a bit of a dump', is representative of out beautiful county!)

Chris

[ELVIS68]

Chico, you anywhere near Halesworth, spent many summer holidays there years ago, last went there about 7 years ago to visit my grandad, sadly no longer with us

[Buenchico]

I know Halesworh quite well, Elvis (although I'm in the Ipswich/Stowmarket area).

It's quite a pleasant little town (although, equally, 'nothing special'). The main thing to remember when visiting Halesworth is that unlike almost everywhere else in the country (where most local shops close at 5.30pm) everything there closes at 5pm!

[ELVIS68]

lol last time I went there they had a new shopping centre (Rainbow)if I remember rightly, but the thing I rememeber most is people always nodded and smiled as if to say "you`re not a local but welcome"

[sad old git]

Thank you both for your input. It seems that National Express will deliver us to Milton Keynes where my relatives will pick us up. Hope we don't run into Brendan or any drunken fighters as I am too old to do much to knock them down......Chico/Chris? Mildenhall is our anchor point and each time we come here my rels take us on tours of Suffolk and I agree with you it is a beautiful county and we enjoy our stay here

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply.

Just a small point:
I suggest that you ensure that your relatives know that National Express coach services don't use the main bus station in the centre of Milton Keynes. They call at Milton Keynes Coachway, which is a Park & Ride site, right on the very edge of Milton Keynes. If they need a map, or directions, please see here:
http://www.nationalex.../pdf/MiltonKeynes.pdf

Chris

[sad old git]

Chris. I think they already know this..Much appreciated anyway. S.O.G