Connemarathon 2010 - All welcome

[El Gordo]

Our plan is to fly out on the 1200 from LGW to Dublin on the Friday, and to return on the 2040 from Dublin to LGW on the Tuesday. Not booked yet.

M is quite keen to do a spot of shopping/sightseeing in Dublin on the Tuesday so I was going to suggest heading back to Dublin at a reasonable time. It's about 3 hours drive I think, so I guess it might be worth aiming for around a late morning departure from the west. So if anyone wants to fly out from Dublin earlier than the 2040, that should definitely be possible, though we won't be there by midday.

Suzie -- where is your favourite curry place?

[suzieq]

It's actually part of the hotel where I usually stay when in London (not this time as they've raised their prices substantially!) - across from the Gloucester Tube Station. Very, very delicious curry!

Suzie

[suzieq]

Say, just looking at a flight leaving Dublin at 15:50 - do you think that is possible?

Suzie

[El Gordo]

Say, just looking at a flight leaving Dublin at 15:50 - do you think that is possible?

Suzie

Yes, it's possible, and if that's the flight you want to be on, we will make sure you get there. Not that we're trying to get rid of you.... in fact, I'd much prefer to join you for your curry than go shopping. Though perhaps 'the boys' might just find something to do in Dublin while others do the shopping thing.

[Sweder]

Say, just looking at a flight leaving Dublin at 15:50 - do you think that is possible?

Suzie

Yes, it's possible, and if that's the flight you want to be on, we will make sure you get there. Not that we're trying to get rid of you.... in fact, I'd much prefer to join you for your curry than go shopping. Though perhaps 'the boys' might just find something to do in Dublin while others do the shopping thing.

This may come as a shock to some but I intend drinking Guinness in Dublin. Not to the point of collapse you understand, but I feel strongly that when one travels to Mecca it would be churlish not to pray.

So, 12:00 out, 20:40 back for the curry deniers?

[El Gordo]

This may come as a shock to some but I intend drinking Guinness in Dublin. Not to the point of collapse you understand, but I feel strongly that when one travels to Mecca it would be churlish not to pray.

So, 12:00 out, 20:40 back for the curry deniers?

Guinness in Dublin while M goes shopping. Hmm, must admit I hadn't considered that possibility.

Yes re the flight times. I've not yet looked at vehicle hire, but am presuming that Dublin airport is the obvious bet. So we just need to make sure someone is sober enough to get us back there.

[suzieq]

I'm booked to fly out of Heathrow at 11:15 a.m., arriving in Dublin at 12:35. I'll wait for you guys at the airport as you'll be just behind my flight. Flying back at 15:50 p.m. Tempting as it would be to join you for a few more Guinness in Dublin, that would be just too dangerous!

Suzie

[El Gordo]

Sheesh, my first look at vehicle hire is frightening.

In Spain it was around £200. In Ireland, for a similar vehicle the quotes I'm seeing are, gulp, around £700 so far :-(

At this rate, it would be cheaper to hire 2 cars.

Will keep looking.

[Seafront Plodder]

Sheesh, my first look at vehicle hire is frightening.

In Spain it was around £200. In Ireland, for a similar vehicle the quotes I'm seeing are, gulp, around £700 so far :-(

At this rate, it would be cheaper to hire 2 cars.

Will keep looking.

That was my conclusion too EG. Monstrously cheaper and certainly would afford greater flexibility.

[Sweder]

Sweder +1 SP +1 booked 10:40 am out 9th 20:40 pm 13th back
Flights worked out a bit steeper than advertised once all the little 'extras' accrued. Checking 1 bag per couple to avoid liquids debacle at LGW - worth a tenner each way in my book.

Re: cars - let's go with the lowest cost option.
8 people fit comfortably in 2 cars and as SP says gives us flexibility on last day if some wnat to head back to Dublin earlier.

[Seafront Plodder]

Just looked on the Hertz site as an example and we can get 2 Ford Focuses (Foci??) for around £180.

[El Gordo]

Just looked on the Hertz site as an example and we can get 2 Ford Focuses (Foci??) for around £180.

OK. Good point about extra flexibility too.

And we can have a race!

[Seafront Plodder]

Any news on vehicle hire old chap? I can do it if you like.

[El Gordo]

Good reminder. I've had other concerns recently, like beer and pizza tasks.

I'll take another look now and report back in a while.

[Antonio247]

I´ve had a look at several companies operating at Dublin airport. If we rent the car on Saturday morning and take it back on Tuesday at 6 pm, these would be the different quotes:

Budget - Volkswagen Golf € 78

Hertz - Ford Focus prepaid € 104 - on the spot € 119

Avis - Ford Focus € 87,49

Sixt - Volkswagen Golf € 46, 44

Europcar - Peugeot 307 € 59,60

We should have a look at what each company includes for the insurance.

All the models are with five doors-
In some cases, the car can be picked up at Dublin city centre and taken back at the airport.

Saludos desde Almería

[Seafront Plodder]

Thanks for looking Antonio.

2 cars have now been booked for the duration.

[suzieq]

I arrive in Dublin at 12:35 p.m. on Friday via Aer Lingus. I'll wait for the rest of you at the airport as I believe you come in just after me. Looking forward to this! Although not looking forward to the hills...

See you all on Friday!


Suzie

[Antonio247]

Gracias, SP.

Have a safe journey, Suzie and all the others.

As I´m arriving at around 5 pm, Shall we all meet at 7 pm at the hotel lobby?

Looking forward to meeting all of you on Friday.

Antonio

[El Gordo]

Hi All

As SP says, we have sorted out the cars, but thanks for looking Antonio. The cost including insurance etc is £90 per car (Ford Focus).

Suzie - we're arriving at 12 noon, so are actually a bit ahead of you. Will PM my phone number.

By the way, I've not done any running for weeks and have got very fat. Went for a very mild plod last week and still felt a twinge in the left calf, so I'm not even thinking of running. However, I am planning to walk the course to enjoy the scenery and get the goody bag.

[Antonio247]

Hi All

As SP says, we have sorted out the cars, but thanks for looking Antonio. The cost including insurance etc is £90 per car (Ford Focus).

Suzie - we're arriving at 12 noon, so are actually a bit ahead of you. Will PM my phone number.

By the way, I've not done any running for weeks and have got very fat. Went for a very mild plod last week and still felt a twinge in the left calf, so I'm not even thinking of running. However, I am planning to walk the course to enjoy the scenery and get the goody bag.

Gracias, EG.

See you soon

Antonio