In these recessionary times is it still possible to do things in style on a budget?
Definitely! Happily, my experience of booking things up for this year’s TGO Challenge has shown that there are still ways to do things in some considerable style and all for not a lot of money!
A quick breakdown of costs for this year’s walk’s big ticket items:
TRAVEL: The cost of my journey from my home in Berkshire to Morar on the north west coast of Scotland is £63.00. This includes travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper Service from Euston to Glasgow with a sleeping berth.
The cost of journey home is £42.93. This includes a First Class ticket from Montrose to Kings Cross with all refreshments included!
ACCOMMODATION: The total cost Including B&B’s in Morar, Spean Bridge, a bed in Braemar and campsite fees at Northwater Bridge and Montrose: £94.50
So, all up, that’s a two week holiday walking across Scotland for £200. Can’t be bad!
You will be setting yourself up as a travel agent next Alan.....Ha Ha.
ReplyDelete-Trevor
It *is* incredible how much you can actually pay for travel & accommodation if you leave it a little too late for the bargains.
DeleteI don't think Thomas Cook are doing too well at the moment - perhaps I shall leave it to them...
Can't be bad for the beer budget! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd there you have it, it one! That's the crucial; part of any budget: Entertainment!
DeleteAll the non-essentials like travel & accommodation are just the necessary overheads to get you to the right places for the entertainment.
All money saved elsewhere increases the budget available for beer.
Ha-ha, Paul beat me to it!
ReplyDeleteJJ
Aha! one of the Chief Entertainment Officers of the Challenge is here! Stand by your beds!
DeleteI too shall be returning from Montrose first class although it cost me £50.75, presumably because there was no bulk discount ;)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping that I would get away from the hoi polloi, but my hopes have been dashed unless you are in the quiet carriage,in which case the hopes of those wanting a peaceful journey in the quiet carriage will be dashed!
"Hoi Polloi????"
DeleteI'll ave you no we've got lots of culcher 'n stuff. Besides, doesn't every train journey need a good sing-song?
That £42.93 includes the travel from Kings X to Berkshire as well! Bargain, eh?
We are in coach M on the Friday's 10:32 from Montrose... You?
Well done for bagging the bargains! One word of caution - last year I paid for first class (with a senior railcard...) but was subjected to 2 hours standing in a corridor, no edible food, and no coffee unless I battled my way up the train to the back door of the kitchen....the previous train had been cancelled so everyone was piled onto my train and all reservations and classes suspended! What's more it took me 5 months to get a refund! Just a thought......(ps keep your ticket stubbs and be prepared to do battle!).
ReplyDeleteThat could easily happen to me in one of my Eeeyore moments: "That Accounts for a Good Deal," said Eeyore gloomily. "It Explains Everything. No Wonder."
Deleteand...
"He turned around angrily on the others and said "Everybody crowds round so in this Forest. There's no Space. I never saw a more Spreading lot of animals in my life, and in all the wrong places."
Good advice. I shall keep all receipts in my file marked "Eeyore's Great Expectations File"
The self same carriage and train, seat 55A
ReplyDeleteI shall bring ear plugs ;o)
I was going to nab the last two berths on the Glasgow sleeper (and have the cabin to myself), but I thought it would be a bit selfish, so I'm on the earlier sleeper alighting at Crianlarich, first class of course!
"Help, help," cried Piglet, "a Heffalump, a Horrible Heffalump!" and he scampered off as hard as he could, still crying out, "Help, help, a Herrible Hoffalump! Hoff, hoff, a Hellible Horralump! Holl, holl, a Hoffable Hellerump!"
DeleteI could tell you which three seats we have bagged, but that would end the dreadful uncertainty and anguish...
You could have made it cheaper by walking to the start point?
ReplyDeleteI don't think that has been done before. Oh hang on......
"So they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."
DeleteIndeed. Wise words.
I shall have to remember to bring an empty honey pot and a burst balloon!!!
ReplyDelete"So it does!" said Pooh. "It goes in!"
Delete"So it does!" said Piglet. "And it comes out!"
"Doesn't it?" said Eeyore. "It goes in and out like anything."
Have they changed your medication Al?
ReplyDeleteooh! Does it show? I shall take more water with it...
Delete"Oh, Eeyore, you are wet!" said Piglet, feeling him.
Eeyore shook himself, and asked somebody to explain to Piglet what happened when you had been inside a river for quite a long time.
"What I said was, 'Is anybody at home?'" called Pooh very loudly.
ReplyDelete"No!" said a voice; and then added, "You don't have to shout so loud. I heard you quite well the first time."
"Bother!" said Pooh, "Isn't there anybody here at all?"
"Nobody."
I have complete days exactly like that!
Delete:-)
Just out of interest I checked the ticket web site this morning and there's only one first class ticket left! All gobbled up by Challengers? You've got to be quick!
ReplyDeleteThere is always a bit of a party atmosphere at the train stations on the way up to Scotland and on the way home at Montrose. On the way up everyone is full of anticipation and another person with a rucksack on his back is usually another Challenger.
DeleteThe 10:30 train on the way home is always rammed full of Challengers.
Just be sure you don't waste the money saved on anything sensible Alan. Spend it on something ridiculous that you don't really need; I would (although I might then have to hide whatever that was).
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I gave up buying sensible shit a while ago when I realised the problem was suddenly getting more serious and determined to have as good a time while I still could.
Delete:-)
Ok, I am going to lower the tone here (again)
ReplyDeletePooh and Piglet
I admit it, it was on my blog a long time ago. :)
Ah yes! The swine flu epidemic... Excellent.
Delete:-)
Class war breaking out over on the Chally Message Board...
It is not really a class war.
ReplyDeleteThey are probably wealthier than we are.
Just not as organised.
Or quick off the mark.
Sour grapes and humbug.
And I assume well humoured.
I will not be dropping any crumbs. :)