Dear Fellow-Motorists,
I'm off on my next jaunt, this time combining a spring break with a visit to my elderly aunt in Falmouth, Cornwall. I will be picking up my companion from work in Luton at around 13:30 on Wednesday and have booked the Travelodge south of Okehampton for Wednesday night's stop-over, before continuing to Penzance the next morning to catch the helicopter to Tresco for the day.
To get to Okehampton, my initial thoughts would be M1, M25, M4, M5, A30. However, a chance remark by a friend, confirmed by my own research, suggests a better alternative: M1, M25, M3, A303, A30. It's a few miles shorter and, with optimum conditions, takes only slightly longer. (According to Google routes.) But conditions won't be optimum when I go, as, with Option A, I'll be at the dreaded M4/M5 interchange at a pretty busy time.
I reckon Plan B's better. What say you?
We return Sunday afternoon - thoughts on the best route for this are welcome too.
Best regards,
Chris
Last edited by: ChrisPeugeot on Mon 28 Mar 11 at 18:11
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A303 has speed cameras hidden on all of the single carriageway sections and some of the dual sections too Chris.
Pat
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I'd use the motorway route, one small accident in the wrong place on the A303 or A30 and it grinds to a halt, particularly on the single lane sections.
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I avoid the A303 like the plague due to past experiences and always use the M4/M5 route now.
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M4 - M5 every day of the week.
If problems on A30 signed before leaving M5, useful diversion is A38, A382.
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Well, the consensus seems to be for the obvious route, then.
I must admit I was put off this a couple of years back when, on returning from Cornwall, I spent a very long time crawling along the M5 before I could get on to the M4 and I was thinking that tomorrow evening I would be near this intersection around 17:30.
Fairly awful weather forecast for later this week in the south-west. I'm beginning to think the considerable cost of the helicopter tickets might not have been money well spent.
Thanks for your comments.
Last edited by: ChrisPeugeot on Tue 29 Mar 11 at 10:52
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A flight in a helicopter is always money well spent - but then I would say that wouldn't I....
Well I would opt for the A303 route which is a bit more of an interesting drive IMO . I always use it when travelling to visit friends in Exmouth from Sussex.
I also recommend a stop off at the Fleet Air Arm museum at Yeovilton on the way to check out the fabulous old planes and helicopters there. You can have a go at flying a Merlin in the simulator there if you want to get the helicopter experience without paying the £150 or so that they charge these days on British International.
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Tickets already booked, unfortunately - but at least they are a "special March 20% off" price. I gather this is the last year the heliport will be at its current site and imagine that wherever it moves to (and Land's End now looks unlikely) it will be an occasion for increasing the fare. The thing is, I've wanted to visit the Tresco Gardens for years and now it looks as if I'll be lucky to get any worthwhile photos.
I suppose the A303 makes sense if you're starting from Sussex.
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The 303 currently has major roadworks at Stonehenge with horrendous delays at peak times.
You can slip off at the Solstice park slip and follow for Bulford and Larkhill, then Shrewton then follow your sat nav back for A303.
M4/M5 interchange can be come a nightmare. 303 is ok if you avoid at all the peak times.
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The Tresco gardens are a beauty to behold, but that rattly, rickety old helicopter needs retiring now:)
Pat
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Much better to go to the Scillies by ship and watch them come over the horizon.
The current Scillonian III has been in service since '77 and I remember the Scillonian II, laying in the sun on canvas covered timber hatches ...
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I did think about going by sea. I concluded it's not practical for a day trip to Tresco.
The problem with getting to Tresco on the Scillonian is that, for most dates, it arrives fairly late in the morning - at St Mary's. Then you have to get another boat to Tresco. You need to be back at St Mary's by 4:30. Possible, but it all seems a bit rushed to me.
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You speak the truth Pat
The Sikorsky S61 NM which is operated by BIH on that route is Registration:G-BCEB
First Registration Issue Date:02/10/1974 so 37 years old.
This machine featured in a recent debate thread on pprune as to the oldest operational helicopter in the UK........
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I assume of course Pat was talking about the Penzance - Tresco helicopter and not me when she was talking about a rickety old helicopter in need of retirement.......
Last edited by: retpocileh on Wed 30 Mar 11 at 15:42
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If she stays quiet on the subject, then I guess we'll never know. ;>)
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Of course I was talking about the helicopter:)
Pat
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I'm impressed with Pat's knowledge of choppers.
Must be all those years spent working in a male-dominated environment.
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It could have a little to do with it..they do like bragging about them.
Pat
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...it could have a little to do with it..they do like bragging about them...
You know what they say, it's the empty - or in this case the smallest - vessels which make the most noise.
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Now why would that bring Zero to mind....
Pat
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...Now why would that bring Zero to mind...
Couldn't possibly comment.
But if I could, I would agree.
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Route Luton - Okehampton - Pat
