Amateur Poker Association & Tour
Poker Forum => Live Poker => Topic started by: Paulie_D on July 02, 2010, 12:09:56 PM
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APAT are pleased to confirm details of this event are finalised :-
The Irish Amateur Championship is to be held in Dublin at The Fitzwilliam Card Club on 25th & 26th September 2010.
The Fitzwilliam Casino & Card Club
Address:
Clifton Hall
Lower Fitzwilliam Street
Dublin 2
Ireland
General Enquiries
Tel: +353 1 6114677
Fax: +353 1 6114678
Email: info@fitzwilliamcardclub.com
This is a 150 seat, two day event. Please be aware that dead stacks will be removed from the tournament at the end of level three by the cardroom staff. No exceptions will be made. If you haven"t taken your seat in the first three levels, you will not be able to continue in the tournament.
There will not be a Pro League or Specialist Series events in Dublin.
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The Amateur Event will take place at the Fitzwilliam on the original date.
However due to pressures on space there will not be Professional League and Specialist series events in Dublin.
In that sense the weekend will mirror the Fitzwilliam events from seasons 1-3.
Please note one important point, at this event "dead" stacks will be removed from play after three levels, not remaining til blinding out as in previous years
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So just to clarify, we are only running the main event in Dublin. If you have bought in and are not in your seat at the end of the 3rd level, your chips will be removed from play by the cardroom staff.
Although we are not running any side events, The Fitzwilliam will have their usual tournament schedule and cash games running, so plenty of poker to be had by all.
And I believe the regular "Dewi" Friday night game will take place as normal.
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So then, seats are still available on Betfair
After Dtd, who else wants to come now? ;D :D
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Last time I looked the new BF software wasn"t showing the people who had registered prior to the switch. Is this still the case? If so will it be updated or will APAT produce a list of entrants who reg"d prior to the switch?
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Last time I looked the new BF software wasn"t showing the people who had registered prior to the switch. Is this still the case? If so will it be updated or will APAT produce a list of entrants who reg"d prior to the switch?
The latter, on it this week.
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Anyone would think you"ve been busy ! ;)
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Seats for this are still available in the Betfair lobby.
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Seats for this are still available in the Betfair lobby.
There are nine entries showing in the holding tank, how many are there left (really) ?
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Seats for this are still available in the Betfair lobby.
There are nine entries showing in the holding tank, how many are there left (really) ?
I think when the switch-over happened there were, maybe, 6 - 7 entries. So, 15 - 20 I would guess have gone.
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have just looked at the betfair holding tank for this event and its showing 8 enteries so far and a capacity of 62 is that right?
if i want to play this event do i just buyin there and thats it?
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Yep, thats it, and get yourself to Dublin!
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have just looked at the betfair holding tank for this event and its showing 8 enteries so far and a capacity of 62 is that right?
if i want to play this event do i just buyin there and thats it?
The numbers might be a little off (on the low side) as there are some entries not listed from before the Betfair software switchover.
If you mean buy-in using the Betfair Poker client then, yes...that"s it. A little while (usually a week) before the event, Betfair close the tank, send the players" names to the venue and APAT. They also handle sending the prize pool to the venue too.
All you have to do is get yourself to The Fitzwilliam in time for the start.
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cheers for the replys guys.
what is the capacity for the tournament? surely its more than the 62 stated in the betfair lobby?
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cheers for the replys guys.
what is the capacity for the tournament? surely its more than the 62 stated in the betfair lobby?
As I said, the numbers are on the low side...I THINK capacity is 100 but I"ll have to root around for definite numbers.
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Capacity is 150, as in prior years
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Capacity is 150, as in prior years
Beat me too it...got distracted by work...pah!
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Been checking with Betfair but I believe we set capacity online for starters at 100, 38 were sold prior to them migrating, showing 62 left in the new holding tank
that"s the reason for 62, the odd capacity figure
So 38+8=46 sold to date
I think.
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How do the numbers sold so far compare with say last year? Are we looking at a possible poor turnout or is this just "normal" at this stage? Will there be locals to fill the spare capacity?
I"m considering going but not if it"s looking like <100 runners.
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How do the numbers sold so far compare with say last year? Are we looking at a possible poor turnout or is this just "normal" at this stage? Will there be locals to fill the spare capacity?
I"m considering going but not if it"s looking like <100 runners.
I haven"t been for a couple of years (Vegas usually gets in the way) but I believe that this has ALWAYS sold out...the locals will snap up any remaining seats if you don"t.
The structure is MILES better than anything they will generally see at the Fitz.
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UK turnout to date is poor compared to last year. In the first three seasons we"ve always travelled across with 100+. However there is still time.
Local demand should be high (we usually have 20-30 alternates in Dublin, local players who leave it to the last minute) , always is to ensure that...
Will be over 100 runners, imo
UK turnout? there was a problem with the venue, that delayed "on sale"/caused confusion, then WCOAP before and Luton/Coventry coming up so perhaps people don"t feel the need to travel/spend this year with so many events around the Dublin one.
Unless anyone knows of any other reasons
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I haven"t been for a couple of years (Vegas usually gets in the way) but I believe that this has ALWAYS sold out...the locals will snap up any remaining seats if you don"t.
don"t think it sold out last year.
UK turnout? there was a problem with the venue, that delayed "on sale"/caused confusion, then WCOAP before and Luton/Coventry coming up so perhaps people don"t feel the need to travel/spend this year with so many events around the Dublin one.
Think this has a significant bearing - it certainly does for me. Dublin is just so expensive for food and drink that it takes the trip beyond low stakes poker..... am looking forward to Barcelona, and reckon the weekend will be overall cheaper than Dublin.
That said though, the trip last year was excellent - the Dublinners are just the most fantastic bunch of people.
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I haven"t been for a couple of years (Vegas usually gets in the way) but I believe that this has ALWAYS sold out...the locals will snap up any remaining seats if you don"t.
don"t think it sold out last year.
Sorry...by "Sold Out" I meant" Ran with Max Runners"...not that they were all sold through APAT. I think that"s true...but I could be wrong.
I agree that Dublin CAN be expensive in terms of food & drink but it all depends on one"s...erm...tendencies. We"re not there for long and cheapish pub food can be found within easy walking distance of the Fitz. Of course, if you"re Ger, then your drinks bill is going to be mahoosive...and then there"s Laxie and the "extra"s to consider.
Finally, and believe me, whatever you spend you will make back playing cash in short order. The Fitz regulars have been ripped to pieces for 3 years running by the APAT crew...why do you think Tighty had so much hassle in locking them down?
I...me personally, made money there and I can"t play cash for toffee. ;D
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Think this has a significant bearing - it certainly does for me. Dublin is just so expensive for food and drink that it takes the trip beyond low stakes poker..... am looking forward to Barcelona, and reckon the weekend will be overall cheaper than Dublin.
That said though, the trip last year was excellent - the Dublinners are just the most fantastic bunch of people.
Cmon Steve, pull yer finger out..!! There are 133 players on the ranking scoreboard.. :-)
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Do APAT realise that there is a holding tank for the Pro event on the betfair client?
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maybe the Dublin APAT is less popular because there are several other poker events in Dublin all within the same month, the UKIPT and short handed championships (which are in successive weeks).
Granted they are bigger buy ins but with all being in such a short timescale it could slightly affect numbers.
Also there has been quite alot of travelling involved with the APAT tour and the comps towards the end of the schedule are the ones that will suffer numbers wise as people use up holidays etc
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Do APAT realise that there is a holding tank for the Pro event on the betfair client?
thanks.
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We recommend that all players travelling to Dublin bring a passport with them. Irish and British citizens do not strictly require a passport to travel between the two countries - some form of identification is however required.
You will also need Photo ID to register at the Fitz
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When is the list of players going to be published?
Still not showing on Betfair. How hard can it be for them to resolve this?
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Still not showing on Betfair.
The holding tank is open on Betfair with 8 runners.
We understand that the previous tank (before the software update) will NOT be combined with this new tank.
When is the list of players going to be published?
Expect a player list about a week before the event.
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Cheers for the info Paulie.
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Betfair (Old Software) Holding Tank
Bond4pm1
staffieboy1
mojoxxx
duke9999
PaulieLPM
Icepack
scothy
Witham
gunnerdamo1
Jagshemash
Tyl3rDurden
BOING68
CookMySock
DaveGrohl
iriskzim
Mint Trav
bubbleboiy
JamboWilson
DundeeShug
cashman00
carlarge
sussiepea
MJS1977
Lurch1
mobyjack75
ReapUrChips
tmagnus81
linziwan1
TheSnapper6
cormach
LilSnapper6
Destroyer16
sambarnbrac
davey b147
ninjaHooOOo
1966Ant
Thinker28
SkinEm
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I make that 38..plus the 11 that are in the new tank.
Excellent...come on people...let"s fill it.
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The holding tank for the Irish event will be taken down next week to allow Betfair time to transfer funds to The Fitz.
Don"t leave it too late to get a seat if you are interested.
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The holding tank for the Irish event will be taken down next week to allow Betfair time to transfer funds to The Fitz.
Don"t leave it too late to get a seat if you are interested.
what day please?
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The holding tank for the Irish event will be taken down next week to allow Betfair time to transfer funds to The Fitz.
Don"t leave it too late to get a seat if you are interested.
what day please?
I would guess it will be Thurs/Fri, but awaiting Betfair to confirm this.
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The holding tank for the Irish event will be taken down next week to allow Betfair time to transfer funds to The Fitz.
Don"t leave it too late to get a seat if you are interested.
what day please?
There is a seat available in the Seat Exchange in case of need.
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So just to clarify, we are only running the main event in Dublin. If you have bought in and are not in your seat at the end of the 3rd level, your chips will be removed from play by the cardroom staff.
Oh :o
Myself and the Stockton Rock will be landing at 12:30 at Dublin Airport and the Rock has booked a hotel in the middle of nowhere :( What time will the event be kicking off? Is it the usual 3pm?
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What time will the event be kicking off? Is it the usual 3pm?
Nope...the usual 2.30pm.
Honestly, I go to all the trouble of putting up a Travel Tips thread and you book somewhere miles away? Sheesh!
Anyway, I think you"ll be fine...the Fitz is c.20 minutes from the airport and you could always go straight there.
Shoulda come on Friday evening for the craic. (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/ernaehrung/food-smiley-012.gif)
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Nope...the usual 2.30pm.
Honestly, I go to all the trouble of putting up a Travel Tips thread and you book somewhere miles away? Sheesh!
Anyway, I think you"ll be fine...the Fitz is c.20 minutes from the airport and you could always go straight there.
Shoulda come on Friday evening for the craic. (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/ernaehrung/food-smiley-012.gif)
Cheers Paul :)
I did originally check in using your tips into somewhere on Leeson Street honest.. but the rock was a late addition to the party and he booked "Days Hotel Dublin Park West" which requires a shuttle bus in ::)
We will be making up for missing Friday evenings festivities on Saturday and Sunday, I"m sure we"ll have some catching up to do ;)
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I did originally check in using your tips into somewhere on Leeson Street honest.. but the rock was a late addition to the party and he booked "Days Hotel Dublin Park West" which requires a shuttle bus in ::)
Wow....that"s quite a way out of town...imagine being staying at a hotel on the M25 for playing at the Vic.
Google Maps says 45 minutes Airport - Days Inn - Fitz but I"d guess you"d be looking at closer to 90 with getting out of the airport, checking in...and navigating the Saturday traffic...It"ll be close!
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Wow....that"s quite a way out of town...imagine being staying at a hotel on the M25 for playing at the Vic.
Google Maps says 45 minutes Airport - Days Inn - Fitz but I"d guess you"d be looking at closer to 90 with getting out of the airport, checking in...and navigating the Saturday traffic...It"ll be close!
Hmmmm.. cheers Paul looks like its going to be very close.
I"m thinking heading straight there for a pre match Guinness or two at the pub on the corner. Be rude not to I reckon :)
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Exactly...home away from the Fitz...
The Henry Grattan..I think it is.
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Larry Murphy"s?
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Nope...the usual 2.30pm.
Honestly, I go to all the trouble of putting up a Travel Tips thread and you book somewhere miles away? Sheesh!
Anyway, I think you"ll be fine...the Fitz is c.20 minutes from the airport and you could always go straight there.
Shoulda come on Friday evening for the craic. (http://www.clicksmilies.com/s1106/ernaehrung/food-smiley-012.gif)
Cheers Paul :)
I did originally check in using your tips into somewhere on Leeson Street honest.. but the rock was a late addition to the party and he booked "Days Hotel Dublin Park West" which requires a shuttle bus in ::)
We will be making up for missing Friday evenings festivities on Saturday and Sunday, I"m sure we"ll have some catching up to do ;)
of all the places there staying park west is about 2 miles away from where i live.
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Larry Murphy"s?
Ahh...that"s the one...TYVM
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of all the places there staying park west is about 2 miles away from where i live.
Share a taxi Saturday night with me and the Stockton rock? Planning on a late one though ;D
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Share a taxi Saturday night with me and the Stockton rock? Planning on a late one though ;D
Especially as you"ll have plenty of time Phil...it"s not as though you"ll have to get up for Day 2! ;D
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Share a taxi Saturday night with me and the Stockton rock? Planning on a late one though ;D
Especially as you"ll have plenty of time Phil...it"s not as though you"ll have to get up for Day 2! ;D
Cheers Paulie ;)
A visit to the Guinness factory already planned for Sunday, its going to be happy days regardless I reckon, my visit there last year opened my eyes and started a love affair that will last forever. Not sure how we"re going to get there from our hotel on the moon though, but I"d walk it if I had to ;D
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Cheers Paulie ;)
"A visit to the Guinness factory already planned for Sunday" , its going to be happy days regardless I reckon, my visit there last year opened my eyes and started a love affair that will last forever. Not sure how we"re going to get there from our hotel on the moon though, but I"d walk it if I had to
he really means putting up his feet and sampling the local ale
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A visit to the Guinness factory already planned for Sunday, its going to be happy days regardless I reckon, my visit there last year opened my eyes and started a love affair that will last forever. Not sure how we"re going to get there from our hotel on the moon though, but I"d walk it if I had to ;D
The new Park West train station has just opened, and is 2 minutes walk from the hotel. It will offer 25 services daily, with a journey time of just 12 minutes to Heuston Station in Dublin (seems to be just a few minutes walk to the Guiness Brewery from there). For more information and to see timetables, visit www.irishrail.ie (http://www.irishrail.ie/home/)
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The new Park West train station has just opened, and is 2 minutes walk from the hotel. It will offer 25 services daily, with a journey time of just 12 minutes to Heuston Station in Dublin (seems to be just a few minutes walk to the Guiness Brewery from there). For more information and to see timetables, visit www.irishrail.ie (http://www.irishrail.ie/home/)
Paulie your a star (is this just so i"ll get you one or two in over there) ;)
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Just been for a pre weekend Guinness with the Stockton Rock. Got to say I"m so looking forward to this weekend. How many runners are confirmed via Betfair / Fitz? Any indications of numbers? Will Larry Murphys have any guinness left by the time we get there??
p.s. Did i say I was excited? ;D
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I haven"t been into the Fitz recently but I see nothing about this on their website. Would it be worth advertising on Irishpokerboards.com (the biggest poker forum) just to ensure there"s a good turn-out?
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Feel free sir or I can tomorrow
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Here"s the thread I created - might want to check it and amend if there"s anything wrong in it.
http://www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/showthread.php?p=156446#post156446 (http://www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/showthread.php?p=156446#post156446)
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Here"s the thread I created - might want to check it and amend if there"s anything wrong in it.
http://www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/showthread.php?p=156446#post156446 (http://www.irishpokerboards.com/forum/showthread.php?p=156446#post156446)
Thanks for posting the info! I"ve been MIA with a bit, but will look after the Irish thread for ye and answer their questions as they post. ;)
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Tighty am I missing something here?
We paid $120 and you say seats are available for $90 on the day?
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Tighty am I missing something here?
We paid $120 and you say seats are available for $90 on the day?
51 via Betfair
venue to sell to over 100, if the past three events are anything to go by
entries on the day accepted to capacity at ?90 per seat
90euros
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jus checkin
trainers ok for this venue coz i only got hand luggage dont really want to carry over shoes lol.
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jus checkin
trainers ok for this venue coz i only got hand luggage dont really want to carry over shoes lol.
Yes
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how can i sign up for the brewery trip? will you guys accept a scotsman? or will I have to rely on frankie Bailie(cormach) to see to my guinness needs
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how can i sign up for the brewery trip? will you guys accept a scotsman? or will I have to rely on frankie Bailie(cormach) to see to my guinness needs
No special sign up required. Just turn up at Larry Murphy"s across the road from the Fitz. Make sure you get his mobile number while yer there too. That way you can ring ahead for yer pints. When a break comes, tear road across the street and it"ll be up on the bar waiting for ya. That"s just how we roll. ;)
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does that mean you can run very fast or that you intend to get knocked out early? ;D
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does that mean you can run very fast or that you intend to get knocked out early? ;D
5 minutes to break ring pub and order. At break - Run fast. At pub - Drink fast. Then - Run back fast. Simplez see?
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does that mean you can run very fast or that you intend to get knocked out early? ;D
5 minutes to break ring pub and order. At break - Run fast. At pub - Drink fast. Then - Run back fast. Simplez see?
Spoken like a true drinker or should i say alcoholic
I"ll be in larry murphys on friday from around 6pm and saturday from around 12pm so if there are any alcoholics out there who would like to join me for a few pre tournament alcoholic beverages make your self known to us at the pub
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does that mean you can run very fast or that you intend to get knocked out early? ;D
5 minutes to break ring pub and order. At break - Run fast. At pub - Drink fast. Then - Run back fast. Simplez see?
Spoken like a true drinker or should i say alcoholic
I"ll be in larry murphys on friday from around 6pm and saturday from around 12pm so if there are any alcoholics out there who would like to join me for a few pre tournament alcoholic beverages make your self known to us at the pub
Nah man. I"m just good at multi tasking. :D
Some of the Lads will be delayed due to the change in water transport. Safe travels everyone!!!
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APAT Dublin....the day before. Pt I
Friday 24th September 2010
The day dawned...but as usual I was up before that...(when did it stop getting light before I am awake?)..but no time to dawdle around with a cup of coffee and a bacon sarnie this morning. Oh no..I"m off to Dublin today.
Having found this (supposedly) simple relaxing train/ferry option for c.£65 I kind of had to try it out.
Silly me....I should have known that any journey relying on the much vaunted London public transportation system was not going to be easy.
No problem getting the bus to Upminster station...oddly quiet this morning...It"s been a few years since I"ve been a regular commuter but recall the buses and trains being fuller. It"s not as though I"ve gotten any smaller!
So...District Line to London with a quick change to the Hammersmith and CIty Line to roll into Euston Square around 8.30 or so for a 9.10 departure to Holyhead.
All started well but when I try to make the change to the H&C line I encounter my first problem. After going just one stop we"re told that the service is being suspended due to signalling difficulties. Sigh.
OK, backup plan..back on the District Line to Tower Hill, change to the Circle Line. Get to Tower Hill. swap platforms...stairs, bane of my existence.
Excellent..Circle Line train rolls in 1 minute later. I board.
Nope...announcement. "Circle Line is suspended".
FECK!
OK, I check the time...and continued travel by train just isn"t going to cut it. I hoof it to Fenchurch Street and finally manage to flag down a cab about 8.35.
We seem to crawl through town taking some back-doubles that have me thinking I"m beng long-hauled. I deliberately don"t check the time all the way.
Either I make it..or I don"t.
T.B.C.
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Woke up 10 mins ago - in 10 more minutes Shogun Transport Services leave for Holyhead. Hit holyhead in 75 mins. Job done.
ps. Good luck Paulie ;D
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He made the 9:10 departure on Virgin, but I can"t imagine it was fun. lol
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Woke up this morning, as Dawn broke, (memo to self....get Dawn"s puncture fixed), and thought sod it we"re not flying "til tomorrow, so back to sleep........
Woke up this afternoon, Dawn still broke, so off to bicycle shop before a large curry and a few G"s in practice for tomorrow. Sleep well Tighty......
Safe travel all.
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Woke up this morning. Dawn had been and gone (Curlarge must have fixed her) Checked I had got everything ready...
Money,
Mobile
Laptop
...went to work, wishing I was going to Dublin.
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Woke up 10 mins ago - in 10 more minutes Shogun Transport Services leave for Holyhead. Hit holyhead in 75 mins. Job done.
ps. Good luck Paulie ;D
you woke 10 minutes ago i thought the older you get the earlier you get up you must.ent be as old as everyone thinks......ill have some raw eggs brown sauce and mustered and and a little aftershock all in the one glass ready for your hangovers... c u at the tables.
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Early flight tomorrow, got to be up the crack of Dawn......one love bite and she disappears!!!!!!
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Paulie...oh Paulieeeeeeeeeeeeeee Where are ya? Just got a text from Ger saying yer not there yet.
Someone find out where he is if ya have a number for him please and thanks.
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Call off the search party. He"s just landed in Murphy"s and all is right with the world. :)
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Sigh. Not half lonesome enough missing you lot, but had things to do at home today. Get yer backsides to day two so I"ve a reason to catch a train up tomorrow for the rail! No pressure. :)
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Call off the search party. He"s just landed in Murphy"s and all is right with the world. :)
APAT Dublin....the day before. Pt II
Friday 24th September 2010
...so, we roll up to Euston and I get out of the cab and pay the man his money...and it"s 9.03am. I just handed him a £20 note and didn"t have time for change...decent tip for him!
I race...OK, waddle as fast as I can..up the stairs and immediately see the electronic board showing my train is on platform 4.
9.05am...I make it down the ramp and on to the first carriage I"m ticketed for, which turns out to be the last but one carriage at the rear of the train. I plunk myself down in the first non-reserved seat and all is right.
9.08 am Plug in the laptop, grab the free wifi and I"m good to go.
OR AT LEAST I THINK I AM!
T.B.C.
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So here I sit in the Fitz.
A 4.30am start for a 6.30pm flight that I made by the skin of my teeth. Who should I run into at the airport on arrival but Jack Prime and Paul Petcher. Fancy that, three Leicester City fans, less than 12 hours after our 6-1 drubbing. No words needed to be said, a raised eyebrow or two said it all.
We shared a cab into town, they"ve gone wandering while I am getting up to speed
A text has just arrived from Leigh to say he and John Murray are stuck together at Gatwick, plane defective. If Leigh doesn"t arrive in time I will be forced to take the photos. I am not sure the APAT gallery is ready for that.
I"ll be back later with news before we start this afternoon.
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APAT Dublin....the day before. Pt III
Friday 24th September 2010
Having had a pretty fraught journey so far, I"m very happy to be relaxing in a nice seat, with a table with all of the electronic access I need to make the rest of the trip an enjoyable one.
BUT
About 90 minutes in, I think, we pull into Chester and I"m busy typing away when there"s a tap on my shoulder and the train attendant asks me where I"m going.
"Holyhead", I reply.
"Oh. You have to be in the first 6 carriages for that, the train is splitting here."
Whatever...I thank him, quickly grab my stuff and try to disembark...but the doors won"t open. I grab another attendant and she explains that until the train has split the doors remain locked.
FFS..a couple of minutes go by while I quietly fume, the train splits and my half moves a hundred yards down the platform.
The doors unlock and I"m off. I see the fellow who told me about the train splitting, which is the first I"ve heard of it...and we exchange waves.
Now my wave meant.."Yes it"s me, I coming to get back on the train"...but apparently we were not speaking in the same wave language because he turns to the train guard and says something...AND THE TRAIN PULLS OUT!
I DO NOT BELIEVE THE DAY I"M HAVING!
I harangue the guy for a couple of minutes and he just looks at me blankly and says "I"m not respnosible for holding trains".
I give up...apparently his red Virgin waistcoat is cutting of the oxygen to his brain.
I just ask when is the next train to Holyhead and apparently there is one is 10 minutes from the next platform over.
I heave my ageing carcase over the bridge to the next platform and the train is waiting for me. I clamber aboard and settle into my new seat. No luxuries here, no power point, no wifi.
Oh well, I have my mobile broadband dongle and as soon as we set off, I get set up again and start figuring out when I"ll arrive at Holyhead and whether I"ll make the ferry.
A quick check with Trainline lets me know that I should arrive before departure of the ferry..about 30 minutes...but there could be a problem as check-in will have closed 15 minutes before that...at least according to the ticket stuff I got from the ferry company.
I then have to start thinking about what will happen if I don"t make it...do I take the next ferry?...but that"s not for another 7 hours and it would mean arriving at my hotel at 2am...and it"s not 24 hour reception.
I could overnight in Holyhead and catch the fast ferry on Saturday morning...or I could just abandon the whole idea and turn around and go home.
I have so many scenarios floating around in my head, I can"t concentrate on reading my book. I just sit in my seat and watch the scenery go by...slowly.
Actually, that wasn"t to bad, it was very nice scenery and I wish I could have appreciated it more..but I had too much going on to do that.
At one point we stop at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch...but for some reason the driver doesn"t announce the stop. Heh!
Eventually, we arrive at Holyhead (2 minutes early in fact), I head off towards the Stena terminal at the end of the platform to discover my fate.
T.B.C.
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LMAOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Go Paulie go!
Very entertaining trip report so far! Is it wrong that I"m proper LOL here? ;D
PS Easy to LOL now - knowing you made it in the end. ;)
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APAT Dublin....the day before. Pt IV
Friday 24th September 2010
I enter the Stena terminal and...joy of joys...am greeted with the famous British invention...the queue!
Yes...I don"t know why...and at this point I don"t care why check-in it still open..but it is...at least as far as I can tell.
While I"m standing there, shuffling along every few seconds or so, I see the familiar face of Paul McGuinness and we exchange greetings, he disappears for a minute or to (honestly, the man has a bladder the size of a peanut)..during which time I make my way to the front of the check-in line.
Now I"m fully expecting to be pulled aside and told I"m too late but...all is good, I check-in my bag, get my boarding card and make my way to the shuttle bus for foot passengers. I try to wait for Paul but he misses the first bus and will have to catch the second one in a couple of minutes.
Eventually, we drive onto the ferry, I manage to find Paul and we make our way up to the restaurant & bar deck.
We grab a couple of drinks and a table and settle down to make the crossing. I fire up the laptop and log-in to the free wifi but it"s got some net-nanny filter...no gambling sites allowed...so I can"t post up what"s happening.
Regardless, Paul and I have a good old natter about APAT, Dublin, Life, how proud he is of the Welsh Team at WCOAP and a fed other subjects.
We"re sitting outside Dublin harbour when the captain comes over the tannoy to advise us that our docking berth is still occupied by the other Stena ship due to someone falling ill on board and they can"t leave.
And if they can"t leave...we can"t arrive.
Over the next FOUR hours we are advised that the person suffered at heart attack which meant that they had to wait for an ambulance to arrive...the paramedics then worked on the poor soul until they had to give up. This then meant that they had to wait for the Garda to arrive and take witness statements.
So, a journey that should have taken 3.5 hours took nearly 7.5 hours...but eventually we dock and disembark. Paul and I collect our luggage and head out of the terminal to find a cab. I would have thought they would be swarming but apparently not.
Stena do put on a courtesy bus into Connelly station but Paul has already found a taxi firm who will send us a cab if we can wait 15 minutes or so. Fair enough.
As it happens, a cab pulls in after about 5 minutes, apparently for hire. We flag him down and Paul goes up to the cab and says "McGuinness?"...the driver says yes and we climb in.
Only it wasn"t the cab we called...the driver"s name WAS McGuinness!
Doesn"t matter to us...we"re on board and heading for my hotel. Paul"s booked into the same one but only for Saturday and Sunday so I offer him my floor. I can see him while I"m typing this...snoring away..poor lamb...it wasn"t a late night for us...but it was a long day.
Anyway, we arrive safely at Latchfords about 9pm and I get us checked in. Nice place, self-catering, but they lay on tea and coffee in the room. Microwave, kettle, toaster and even a full oven.
Other than the kettle I don"t see those getting a lot of use. Literally over the road from Larry Murphy"s and only 55 euro a night. GOLDEN!
After getting sorted we wander over to Larry Murphys and are greeted by the Ger contingent and a few others. Hilarity ensues.
My reputation as a "Travel Guru" is clearly in tatters but I maintain that, if everything goes right, that journey is pretty sweet. Can"t say that I would do it exactly the same as I did this time, I might allow a little more time but sometimes stuff happens.
Onwards...breakfast awaits...if I can wake Paul.
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Yes we made it in the end. :) I should have been on the 10a.m. HSS but que sera! Cheers for the room share Paulie, very much appreciated. :) :)
Today, We eventually made the cafe for a very good brekky on upper Meirrion St. Paulie checks apat on his phone and informs me that Leigh is delayed At the Airport. Which I found quite funny as i was looking at a Leigh look alike with a John Murray look alike at the crossing??
No wait they are Our John and Leigh.. ;D ;D
Nipped into the Fitz to say hello to Tighty and the crew, Back to my very own room(courtesy of Mair..TY sweetheart :-*).
AAAAH!! a shower, that"s better. Football focus and soon it"s back to the Fitz.
Apat Dublin F.T.W.
P.S. Ger, Pat is not very happy as he opened Larry Murphy"s early at the 10:30 time you agreed last night :-\
You"s in the dog house dukey wookey :D
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P.S. Ger, Pat is not very happy as he opened Larry Murphy"s early at the 10:30 time you agreed last night :-\
You"s in the dog house dukey wookey :D
OMG - He said he wasn"t feeling the best, but this just proves it. Awwwwwww - feel better Ger. xx
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P.S. Ger, Pat is not very happy as he opened Larry Murphy"s early at the 10:30 time you agreed last night :-\
You"s in the dog house dukey wookey :D
OMG - He said he wasn"t feeling the best, but this just proves it. Awwwwwww - feel better Ger. xx
if you have asked him to open the pub early not feeling your best is no excuse Ger for not being at the doors for 10.30
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Yes we made it in the end. :) I should have been on the 10a.m. HSS but que sera! Cheers for the room share Paulie, very much appreciated. :) :)
Today, We eventually made the cafe for a very good brekky on upper Meirrion St. Paulie checks apat on his phone and informs me that Leigh is delayed At the Airport. Which I found quite funny as i was looking at a Leigh look alike with a John Murray look alike at the crossing??
No wait they are Our John and Leigh.. ;D ;D
Nipped into the Fitz to say hello to Tighty and the crew, Back to my very own room(courtesy of Mair..TY sweetheart :-*).
AAAAH!! a shower, that"s better. Football focus and soon it"s back to the Fitz.
Apat Dublin F.T.W.
P.S. Ger, Pat is not very happy as he opened Larry Murphy"s early at the 10:30 time you agreed last night :-\
You"s in the dog house dukey wookey :D
GL today Paul will be railing from my Garden in the sunshine of Gib with a few Heinekens lol. Are you playing Luton? I have just been given a leave pass from the Wife flights booked woop woop would be good to catch up!! TID
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P.S. Ger, Pat is not very happy as he opened Larry Murphy"s early at the 10:30 time you agreed last night :-\
You"s in the dog house dukey wookey :D
OMG - He said he wasn"t feeling the best, but this just proves it. Awwwwwww - feel better Ger. xx
if you have asked him to open the pub early not feeling your best is no excuse Ger for not being at the doors for 10.30
Sent Ger a text giving out to him and he claims he was there...but the doors were locked. Unlucky to both sides on that one. :D