I'll be travelling down from Yorkshire (car) the day before, planning to visit friends in the deep south before making my way over to Heathrow and staying at the Park Inn on Bath road. I know one other person through this forum is also staying at same hotel.

We are planning to eat at the "Three Magpies" also on Bath road that evening, can recommend it, better than hotel bar meals and eating on your own (reckon be in pub at 7-30/8ish).

On the previous post others said they may join us for a meal depending on their hotel, be nice if some could as we've not got a executive lounge the morning of our flight to meet up.

On another note some people said previously they would be interested in visiting a Blues Club in Chicago, I'm a fan and will be going to a different one both nights (after welcome meal first night) and anyone interested is welcome to tag along. Don't worry know where I'm going been to the Windy City many times.

Look forward to meeting everyone whether it be in the Three Magpies, Heathrow or Chicago.

Mick

Lokking forward to meeting you all soon. I am staying at the Sofitel the night before but hope to meet you at the pub.

Kay

Hi Mick & fellow route sixty-sixers

Lokking forward to meeting you all soon. I am staying at the Sofitel the night before but hope to meet you at the pub.

Kay

Hi Kay,

Don't know how your planning to get to the Pub from terminal 5 but if you look on google maps satelite image it looks like it has a car park at the back.

Another way is catch a 423 bus from term 5, it takes about 10 minutes and runs about every half hour, also it stops just past the pub (other side of road). Stop for going back is right outside pub and I believe its in the free bus zone so wont cost anything, I'll be using it in the morning.

If you google search "heathrow 423 bus" you will get a link to the timetable, the stop you want is "Heathrow Airport North Police Station".

Look forward to meeting you.

Mick

Not long now as Mick says. Time to start getting excited. Looking forward to meeting up with as many as possible at the Three Magpies the night before. Sounds like a great way to start our tour off.

I'm staying at the Park Inn also and I'm flying down from Manchester at 15:30 on the Sunday. Anyone else going on this tour flying from Manchester? If I remember rightly there was a couple of others who was travelling from Manchester.

As Mick has suggested a night out in Chicago is something I'm looking forward too

See you all on the 7th or 8th of October.

Paul

I've still not finalised my transport for getting to Heathrow but think I will be staying the night before. Will hopefully come along to the Three Magpies to meet you Paul and Mick (and hopefully Kay) the night before we fly out.

Has everyone booked on the optional excursions? I still haven't got around to doing it but will do soon. Just in two minds about Universal so may wait until we are there for that one and see how I feel. What are you guys all doing?

Speak soon

Victoria

Thanks for the directions Mick, a bus or taxi it will have to be as I am getting a lift to Heathrow.

Victoria, I have booked all the pre bookable excursions but cant remember if Universal is one of them or it is payable to the rep. I am sure that you would be able to book with the rep if you dont want to commit now. I have been to the LA Studios twice and would not miss the opportunity to go again. However there are lots of other things you may want to see and do in LA, but it is a BIG city to get around.

See you all soon , less than 3 weeks to go!!!

Kay

I've booked all the vacations except Branson and Tam o'shanter which are only bookable with the tour manager.

Actually got my final documents this morning.

Don't forget I can give you a lift back to Leicestershire if you wish so you only need transport one way.

If you are staying t the Soiftel maybe Kay and yourself could arrange to meet before comngto the Three Magpies, check out the buses on my previous comment to Kay.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Mick

Looking forward to meting everyone for this trip. Got my travel documents today so now I'm really excited. The Three Magpies the night before is a great way to start our tour so I hope you and others can make it there. Be nice to meet a few people instead of in the airport.

I've booked all the extra excursions. Might as well do everything while I'm there in case I can't get back to the USA. Universal Studio Tour was the top of my list of excursions and the brochure says it's a half day tour but the travel documents say it's a full day tour so even better now.

Have you decided which hotel you are staying at the night before?

Paul

If you ask Ben I've no objection to him giving you my email so I can give you my mobile number to help with the meet up in the Three Magpies (Paul already as my email).

But anyway my plan is getting in the Pub for 7-30 and have a drink before ordering food at 8ish if thats ok with everyone.

Mick

Hoping to do this holiday next September, if anyone finds or knows of a a good place to buy good quality cowboy boots on this tour can you please let me know, should have got some when I did Canyons, Parks and Little Big Horn, but didn't.

Many thanks,

Martin

Victoria/Kay,

If you ask Ben I've no objection to him giving you my email so I can give you my mobile number to help with the meet up in the Three Magpies (Paul already as my email).

But anyway my plan is getting in the Pub for 7-30 and have a drink before ordering food at 8ish if thats ok with everyone.

Mick

Hi Mick

Timings look fine to me, I have asked Ben to send you my email address, hope the waeather is better over there than it is here!!

K

I will ask Ben to pass your email on to me so we can organise meeting on the 7th. I will be staying at the Sofitel so Kay, perhaps we can meet up and get a taxi to the pub together. Actually Ben, perhaps you can pass on my email address to Mick, Kay and Paul? Thanks!

Many thanks again for the offer of the lift back to Leics, Mick. I have booked train tickets (really good deal) so should be fine but thanks all the same.

See you all soon

Victoria

PS I'm searching for insect repellents... (West Nile Virus) - anyone know of one that doesn't smell too bad?! :s

I've emailed you all with my mobile number, will make meeting much easier.

Maybe others will read the forum before 7th and join us at the three magpies.

Mick

Looking forward to the 7th now. Might get a few more for the Three Magpies.

Victoria I'm not sure about the insect repellant. I normally don't bother taking any. There is a slight risk and I guess if things get bad we can always buy some there.

Kay I doubt very much the weather in the USA could be any worse than what we have here right now. I'm looking forward to the sunshine in LA.

Thanks for your number Mick. I've e mailed mine back. Will text you when I arrive at the hotel.

See you all soon.

Paul