Barbara
hello and welcome, I have been on this tour a few years ago and it's a really nice tour to go on, I have used JY many times now so if you have any question please just ask.
many people who travel with JY make long journeys from Scotland Ireland and even Jersey to join up for a tour so you are not alone with travelling a long way. Does the train run from your way, or National Express coaches I think if you book through JY it's cheaper?,or JY does run a car service at a cost. Perhaps one of these ways would work for you.
I hope someone that makes a long journey answers your posting, I live very close to LHR, and LGW is only 40 mins away I am lucky in that respect, but I do have to put up with living in a populate heaving town area!
Good Luck
Cindy