# August Londope -- plan now, and avoid the rush **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 30, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136 "2003-04-30T13:10:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![confessorknight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@confessorknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/confessorknight)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/421 "2003-08-15T21:07:46Z")
Great, now we’re into one-upmanship on the “sad pathetic individual” stakes. Anybody else want to steal my (pathetic) thunder? The above post is an attempt at humour please, please forgive me. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/422 "2003-08-15T21:07:52Z")
Speaking as someone who flinches at the sight of a money spider, **Crusoe** , do tell me if this works … but, please, don’t go into any details. ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/423 "2003-08-15T21:16:28Z")
Steve, if you want the number I’ll post it. I can’t even see a bad child’s drawing of a spider without the cold shivers. I tore the “spider recognition” pages out of my Lonely Planet guide to Australia before spending a year there (how’s that for sad, **confessorknight**?, apart from the fact I probably live about 5 mins from you). They claim an 80% success rate, including the diehard arachnophobes like myself, and it’s based on discussion and hypnotherapy with an optional “spider handling” element at the end if it’s worked for you. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/424 "2003-08-16T15:34:46Z")
Hope it works out well for you **Crusoe** , but in my twisted mind this leads to a potential for entertainment. We could get a list of the people envolved and have a “runs screaming like a big girl” derby. But making fun of phobias is a bad thing, so ignore the above. The real reason I came here is to ask if there is a semi-official London hotel/B&B for the weekend? If I can’t get a room, I need to leave no later than 10:30 to get the last train back to rustic Farnbrough. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/425 "2003-08-16T17:44:49Z")
Just a side note: Ann (the spouse) has a birthday on Thursday, so if she decides to come along on Saturday (as she may), be sure to wish her a belated happy birthday. ---
**Author:** ![Anahita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9a28c/32.png) [@Anahita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anahita)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/426 "2003-08-16T17:52:56Z")
**kferr** , some of us are staying here. [http://www.thistlehotels.com/main/hotel/londonryan/index.xml](http://www.thistlehotels.com/main/hotel/londonryan/index.xml) ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/427 "2003-08-17T10:18:58Z")
Thanks **Anahita** , I’ve just booked in there too. Now we’ll be able to stumble back from the pub in a group. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/428 "2003-08-17T22:06:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crusoe \* > \*\*They claim an 80% success rate, including the diehard arachnophobes like myself, and it’s based on discussion and hypnotherapy with an optional “spider handling” element at the end if it’s worked for you. \*\* That’s amazing! I guess the 80% is based on the take-up of the spider handling bit? Anyway, good for you! Now, I still need to get around to getting flights and accommodation… ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/429 "2003-08-18T09:56:12Z")
Now, **Annie** , is it just my eyes going funny or did you miss little ol’ me from your list’o’dopers? I’m still hoping to be there, you know. Px ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/430 "2003-08-18T16:40:35Z")
I got the dates mixed up and went to the Silver Cross a week early, doh. It turned out for the best, as I was double-booked to go on a movie date, and Pirates of the Caribbean is fabulous, if you haven’t seen it yet then you really must. Next week I’m working in Oxford on Saturday, but will join you all in the evening - I know exactly where the pub is now! ---
**Author:** ![Tir\_Tinuviel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tir\_Tinuviel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tir_Tinuviel)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/431 "2003-08-18T16:59:56Z")
Well, I just got a lovely phonebill for almost £100, so that’s me out. Arse. Sorry guys, I’ll have to buy you all back beers at a later date. ---
**Author:** ![hibernicus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hibernicus/32/2802_2.png) [@hibernicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hibernicus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/432 "2003-08-19T01:17:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kabbes \* > **I’m still hoping to be there, you know.** Yay! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tir Tinuviel \* > **Well, I just got a lovely phonebill for almost £100, so that’s me out.** Arse! Speaking of arse, my flight is now 100 euro + tax instead of 65 last week. Maybe if I leave it another few days I can pay 200? Okay, no more messing around. I’m booking the flight tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/433 "2003-08-19T02:30:04Z")
I’m too lazy to search through all nine pages of this thing, but if any of this is happening on Saturday, 23 August, then I’d love to be involved in some fashion. Can anyone point me to when and where or summarise, please? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/434 "2003-08-19T07:50:50Z")
**To recap:** This Saturday in the Silver Cross Pub on Whitehall (Trafalgar Square end), starting around 7 if not earlier. There has been discussion of pre-pub activities, but nothing definite has been determined. ---
**Author:** ![kabbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e99b99/32.png) [@kabbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kabbes)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/435 "2003-08-19T08:25:13Z")
Perhaps we could change the title to include the words “August 23rd 7pm Silver Cross Pub Whitehall”? pan ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/436 "2003-08-19T11:18:52Z")
Possibly someone should take a lead on the pre-pub activities front… ? All that’s needed is a focal point, to which people can swarm like moths chasing a mixed metaphor it they feel so inclined. (Thinking of the trip to the British Museum, which for a substantial proportion of the gathering turned into the trip to the pub across the road from the British Museum.) ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/437 "2003-08-19T11:26:31Z")
Tate Modern? Science Museum? (seriously, it’s great, and it was free last time although I don’t know if that’s still the case) Or, since it’s free (or at least the last time I went) the National Gallery? ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/438 "2003-08-19T11:59:39Z")
I’d go with the focal point thing and i’d second the choice of a (free) museum - at least to start with. ---
**Author:** ![garius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@garius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garius)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/439 "2003-08-19T12:01:12Z")
I’ve just noticed that my last comment added no value to the discussion whatsoever. bugger - i’ve finally succumbed and started behaving like a proper Civil Servant. [sub]help me![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136/440 "2003-08-19T12:39:07Z")
All the following museums are now free: Science Museum Natural History Museum V&A Imperial War Museum Museum of London British Museum Sir John Soane’s Museum and: National Gallery National Portrait Gallery Tate Britain Tate Modern British Library Wallace Collection etc [here’s a page](http://www.londontouristboard.com/html/index.php?pgd=74) on London for free. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/august-londope-plan-now-and-avoid-the-rush/172136.md?page=23)