Gauge of Interest for Big Mick 2012

First topic message reminder :

This might sound Irish........because it may well be!

The executive decision has been made to look into a visit into Northern Ireland for a wee change....subject to acceptance.

Probably in late July or August (any teachers want to go?)

There are ferries from Birkenhead (Liverpool) but they are quite a bit longer (approx 6 hours more) and about £70 more expensive than the Scottish Ferries (Cairnryan or Troon). The Liverpool ferry departure times aren't as good either.

Stenaline ferries are the cheaper (by about £20) compared to P&O.

Probably looking at departing on a Friday late morning / mid-day and travelling to Portrush.
Accommodation in Portrush Fri-Sun (3 nights)
Return on Monday (late morning / mid-day)

Rideouts on Saturday and Sunday

Ferry Info
Stenaline - cheapest - Cairnryan to Belfast return cost 1person 1bike = £80, 2 person 1bike = £128
Friday 3rd August 11:30 or 15:30 (2hr 15mins travel)
Monday 6th August 11:30 or 15:30

P&O - Troon to Larne = £20 more than Stenaline
depart 10:05
rtn 07:15 or 17:30

P&O - Cairnryan to Larne £20 more than Stenaline
depart 10:30 or 13:30
rtn 10:30 or 12:55

Liverpool to Belfast - 2 people 1 bike = 202 return (8 hr crossing)
Liverpool to Belfast - 1 people 1 bike = 150 return (8 hr crossing)

Other Info
Costs self catering (3 nights) approx £60 (includes breakfast & monies towards light refreshments)
in Port Rush (85 miles from Belfast - round the coast or 60 miles direct)

Dorm 1 x 10 perons, 2 x 4 person & two doubles = MAX 22 people.

Wee Ferry £5 - NI to Southern


Summary Costs
Ferry costs (assuming Scottish Stena Crossing)= £85 or £133(couple on 1 bike) (or £20 more for P&O)
Accommodation = £60 pp (total) for 3 nights includes breakfast & light refreshments
Fuel =
You Getting to Ferry terminal (Cairnryan?)+
85 miles Belfast ->Portrush
400->500 miles = 2 x 200->250 rideouts
85 miles Portrush to Belfast
You getting home from Ferry terminal (Cairnryan?)

Usual friday night grub is a chippy/fast food or suit yersel.
Prob eat out sat and sunday night so roughly £20 per night.

Roughly budget about £400 (according to DBD) should sort all costs incl fuel for the weekend.

Just note some of the rideout will be in the republic so insurance / breakdown cover would need to cover european rides...etc


Plan B - There isn't one!

Please post up if you are interested.

Cheers
Rosco

ps. If folks are heading up this way to get the ferry then I will be able to offer accommodation on the Thursday and or Monday night in Sunny Shotts. Should be able to kick the family out to make some room

Right can we have a master list drawn up..I'm speaking to possible accommodation ppl and i need a rough idea of numbers so i can provisionally book the bed space..
Ferry prices seem to be still the same as in Rosco's post.. leaving friday and returing monday is working out at 80quid.. accomm is looking to be roughly 20quid a night..

A wee update.
Routes are just about finalised. Major thanks to Ulstwarrior(John) for his assistance and local knowledge.
It's looking like its gonna be a cracker!!
Will Suss out insurance/breakdown cover info for our little jaunt through to the republic and post details back up soon.

Could possibly be up for this if I'm not trussed up like a turkey due to this torn rotator cuff, seeing a surgeon on 15th May, so will know better after that. Might there be room at the inn?

Tel, I'll find room for ya buddy. Hope you can make it.

Hope you get some tlc for your trc Terry.

You're more old turkey than cold turkey so hope it doesn't keep you away for too long.

Cheers
Rosco

Cheers Dave, Will let you Know the outcome after 15/5 Tel

Rosco wrote:Wee Ferry £5 - NI to Southern

What we doing here, crossing a river, or is that the cost to use the conveniences on EasyFerry ?

terry lees wrote:Cheers Dave, Will let you Know the outcome after 15/5 Tel

You had the procedure Tes?

SteveCat wrote:

Rosco wrote:Wee Ferry £5 - NI to Southern

What we doing here, crossing a river, or is that the cost to use the conveniences on EasyFerry ?

Wee Ferry no longer running i'm afraid, route has been changed to suit

Hi Dave, Seen the surgeon this morning and good news is that the shoulder is operable. I will be put on the waiting list, and would expect the procedure in about 3 months. I have however said that I will take any cancellation, even the the day before, so of course cannot commit fully to the wee mick. But if there are any last minute cancellations and the op has'nt happened please count me in. Had a couple of glasses of red, so hope the above makes sense.

Excellent Tes. Having a wee glass meself!
Keep us posted on any op developments.

Nice one Terry hope you can make it, give Tim a nudge, i think he wants to come also...

Davie

That's positive news Tes.

The big baby I am, I'll be on a ferry instead of seeing my consultant about an op!

Will be good to see you if the op isn't done before BM.

terry lees wrote:Hi Dave, Seen the surgeon this morning and good news is that the shoulder is operable. I will be put on the waiting list, and would expect the procedure in about 3 months. I have however said that I will take any cancellation, even the the day before, so of course cannot commit fully to the wee mick. But if there are any last minute cancellations and the op has'nt happened please count me in. Had a couple of glasses of red, so hope the above makes sense.

And you slag me off for patching up my thundercat.
Bet you're glad you held onto your swan vestas in case you need to light up a hamlet.

Try not to break anything else Terry and hopefully we'll see you in Ireland.
Cheers
Rosco

Yea, But your cat's only about 15 years old (tho it looks more like 50)and you know how old (ancient) I am. However thanks for all the good wishes I'll be there if I can.by the way Ross, things have gone awful quite on the rear suspension rebuild. The Swan Vesta's are poised!