Is it mad in london?
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
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Here's the odd thing about London at the moment. Because of the very strict rules on Olympic branding, using the rings or even the world Olympic, you can walk down most streets - even Kings Road where we are - and you wouldn't know the Games were on! No posters in the shops allowed (except at Lloyds and McDonald's) etc.
#33
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Europe
Programs: BAEC, SAS EBS, Miles&More
Posts: 342
After the peace and quiet of Central London yesterday the Westfield shopping centre next to the Olympic Park was a bit of a nightmare. The rain drove everybody inside and there was even a queue to get into the Olympic store in John Lewis. Pretty relaxed in the park itself although there weren't loads of places to hide from the rain.
#34
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
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Posts: 13,611
Is it mad in london?
Well, I was dreading the commute this morning (it was one of the "warning" days for Kings X) but it was an absolute breeze. Plenty seats on the train, and, although I tend to cycle on back roads anyway, I set a new personal record of train-to-desk (Aldgate way) in 19 minutes. Bradley Wiggins, eat your heart out.
Wouldn't like to have been on 4 wheels around Aldgate, though... And fingers crossed for the return home!
Wouldn't like to have been on 4 wheels around Aldgate, though... And fingers crossed for the return home!
#35
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New York
Programs: BA, LH, VS, Hyatt, SPG
Posts: 3,813
So far so good. Journey to Green Park this morning was painless. But we'll see how things go in the evening peak.
Also, the athletic events in the Olympic Stadium don't start until Friday so the Olympic Park will be considerably busier from then.
Also, the athletic events in the Olympic Stadium don't start until Friday so the Olympic Park will be considerably busier from then.
#36
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott, AAdvantage, United, Club Carlson
Posts: 1,687
What happens when you show up to get the tickets? Do they leave them at will call somewhere? Ask for a resident ID or can I use my US drivers license?
#38
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 199
For anyone who is out and about in Central London it is definitely worth checking out all the various countries "Olympic Houses". Clearly these are largely promotional in nature; but having visited a couple yesterday, I can vouch that there can be lots of interesting stuff going on and the occasional freebie.
Here's a map that shows most of the locations (red pins):
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msi...42946,0.114155
Here's a map that shows most of the locations (red pins):
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msi...42946,0.114155
#39
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
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Posts: 12,093
I was a Tate Modern, and near London Bridge yesterday and the tube/streets were fine - more tourists and people with Olympic passes - but perfectly acceptable.
#40
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canterbury, UK
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Tube from Central London to LHR was pretty quiet this morning and the airport is less busy than normal too by the looks of it.
Sitting in GC in T3 and it's pretty quiet in here, apart from the discrete Olympic coverage with the ever dishy Ian Thorpe commenting on events
Sitting in GC in T3 and it's pretty quiet in here, apart from the discrete Olympic coverage with the ever dishy Ian Thorpe commenting on events
#41
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Is it mad in london?
Quiet again today, but be aware that a fire at Leyton has been severely disrupting Central Line services to/from St Ratford.
#42
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 2,080
Tube from Central London to LHR was pretty quiet this morning and the airport is less busy than normal too by the looks of it.
Sitting in GC in T3 and it's pretty quiet in here, apart from the discrete Olympic coverage with the ever dishy Ian Thorpe commenting on events
Sitting in GC in T3 and it's pretty quiet in here, apart from the discrete Olympic coverage with the ever dishy Ian Thorpe commenting on events
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
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Hello from BT Live in Hyde Park!
It is busy but not completely insane.
We used the Javelin train from St Pancras to Stratford ... very painless and took 6 minutes!
We will see how Wembley is tonight!
It is busy but not completely insane.
We used the Javelin train from St Pancras to Stratford ... very painless and took 6 minutes!
We will see how Wembley is tonight!
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
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It seems that many many people have got out of London for the duration of the Games so it's surprisingly quiet in central London, outside the tourist areas.
Travel on the roads seems to be more variable than usual. Generally the traffic is fairly light and often the Olympic Lanes are off - the traffic is then far faster than normal. However, where they've blocked roads to accommodate Olympic Lanes, or where they are switched on, then traffic is hell. So it's doubly difficult to guess journey times.
Travel on the roads seems to be more variable than usual. Generally the traffic is fairly light and often the Olympic Lanes are off - the traffic is then far faster than normal. However, where they've blocked roads to accommodate Olympic Lanes, or where they are switched on, then traffic is hell. So it's doubly difficult to guess journey times.