2012-05-13 - Oxford town and gown race

^ and if there's any left over, perhaps it would be a refreshing beverage for tired chimney sweeps?

@Bernie
do we have a figure on how many of us there'll be? just thinking if not all the drain rods are needed I won't bring them all on wednesday.

@hats
will you be ok to take my large postal tube on the train as i will have to schlep them back from Paddington

@chimney-sweeps
I'll be relying on a group-save, but just out of interest some of the train fares vary wildly, Oxford-Paddington:- 13:16 £22.40, 13:50 £8.00, 13:54 £10.50, 14:17 £22.40 it's mad I tell you, mad!

@Bernie
do we have a figure on how many of us there'll be? just thinking if not all the drain rods are needed I won't bring them all on wednesday.

@hats
will you be ok to take my large postal tube on the train as i will have to schlep them back from Paddington

@chimney-sweeps
I'll be relying on a group-save, but just out of interest some of the train fares vary wildly, Oxford-Paddington:- 13:16 £22.40, 13:50 £8.00, 13:54 £10.50, 14:17 £22.40 it's mad I tell you, mad!

Trying to nail numbers. If I speak sweetly to my Katy, we may be able to leave the rods with her, then I can deliver them back at the end of the summer term.

I am also hoping to tool everyone up with the rods and brushes for the journey (will have a bag of zip ties with me) so we can fend off the Locals as we roll into Oxford.

TEAM, do your best to get along on Wednesday or at the very least ping a PM with any queries/concerns that come to mind

No worries, I am sure you will have the courage and fortitude to suffer a cheeky little Japanese beer.

Will do, I'll call you when I'm out and check you're all still there.

Will do, I'll call you when I'm out and check you're all still there.

Wow, reminds me of the alleged News of the World shock headline.

*"LFGSS do ends early; no drinking, singing or lewd behaviour*".

These are the four shop bought chimney sweep brushes, thanks again Bearfoot.

We also have his 6 hand made brush heads, so we are good to go!

Will bring along on Wednesday, and distribute to all London riders.

I managed to copy it from the Oxford Mail. I will ask them if they have any other snaps, they might be willing to release to us.

Great - I'm away until tomorrow so will do some updating tomorrow. I can add the link to your celebrity moment at the very least!

@hats
will you be ok to take my large postal tube on the train as i will have to schlep them back from Paddington

@chimney-sweeps
I'll be relying on a group-save, but just out of interest some of the train fares vary wildly, Oxford-Paddington:- 13:16 £22.40, 13:50 £8.00, 13:54 £10.50, 14:17 £22.40 it's mad I tell you, mad!

Absolutely fine to take anything necessary on the train. As long as I have enough hands to carry my awesome Mary Poppins hat then I'm happy!

I don't understand train fares!

Absolutely fine to take anything necessary on the train. As long as I have enough hands to carry my awesome Mary Poppins hat then I'm happy!

I don't understand train fares!

Me too! But Mrs. Bernie does...

So, you bargain hunters, get on National Rail, Oxford, direct to London Paddingon, leaving 3:50, arrive 5;05, a mere £8, YES £8, to the smelly chimney sweeps, and fragrant Mary Poppins.

Get in before they sell out, or you will get a taste of my drain rod...

^ and if there's any left over, perhaps it would be a refreshing beverage for tired chimney sweeps?

it would be if I can work out the logistics of getting a crate of cider from the Oxford multistory car park to Oxford Parks ...

^^ ok, just looked up train fares/times. The £8 offer does still seem to be valid for the 16:37 train, arriving 17:58. Other trains are 15:50/£12, 15:56/£12, 16:16/£22.40

TBH, if others are interested, I'd rather get a group save and not have to get on a particular train. Who else is up for group save?

@Bernie
... also, how many (if any) drain rods do you need? I'd rather not schlep them all on Wednesday if not necessary

i'm booked on the 14.50.......£6.25 wiv a railcard

I'll be staying in Oxford for at least a night so won't need a train back.

@Bernie
... also, how many (if any) drain rods do you need? I'd rather not schlep them all on Wednesday if not necessary

The Magnificent 7, riding from London, and their respective pick up points, are as follows

1. Bernie - Tooting B'way .
   
2. Poots - Wandsworth
   
3. OLC - Tooting B'way
   
4. Tommmm - Ealing B'way
   
5. Almac68 - Ealing B'way
   
6. Cafewanda - Tooting B'way
   
7. Ian (Conker) - Ealing B'way
   
   

We have two maybes in the shape of Bearfoot and MountaingoatMatt, the priceless Hats on the train, and Joe Pablo and maybe a few more, waiting for us at Watlington with energy drinks and some food, and the hardy FOB in central Oxford, to guard the bikes.

I can cover the Tooting massive for brushes, so if you can cover off yourself, Tommm and Almac, I think we are sorted.

Poots and Cafewanda, will you need brushes? Very happy for you to travel as either sweeps or Mary Poppins, but if you can tell me if you are sweeping, I will bring a rod and brush with me on Wednesday, with a few cable ties for the frame.

I've updated the JustGIving page with the picture of Bernie from the Oxford Mail photoshoot, and also added in the link to the story. I can't believe how well the fundraising is going, it's so lovely to have so much support.

Do we need a list for groupsave?

I've updated the JustGIving page with the picture of Bernie from the Oxford Mail photoshoot, and also added in the link to the story. I can't believe how well the fundraising is going, it's so lovely to have so much support.

Do we need a list for groupsave?

H, my suggestion is simply to get an on line ticket for the princely sum of £8, but Mrs. Bernie will be travelling back to the smoke on the Oxford Tube, if you want to get a coach return? The consensus yesterday was that a single on the bus, and then a single for the rail return, was more expensive than there and back on the coach, and a drop off near Victoria was preferable to travelling home from Paddington.

Feel free to call the mobile if you want to discuss.

Oh, and tried to contact the charity to highlight our efforts, but all the staff seem to have either left, or be on maternity leave.

Very good call, think I might get a return by bus then. Victoria is much closer to home too.

That's annoying about the charity. If you want me to have a go at trying to contact them I'm happy to :)

Very good call, think I might get a return by bus then. Victoria is much closer to home too.

That's annoying about the charity. If you want me to have a go at trying to contact them I'm happy to :)

H, happy for you to contact them, but I suspect it will just wind you up.

Better to practice your singing and dancing, in advance of Wednesday's auditions.

Simon Cowell, eat your heart out.

Auditions?!?!

@ Bernie

Yes, I'm a sweep and yes, I would be pleased to take a brushandrod off your hands tomorrow. Lemme know much dinero I need to hand over first.

Auditions?!?!

@ Bernie

Yes, I'm a sweep and yes, I would be pleased to take a brushandrod off your hands tomorrow. Lemme know much dinero I need to hand over first.

No monies required missy, just a promise not to use the brush and rod on any Addision Lee drivers we encounter during the day.

Sorry Bernie, i need to pull out of this one, as i officially have no bike to ride as i sent my to get a replacement and it takes two weeks...sorry guys proper let down, have a good ride k?

I think I'm going to keep it Poppins!

Looking fwd to it!