HW: OFF: BritRail

[K Henderson]

Hi everyone...

I see that BritRail passes are not available for purchase in the UK.  (Does
anyone else think that's a little weird?)  So, I see that a four-day
SouthEast BritRail pass (2nd class adult), usable over an 8-day period is
$105.  Not so bad.  But if I arrive at Gatwick on Oct. 19 at 5:30 AM and
then spend two days in the 'Downs' and Canterbury and then two days in
London (for HW & Motorhead), I still need transport back to Gatwick for a
Monday morning flight (there's no 5-day southeast pass).  The train to
Gatwick I see I can get for $18 (via the same means as the BritRail pass),
but do I need to do that now?  (i.e., can I get an express train to Gatwick
from Victoria for $18 or UKP equiv. just by showing up there?).  I'd prefer
not to make up my mind about that now, as I *may* want to go to Gatwick
straight from the Academy Sun. night (and just nap at the terminal), and
(given the lateness of the hour) am not sure how to do that (i.e., what's
still running).

I am also assuming that the SouthEast pass will include all of the London
Tubes as well, is that right?

I can't really afford to even go to this stupid thing, but that $425
Columbus-Gatwick roundtrip ticket was too good to pass up.  I need to
conserve money big time!  I'm hoping to avoid paying for any single hotel
room for myself.  I can camp on the South/North Downs trails I figure for a
measly fiver, but in London I am hoping to find someone to take me in,
either native or other traveller that can share.  I will contribute what is
necessary to be 'legal', but I can be wasting $80 a night or whatever.
Email offlist if you wanna offer me a space.

Will there be any problem purchasing a MH ticket for Sunday, while there at
the BA box office Saturday night?  Or should I order that one online as well?

Are the 'floor' tickets and balcony tickets really firm...ie., do they
really not allow you access to the other part(s) of the Academy?  I'm on the
floor of course....I prefer to stand/move around whenever possible.

Grakkl (FAA)