UK travel tips?

[Michael W Blackman]

and remember - over there - red light means go and green light means go faster - If you aren't driving under the influence - get off the road you are endangering the other motorists - you need to drink at least 12 pints before hitting the streets.....
an excellent way to meet interesting people and get free cups of tea is to rear end another motorist - head ons are even better as you are often offered a scone or two
that is scone to rhyme with bone in case you were wonderng



In a message dated Fri, 3 May 2002 02:15:47  AEDT, Gerald Whitworth <gerald.whitworth at PARTHUS.COM> writes:

> I can identify with your concern.
>
> Being a Brit, the US roads used to scare me to death.  It wasn't just
> driving on the wrong side of the road, there were other aspects, like being
> able to turn right at a red light.  Pedestrian walkways were also a problem,
> when the green man was indicating walk it would also be green for traffic.
> In the UK when its green for pedestrians its red for traffic.  The first
> time I drove in the states (in Los Angeles) I was waiting to turn right at a
> junction.  There was traffic crossing in all directions and the guy behind
> was honking the horn to get me to hurry up.  So after carefully looking
> left, right, and straight over, and making sure there was no other cars
> around, I set off and turned right.  Just as some people stepped of the
> sidewalk right into my part.  How I didn't take them out I'll never know.
>
> So in the UK we have our revenge.  Hire a car at Heathrow airport.  Its the
> best way to get around the UK.  Remember to drive on the left.  Remember
> most UK cars are not automatics (use the clutch and gear lever).  And the
> first obstacle you will come to is a roundabout.  As most Americans are not
> familiar with this road concept it can be quite daunting and a challenge.
> Basically, put your right foot to the floor, close your eyes, and hope for
> the best.  If your religious, praying is also an option worth considering.
> Oh and another tip.  Don't turn left until the light changes from red to
> green.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Gerald
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Majka [mailto:jmajka2 at COMCAST.NET]
> Sent: Wednesday 01 May 2002 15:45
> To: BOC-L at LISTSERV.SPC.EDU
> Subject: OFF: UK travel tips?
>
>
> So I've now got my plane ticket to London for this upcoming Hawk event, but
> I'm wondering what an American ought to do about the travel situation.  Is
> public transportation widely and easily available in England?  Should I rent
> a car?  The idea of zipping down the "wrong" side of the road makes me fear
> accidentally driving by instinct (i.e. the USA way) and getting into some
> sort of fearsome accident.... has anyone else been in this travel situation
> and how did you solve it?
> John Majka
> jmajka2 at comcast.net