On Jan 3, 1:42*am, "Jack Taylor" wrote:
max wrote:
How was it? I saw a fantastic fireworks scenery as i watched on TV the
following days..
they say it was overcrowded.. was it really like that?

Give me your opinion..

It's usually a complete shambles. I doubt that this year was different (but
yes, the fireworks are good).

We used to go down for the fireworks every year until three years ago, when
(despite leaving the pub at 23:15) we were unable to get any nearer the
river than the Strand, at the Aldwych end. In previous years we'd always
managed to stand along the Embankment near to Hungerford Bridges.

The year prior to our final visit we left the Embankment as usual,
attempting to avoid Trafalgar Square and the masses by heading via Scotland
Yard and Whitehall up to Hyde Park and Edgware Road. However, on reaching
Whitehall we were herded back up and into Trafalgar Square (no-one being
allowed to head *away* from the busy areas) - the very place that we were
trying to avoid!

Hmm. Police trapping people in ways that are likely to lead to
trouble, instead of letting them disperse, seems to be a bit of a
common theme these days.

Luckily we were able to duck around the main flow of people
and escaped down Pall Mall and into Piccadilly. For some reason those in
control seemed to be obsessed with the idea that everyone wanted to go to
Charing Cross and were forcing everyone in that direction. It was utter
mayhem, with very little movement of the crowd due to the volume of people.

After two years of that - mainly caused by the sheer numbers and the
inability of the authorities to disperse them sensibly - we gave up. It's
easier to watch the fireworks from the comfort of an armchair, without the
worry of missing last trains home.

I shouldn't encourage others to do it, in case it gets too popular,
but till a few years ago at least, Lambeth North remained open, was a
short walk from Westminster Bridge and was not overcrowded. Had a
perfect view from outside the Shell Centre and no trouble at all
getting back to the station and into a train.