On Jun 10, 5:08 pm, David F wrote:

On Jun 10, 1:16 pm, TimB wrote:

[snip]

Are you mad? Take the Thameslink.

No, not mad - just very heavy, awkward bags full of scuba diving
gear :-(

Aha, that does explain it!


Also, the return leg gets in to Gatwick at 1.30am, so the car will
definitely be handy at that time of the morning.

At that time I'd have no hesitation in saying there'd be no problem at
all in driving the direct 'straight line' route via the A24 through
south London - definitely no need to take any evasive action then!


Thanks for all the advice. I think setting off at 7am, or slightly
before, and go by the A12, M11, M25. It does over double the distance
(start N1 3DS), but it ought to be more dependable.

It's all rather too late now, but the knowledgeable reply from
"neverwas" / "R" does rather favour the Blackwall Tunnel then A20
route over a long trip heading out the wrong way on the M11 before
righting oneself. I see you're close enough to the Blackwall Tunnel
approach road, and I can't see there being a big problem in cutting
through Hackney to get onto it early in the morning - though see
neverwas's comments of 6pm versus 7pm starts! (Incidentally, I'm
intrigued - you're just inside LB Islington, but offhand I wouldn't
think of it as being in Islington 'proper' - perhaps DB Town, but
maybe that starts the other side of Southgate Road? I'm always
interested to hear the local views on such matters, but apols if this
just comes across as being nosey!)


Thanks chaps - if it were just me going, I'd be on the train with hand
luggage... damn the wife!

But enjoy the snorkelling!