After all that I shouldn't mention the weather; heavy rain and 19c.
Ticket Information
Tickets are now on general sale at the SUFC ticket office priced at £18 Adults, £12 Seniors and £8 Juniors, £4 under 10s and under 6s go free. If you pay on the day £2 is added to the above prices.
We have been given an initial allocation of 500 seats in the Cumberland Building Society Stand. Although we took 460 fans last year this was at the climax of the season Carlisle is a long, long way and one for the connoisseur. We are likely to take a lot less this time.
Coach
Still time for late bookings on both these excellent services.
For the latest news and prices and pick-up points for the supporters club coaches click on www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/default.asp?page_id=543
While for an alternative trip keep up to date with SoL at www.theshrimpers-online.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=8.
Road
Approx. 340 miles, 6 hours.
Straightforward actually (hopefully), if long! M1, M6, leaving at Junction 43, then at roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A69 (signposted Carlisle), at traffic signals turn right into Thirlwell Gardens (see map below).
The club car park (cost £1.50) can be found by taking the first right immediately after Brunton Park into Victoria Place and then turn first right onto St Aidans Road. Otherwise street parking.
I'll say it again, I despair of the Railways! Carlisle is a long way whichever way you do it, and in theory Train should be the easier option at least you can get up, walk around, eat and drink as opposed to be restricted in car or coach. However the times of the trains are very poor and I would NOT encourage anyone to try and do a day return to Carlisle, the timings are bad and you are likely to get stranded.
FARES
Originally the fares started at £31.40 return from London some 12 weeks ago but now they have shot up to £82.00 return! These are "Advance" tickets with seat reservations on trains but you are only allowed to use those trains.
TIMES
Outward
To get the ticket at that price you have to use the following trains:
(Trains leave Southend Vic or Central about 5.00ish)
London Kings Cross 07.10 Leeds 09.35
Leeds 09.47 Carlisle 12.15 Price £36.50 single
Return
17.20 Carlisle arrives Newcastle 18.55
19.06 Newcastle 19.06 arrives London Kings Cross at 22.17 Price £45.50 single
RETURN PRICE £82
THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT THIS ONLY GIVES YOU 11 MINUTES FOR YOUR RETURN CONNECTION IN NEWCASTLE, MISS THIS AND YOU WON'T GET BACK TO LONDON TILL 10.47 THE NEXT MORNING, still saves on a room!
If this hasn't put you off I suggest you go and see your Doctor or Tickets can be bought on line at www.nationalrail.co.uk or by phone or asking at your local station.
Air
Outward
AIR by EASYJET
Leave Stansted 08.25 arrive Newcastle 09.25
TRAIN
Newcastle 10.24 arrive Carlisle 11.45 or
Newcastle 11.22 arrive Carlisle 12,54 or
Newcastle 12.39 arrive Carlisle 13.59
Return
TRAIN
Carlisle 17.20 arrives Newcastle 18.55 or
Carlisle 18.18 arrives Newcastle 19.46 or
Carlisle 19.33 arrives Newcastle 21.01
AIR by EASYJET
Leave Newcastle 21.45 arrive Stansted 22.50
PRICES
Air fares were £19.99 each way but have now gone up to £36.99 each way (bookable on the easyjet website). Train fares Newc to Carlisle £13.40 (can be booked in advance), so you could do it for £87.38 (plus transfers)
Cheaper flights are still avaiable to Glasgow at £14.99 each way with Ryan Air but the last flight back is 20.10 which may be a problem in getting after the game as the train is due into Glasgow Central at 19.27.
Not the easiest of journeys
Thanks to Kynson for use of the following map however if your are staying in and around Carlisle for the weekend or your getting in early and have a few hours to spare click on below and read Kynson's full info of what to do.
www.kynson.org.uk/RIOA/club/ground/index.htm
If just a couple of hours to spare TLG's own pub crawl is the one for you.
www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW8&id=405406
How to get to Brunton Park
