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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we should avoid London right now?

655 replies

StayorgoLDN · 13/10/2023 09:23

Due to visit London in the next few weeks.

Anxious with Palestinian protests and so forth in the news. I don’t want to be near that with young children, and worried that it may escalate to some sort of attack.

We are not Jews, but presuming as the U.K. is supporting Israel that we’ll all be fair game ie there might be an attack/bomb somewhere prominent to send a message to gov.

Have been in London during terrorist attacks before and I’d rather avoid.

AIBU to consider rescheduling our family trip to next year?

OP posts:
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17
Stopwatching · 04/04/2024 08:52

StayorgoLDN · 04/04/2024 00:27

👋 Hi all, I am over it.

DH and I have booked to go back minus kids during the week and I’m happy enough with that.

Hope you have a great time @StayorgoLDN

Original poster
StayorgoLDN · 04/04/2024 00:27

👋 Hi all, I am over it.

DH and I have booked to go back minus kids during the week and I’m happy enough with that.

OP posts:
RienDeRienNon · 03/04/2024 23:09

Ramalangadingdong · 10/11/2023 10:36

If your tickets cost that much it suggests that you went to a very popular (sold out?) show as ticket prices follow market demand. There is no way that a box office wouldn’t be able to re- sell tickets to a sold out West End show on your behalf. If someone in box office told you that they were not doing their job properly.

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This is a dodgy thread, has to be!

TeenLifeMum · 03/04/2024 22:45

I was in London three weeks ago. The vibe was amazing, so friendly. Walking through China town a busker was singing Adele and a group of spectators were singing along. We walked on by but when she got to the chorus literally the whole street joined in as they walked and then we all were looking at each other laughing. It was actually a much happier London than I’ve seen for a while. There were protesters but they were respectful and peaceful (apart from the Julian Assange crazies who were a bit obnoxious, but still not threatening.)

RienDeRienNon · 03/04/2024 22:45

Saturday is usually protest day in the city for any number of causes, there’s usually something going on. That’s the day to avoid central routes around Trafalgar and Hyde Park. But there’s tonnes to do elsewhere. For example, Greenwich is pretty cool and you wouldn’t see a sniff of a protest.

RienDeRienNon · 03/04/2024 22:41

I don’t feel unsafe. It’s business as usual I’d say. Worse thing is the crappy trains which keep going down.

Stopwatching · 03/04/2024 22:35

DeepBiscuit · 03/04/2024 22:34

It's not the Ukraine. Its just Ukraine.

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Soz

DeepBiscuit · 03/04/2024 22:34

Stopwatching · 03/04/2024 21:18

Probably planning their next family outing to the Ukraine

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It's not the Ukraine. Its just Ukraine.

Stopwatching · 03/04/2024 21:18

DeepBiscuit · 03/04/2024 21:05

I doubt the OP is still here, especially after some of the comments on this thread.

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Probably planning their next family outing to the Ukraine

DeepBiscuit · 03/04/2024 21:05

Stopwatching · 03/04/2024 20:37

Don’t start the OP off again. 😊

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I doubt the OP is still here, especially after some of the comments on this thread.

Stopwatching · 03/04/2024 20:37

2Rebecca · 03/04/2024 20:13

Zombie!!!

Don’t start the OP off again. 😊

2Rebecca · 03/04/2024 20:13

Zombie!!!

gilgamyth · 03/04/2024 18:42

DrinkingMyWaterMindingMyBiz · 15/10/2023 09:01

How are mumsy’s comments anymore anti-Semitic than those upthread questioning why the protests weren’t calling out Hamas are anti-Palestinian (or anti-Islam)? Both have questioned whether or not people in Britain are going to condemn either Israel or Hamas for their horrific war crimes. Yet when the focus is Israel, it’s anti-Semitic? Make it make sense.

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It sounds like you're trying to justify those comments.

RubyRoseVioletLillyJasminePeach · 14/11/2023 18:57

roarrfeckingroar · 13/10/2023 10:23

@DottieMoon because pro Israeli protests won't involve threats to the public, burning of flags and masked rioters

There was a peace march at the weekend op. 800,000 people protesting the killing of innocent people.

If your autistic family members hate crowds, maybe stay out of London.

RubyRoseVioletLillyJasminePeach · 14/11/2023 18:53

It's fine here. Totally normal. But if you feel anxious just don't come op.

Original poster
StayorgoLDN · 12/11/2023 21:27

@AntiquePancakes one of my kids is a huge theatre fan the other mad into dinosaurs so it was a win win. Short of going to New York you can’t get the quality of shows/museums elsewhere.

Honestly, we were accommodated SO well everywhere, no queues whatsoever, carers tickets so both of us could afford to go to everything with kids and support them, the British museum now even has a sensory map which makes things easier.

As I say you have to plan in advance and make sure access is available, but it’s really brilliant now.

With all that support the kids can engage with what they love, and rightly so.

If your daughter doesn’t have a diagnostic report/DLA it’s so worth fighting to get. We’ve found it has opened the doors to a better life, equality, and protection against discrimination.

OP posts:
AntiquePancakes · 12/11/2023 21:16

DD is an adult now so it was a while ago, but she would never in a million years go to London, even now

Original poster
StayorgoLDN · 12/11/2023 21:07

@AntiquePancakes @Photographsandmemories

Do you use the access arrangements many places provide? Or not have DLA and/or the autism so severe that it makes little odds?

OP posts:
Crapsummer2023 · 12/11/2023 19:10

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Photographsandmemories · 12/11/2023 19:07

My daughter is autistic too and I fully hear ya, Antique. Never again

Original poster
StayorgoLDN · 12/11/2023 18:35

@AntiquePancakes

Provided you have medical reports and evidence to get DLA this will lead to you never having to queue ever again.

For everywhere you go you should get a free pass to avoid queues entirely, concessionary tickets, free carer tickets, the works.

Your daughter (and anyone accompanying) will get fast tracked through airports often with a personal assistant and prioritised to go on the plane first, free choice of seat.

We got ubers from airport to hotel, when we were moving hotel, when we left to return to airport. And whenever we needed to go anywhere that wasn’t within walking distance. It was cheaper and less stressful than trains/tube for all of us.

It is a bit of a faff to organise everything, for instance there is not one pass for all, you have to contact each individual place you are due to attend (or at least look at their accessibility policy) from the airport to the theatre to the museum, zoo, whatever… there may be a specific scheme or application form process you need to go through for each child/disabled person which may need to be completed weeks ahead, or you may just have to note what evidence of disability to bring for whatever place.

(note this was part of my anxiety for the trip - we have to plan and organise everything in advance to the letter, we can’t just reorganise on the day!!)

Especially in somewhere like London they are up to date with being accessible to people with disabilities, it is part of the attraction!!!!

OP posts:
AntiquePancakes · 12/11/2023 18:14

I'm not being funny but I think London is the worst place to go with autistic children (my DD is autistic)
The chaos, noise, crowds and chance of late trains, queues etc would not suit my daughter one bit.

Original poster
StayorgoLDN · 12/11/2023 17:54

@FordAnglia
yes the concierge, for being a lovely man, did dump us right in it. He also talked us out of the bus tour as said the traffic would be too bad. So we did a walking tour of our own!

I can deal with protest and I think it should be allowed, it’s the scale of it and the surrounding animosity from certain factions.

We originally from NI, now in Scotland. There have been protests where we are and when we’ve visited family. But wholly avoidable as we’ve just stayed at home.

@HappyMavis

Glad all is well. As I’ve said previously my fear wasn’t harm to me or family, I know that is vanishingly rare, but disruption leading to a waste of 3k. We won’t be on a trip like that again for another few years with other financial commitments.

OP posts:
SquirmOfEels · 12/11/2023 17:54

The biggest problem in central London yesterday was the utter traffic mayhem

ApolloandDaphne · 12/11/2023 17:49

I was in London over this weekend and didn't see even a sniff of trouble or a protest despite being in busy tourist places.