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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be totally dreading the Olympics because I live in London

295 replies

labelwriter · 11/07/2012 08:59

I just am! Yesterday, I went to London Bridge to get to work and there was a practice for the Olympics and the whole station was in chaos and it was really shambolic. Last week I went to St James Park and most of it and the Mall was closed. It's going to add ages on to my journey. We have been told to cycle to work if we can but the bus lanes are to be closed so the VIP cars can use them and as i am sure anyone who cycles in central London will agree, this is going to cause lots of problems. Am sure the games themselves will be brilliant but it's the trying to get about in London bit I am dreading.

OP posts:
londonchick · 12/07/2012 09:14

Sorry, pressed post too soon!

Was going to say, still very happy to be here for a little piece of London history :-)

And here's hoping the travel network is completely fine!!

GlassofRose · 12/07/2012 18:05

A bus driver ferrying journalists from the Excel Centre to The Olympic stadium managed to get lost today... hilarious it's about 4 miles between them.

LordFlasheart · 12/07/2012 22:25

i commute from Greenwich to Westminster. I think its going to be difficult, much like when it snows and you cant even get on trains to get into central London, i expect. Not sure why everyone is saying couple of weeks disruption, we have been told this will continue until early September. I think taking a fully charged phone, a drink, and a good book on every journey is the answer :-)

theinets · 12/07/2012 22:35

Lol at all the whinging. If you live within a few miles of work get on your bike and cycle. Quick and fun. I do 20 miles a day.

pepperrabbit · 12/07/2012 22:42

LordFlasheart - you need to add flat shoes and a sense of humour to your list!
This evening a "person under a train" on the Jubilee Line caused chaos, I'm not really looking forward to the trip to Canary Wharf I have to say.
But I do like the buzz Grin

GlassofRose · 12/07/2012 22:46

Lol at theinets...

I'm sure some people can manage cycling 20 miles a day. However, I like to be presentable when I make it to work, some how sweating on a bike in the rain wouldn't make that possible.

theinets · 12/07/2012 23:13

Many workplaces have showera now, mine does. People may not know if theres do, perhaps find out. Or change at your local gym, incorporate into your fitness routine.

GlassofRose · 12/07/2012 23:20

Even if my workplace had showers It wouldn't make a difference.

I have long wavy hair that takes an hour and a half to dry... I only shower of a night because of this and I have a bath in the morning. Shower caps are absolute pants.
I don't want to cycle to work with my carefully ironed clothes in a bag... they'd most likely be screwed up.
I don't want to wait til I get to work to put my make up on either...
Since I get up at 6am to be presentable and on time for work I'd have to pretty much get up during the night to "incorporate my fitness routine"

Anyway... if you shower at work, do you have a wash or something at home? I couldn't go out in public dirty and get clean at the office... and waste of time doing it twice?

Sorry, cycling to work just doesn't sound doable unless you have mega short hair, don't wear make up and don't mind creased clothes.

Pandemoniaa · 12/07/2012 23:56

...they have removed all the coffee shops from outside London Bridge, which is very annoying first thing!

WTAF? That's beyond unreasonable, that is. In fact, it's downright inhumane.

MsAverage · 13/07/2012 00:16

What a splendid, healthy and deeply satisfying choir of British moans! Well done, everyone! Carry on!

nailak · 13/07/2012 00:39

has anyone mentioned the many people in newham whose rents have gone up considerably and have had to find alternative accomodation due to landlords wanting to rent out their properties for Olympics?

They are not worried about getting tenants after Olympics as their is shortage of housing not shortage of tenants.

The schools closing earlier.

The children's centres, nurseries etc not being allowed to go on trips by public transport or coach during summer.

families being told not to take their kids out anywhere for the whole 8 week summer holidays. at least not anywhere by bus or train or car.

the businesses in newham not being able to take deliveries for the summer during the day. which will impact particularly on small businesses which are family run etc.

people not being able to do their shopping, or get shopping delivered. considering they cant use car or bus i am not sure what they are supposed to do?

the whole of newham being parking permit only.

nailak · 13/07/2012 00:40

actually i live in Newham, and I cannot see how the Olympics benefits me or anyone I know.

If you can enlighten me, please feel free.

BBMs · 13/07/2012 01:35

God, I live near Bromley and have to make my way into Victoria to get to work in w10... Cant even begin to imagine what the journey will look like!
Got tickets for some of the events and they recommend to add 2hrs to the usual time :S

mummyof3kids · 13/07/2012 03:06

Im in zone 3 (West London) and have been kept awake at night with them marking the olympic lanes on the roads! Traffic will be chaotic when they are in operation. I will probably avoid central and East London for duration of games as far as is feasibly possible. At moment I am SAHM, but when I worked as Head Hunter for recruitment company, I walked around London wherever possible. With apps available on most phones, getting around by foot is relatively easy. You will be surprised at how quick it is to get across London and bonus of seeing things you never normally get to see. The majority of London is affected in some way due to lanes being dedicated to Olympic traffic and changes, but it is an exciting time. I just hope the sun starts to shine....

tomatoplantproject · 13/07/2012 04:28

I'd be thrilled about the Olympics... It's going to be really exciting BUT I'm 24 weeks pg with SPD that is getting worse. I work in piccadilly and just can't work from home for 3 weeks. The commute hurts as it is without the extra chaos and waiting times.

ElephantsCanRemember · 13/07/2012 06:16

Well I'm looking forward to the Olympics But then I live in the midlands and will watch from the comfort of my own home. Grin
I think a lot of the issues raised are very valid, and really do feel for people who are going to be so affected for the 2 weeks, especially when you hear about elderly day centres being closed for the duration etc.
But I am sorry, I actually did snort at the poster who is moaning that she can't cycle to work because her hair takes too long to dry, her clothes will be crumpled and she needs to put make up on. Put your hair up, use a travel iron and do your make up in the work loo! Grin I think people will have many problems during those 2 weeks but not being able to do your hair surely shouldn't be one of them!

GlassofRose · 13/07/2012 06:41

Elephants

My moan about lack of cycling to work was in a reply to the poster directly above me who said people should cycle to work because she does 20miles a day.

I don't cycle to work - I was just pointing out why the majority of people don't do it. They want to be presentable.

How rude of you to talk about my post like I'm an idiot. Maybe I should say "did you see the poster who can't read the thread properly and then makes fun of other people" Grin

ElephantsCanRemember · 13/07/2012 06:43

I DID read the thread properly. I read about the genuine concerns people have, and I think they are valid. Not having dry hair isn't valid IMHO.

ElephantsCanRemember · 13/07/2012 06:45

Oh and I know many people who cycle to work and are in jobs where thay need to be presentable. Not stopped them.

GlassofRose · 13/07/2012 07:07

You're so lovely :)

I don't recall moaning about not having a hair dryer... I said It wasn't realistic to have a shower at work in the morning considering the fact it takes an hour and a half for it to dry.

I'm sure this may insult a few, so sorry but I've never met somebody who cycles to work who is presentable...

GlassofRose · 13/07/2012 07:09

By the way if I cycled to work it would take me an hour and ten minutes according to the route planner. So your suggesting I pack my clothes and a travel iron, do my make up in a staff loo and scurf my hair up like a school girl? Ridiculous!

GlassofRose · 13/07/2012 07:11

nailak -

You're right they don't benefit anybody of the area.

A lady I know with two children was given her notice by her landlord so he can rent for the Olympics!

difficultpickle · 13/07/2012 07:15

I commute into London and live near one of the Olympic venues. My entire journey will be a nightmare (according to all the 'hotspots' I travel through). My office has suggested we travel in earlier to avoid all games traffic. Not sure ds would welcome being dropped at holiday club two hours before it opens!

ElephantsCanRemember · 13/07/2012 07:20

Shock a whole 70minutes to cycle to work? Shock You're right, that is completely unacceptable! Far better to moan about your hair Grin because that it so much more logical Wink
Though to be honest i wouldn't be thrilled about cycling that long to work then having to do a full day and then cycle home again. But you know what, I would say that rather than moaning about my hair. Hey ho, takes all sort.

ElephantsCanRemember · 13/07/2012 07:22

bisjo I have every sympathy for anyone in that situation. If you use childcare I imagine it will be a nightmare.
Hope you manage to sort it one way or another.