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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!

65 replies

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 12/08/2017 11:07

***
Welcome!

  • Do you fancy a (virtual) fun day out?
  • All ages
  • Your interactive input needed: ideas/ pics/ suggestions of what we could add or improve upon...

So far, we have:

- Various vehicles (see pics in 2nd post below) to suit personal tastes
(including sedate and quiet/ singalong/ loud and raucous party bus (no discrimination from us, though: decibel-lovers [incl. metal heads/ extreme punk/ electronicore etc]. get your own 100% soundproof section...we want you too)/ family-friendly/ dog-and-pet friendly/ dog-and-pet free/ mixture of a few for the brave ).

- Return day-trip to seaside? And/ or other places voted on by group?
(Mablethorpe very popular!
Somewhere on a county border for Devon vs Cornwall scones battle was also in the running).

  • Coach Singalong Playlist: ongoing. Your suitable(!) nominations welcome - any genre, any era, must have melody for group singing.
  • On-board Music and Entertainments Directors
(includes dramatic readings/ poetry for the quieter...drinking games for the rowdy).

Will C&P list so far, from other thread, when get time.

Add-ons definitely include:

  1. STRICTLY ADULTS ONLY GLAMPING (yurts/ luxury bedding/ wood-fired hot tubs/ campfire entertainment (plus party field well away from light sleepers) / on-site masseur/ chef...and possible excursions to assist hassled fellow MNers attempting to organise CFHens). Wink
  1. ADJOINING FAMILY-FRIENDLY GLAMPING (as above, minus hen party element. Added child-appropriate activities/ all baby and toddler equipment provided/ bedtime story sessions etc...)
  1. REGULAR NOFRILLS CAMPING_,
For those who prefer a more basic tent...even erect your own, if that's what floats your boat. (Decent waterproofing and top-notch 'facilities' guaranteed). Those accommodating pets to be safely distanced away from non-animal types.

- Coach Trip (and camping/ Glamping) ticket price: FREE!
(That's right: it costs you nothing. Nada. Zero. And entitles you to complimentary, delicious refreshments provided by talented MNers (and a bottle of Guinness, to boot).
Added regional food/ drink with pictures a bonus.
A benign eye will be turned to sneaky, stashed booze for the bad influences at the back...as long as not disruptive to other passengers.
(Party bus: anything within reason goes; like-minded souls safely contained together, and rules made accordingly BY YOU!).

  • Inclusive policy.
  • All vehicles modified to be wheelchair accessible, and are induction-looped. We will do our best to adapt to unmet needs.
  • All vehicles have on-board loo/ make frequent 'comfort stops'.
  • Children's fun bus(es) (see pic) staffed by kindly, highly qualified Nannies, familiar with additional needs and disabilities.
On-board sensory room. Thus all parents can HAVE A BREAK, TOO. Special pass entitles them to hop between whichever vehicles they may choose, child-free...imagine.

A few reminders
This Coach Trip is an off-shoot from:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2990400-New-neighbour-using-my-private-garden?pg=1
(and 9, yes, count them, 9, subsequent threads: summary/ shortcuts:
trello.com/b/Mh00lwZH/the-cfns-tale-of-the-listed-building

but intended to work mainly as a standalone idea, equally accessible to newcomers completely unfamiliar.
PLEASE NOTE, HOWEVER, WHILST CONTINUING THE FUN, SUPPORTIVE, IMAGINATIVE, WARM ATMOSPHERE, THIS NEW "COACH TRIP" THREAD IS NOT A TAAT. STRICTLY NOT THE APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR DISCUSSION OF/ SPECULATION ABOUT PEOPLE OR CIRCUMSTANCES RELEVANT TO THOSE 10 THREADS...MNHQ WILL DELETE SUCH POSTS.

The Coach Management (one seriously terrifying, humourless jobsworth and her clipboard) reserves the right to eject from the vehicle(s) (or at least strap to the roof rack/ lock in the luggage compartment) any PITAs intent on ruining it for the rest of us. It's lighthearted FUN, people! Just one tiny corner of MN...you're free to explore the rest of it and leave us to our delusions. Smile

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Housemum · 12/08/2017 23:58

marilyn thank you for posting the Divine Comedy video! A favourite, seen then many times (and even met Neil outside London Palladium this year on his after show fag break!)

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 00:34

EggysMom,

How old is DS?

General rule would be that Kids' Fun Bus is only for use by children (under 12s) travelling with their parent/guardian actually on the Coach Trip in person too.
(See answer to JustHappy).

So you'd probably have to sacrifice the decorating. Smile

However, we attempt to meet needs: if you want well-deserved r&r, and your son needs more support/ a lot of support, what about you in next seat to JustHappy (Posh Coach) and him (and others in similar position) with a 1-to-1 (Autism-savvy, in his case; tailored to relevant needs for others) trained support worker, and access to a sensory or quiet compartment etc?

What do you think? Any ideas for improving provision?
(Anyone with first-hand experience is welcome to join the advisory team too!).

Whilst on the subject of age:

I was thinking 14 as a cut-off minimum age for travelling as an entirely solo passenger on the Day Trip, and 16 as a minimum age for the unaccompanied camping option...but that does open up considerations about safeguarding etc.

And what about any 13yr olds travelling: with parent on trip, as they're not yet 14...but keen to hang out with peers and too old for kids' bus cut-off of 12.

Hmm. What do the rest of you think?
Maybe a couple of youth workers keeping an eye on things in sections for 13-16yr olds behind Family Coach?
Special, purpose-designed, supervised 'Teen Coach', with adjoining quiet room?

Bloody Hell, it's a minefield!

OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 00:55

Making an executive decision here: going to post a few links from the Playlist to on-screen lyrics videos. Someone's got to stem the Wurzel love!!

If it's against any MN rules, I'm sure we'll get a gentle reminder and will stop. I can't seem to find details anywhere.

"Hit The Road, Jack" - Ray Charles

"On The Road Again" - Willie Nelson

"Build Me Up, Buttercup" - The Foundations

(Will continue tomorrow, if those aren't removed).

OP posts:
user7841794168 · 13/08/2017 01:02

Can I come along, with Big Country singing 'In a Big Country' as we drive across Canada?

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 01:05

House,
Ooh, lucky you. I've got a soft spot for him and his humour.

OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 01:12

user...,

Yes, yes and yes. (Canada might be on the next itinerary, though, unless we employ time travel?).
It's a big country, I hear...Wink

Coach Trip Singalong Playlist

"In A Big Country", Big Country"

OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 12:53

Coach Trip Singalong Playlist (contd. from page 1)
(all videos include on-screen lyrics)

"I'm A Believer", The Monkees

"I Will Survive", Gloria Gaynor

"(I've Had) The Time Of My Life", Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 13:29

Brighton

Any MNers near there? Was thinking it might be a great destination, as offers all things to all people. Camping/ Glamping in the East Sussex woods?

Other suggestions from PPs so far:

  1. Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire coast (We'll always have Mablethorpe...)
  1. Devon/ Cornwall (Esp. for scone wars)
[Anyone want to recommend your local, more specific, area, with a tempting reason why?]
  1. Wales (For castles/ scenery)
[Anyone want to recommend your local, more specific, area, with a tempting reason why?]

We need something to vote on. Grin
Alternatively, we can time-travel around a few of those places en route to destination?

Anarchy, Mummy, can you supply scrumpy? Ooh-arr.

OP posts:
FuzzyCustard · 13/08/2017 13:37

Ooh no, not Brighton please. Too many people. And pebbly beach.

I recommend the north coast of Cormwall...all that open space, fresh air, fab beaches, rock pools and surfing and scones with the cream on top!

smilingontheinside · 13/08/2017 15:40

Might I suggest an invisible coach for anyone under 18. Its not that I don't like kids, well maybe just a little, OK I have 2 that are grown up, spent years working with young people and now want to enjoy time as far away as possible from anyone under the legal age to consume alcohol!! Mind you am happy to have dogs/cats on board and happily have job of caring for them (even the messy stuff) and I can crochet or knit ponchos for everyone (not kids) and I can cook/bake.

OhSoggyBiscuit · 13/08/2017 16:07

I'm in if a coach has wifi.

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 16:31

Fuzzy - I suspect we should prepare for pro-Brighton/anti-Brighton arguments now Grin I will try and remain impartial. Ahem.

North Cornwall coast - gorgeous: any specific places?

Smiling - Shall I reserve you a seat in the Adults Only section, Posh Coach. We are providing both Dog-Friendly and Dog-Free (Assistance Dogs allowed) Posh Coaches Smile

Still working out transport for other pets: am not altogether convinced long coach trips (possible motion sickness?)/ strangers/ being out of their own territory etc. might be all that enjoyable for them? If they genuinely are comfortable travelling, all are welcome (as are pics!).
Separate animal-friendly bus/ on-board Vet perhaps?
Owner supervision at all times.

You can join the Adults Only group, once at our destination, tailor-made for child/youth-free interests. You should be safe then...

All home-cooked offerings very welcome indeed (any pics/ short descriptions of regional specialities a plus, too).

OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 16:35

SoggyBiscuit,

Most definitely. (See pic, page 1...our Posh Coaches are posh !).

Also provided are Quiet Rooms for guaranteed non-chat from other persistent passengers.
See post coming up.

OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 16:40

3 more options

  1. The Party Bus
(Soundproof and LOUD...you have been warned. Contains separate booth for extreme musical tastes...you have been doubly warned).
  1. Interior of Sleeping Section, Posh Coach
(For knackered people, needing to catch up on zzz to/ from destination. Any kids travelling with you will be safely cared for [under 12s: Jungle Fun Bus/ 13-16s: details yet to be worked out]. The only stipulation is that you must fully partake in the experience once there [or else you'd be considered a Cheeky Fucker. Penalties apply]).
  1. Quiet, soundproof sections
(For time away from the masses. Strictly no talking to/ disturbing others. Or Management will be round with her clipboard: she's terrifying, did I mention that?).
Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
OP posts:
FuzzyCustard · 13/08/2017 17:04

Has to be real north Cornwall (ie not Newquay or Padstow). I'd out myself if I got too specific!

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
ItsNachoCheese · 13/08/2017 20:42

Id like to reserve my space in the posh coach and spaces for ds and ddog too

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 20:55

Nacho, I remember NachoDog: you told us he likes Neil Diamond! Smile Your 3 places reserved on 'Posh Coach, Dog-Friendly.'

Fuzzy, Wow. Beautiful. Can almost smell the sea air.

OP posts:
ItsNachoCheese · 13/08/2017 20:56

Yaaay 🎉

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 13/08/2017 22:38

Coach Trip Singalong Playlist (contd.)

"Day Trip To Bangor", Fiddler's Dram

(Lyrics on screen)

BONUS:
(Visual extras: 'live' performance by band itself (1980)...behold the tank-topped guitarist and his spectacular hair/beard...and a Rowan Atkinson clone on fiddle duty. Crikey)

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
OP posts:
OhSoggyBiscuit · 14/08/2017 01:41

Save me a seat on a posh coach for sure. Does it also deliver bacon butties whenever I feel like one?

flowergrrl77 · 14/08/2017 07:28

Good morning! Whose on egg muffin duty?

prettybird · 14/08/2017 08:57

I can bring some home made tablet - instant sugar rush Wink

I also make some mean chocolate chip cookies - adapted from the MN recipe Smile

I'd be happy for Neil Diamond on the playlist - I'm off to see him in October Smile (Birthday present from dh Flowers)

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
FuzzyCustard · 14/08/2017 09:15

I need that tablet now prettybird. It looks lovely.

MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 14/08/2017 11:52

justoneday - So sorry, forgot your confirmation: yes, you're booked onto Posh Coach, and your 2 DC will have a blast on the Fun Bus. Smile

Soggybiscuit, flowergrrl - Bacon butties: tick. Egg muffins: tick. [Sausages, also. And veggie/ vegan alternative breakfast options available. Full English (or Scottish/ Irish/ Welsh etc. equivalent...) would have been, but too difficult to eat on a coach...].

prettybird - Ooh, tablet! Yes, please. And the cookies.

OP posts:
MarilynWhirlwindRocks · 14/08/2017 12:21

Coach Trip Singalong Playlist (contd.)
(all videos include on-screen lyrics)

"Mambo Italiano", Dean Martin

"Dancing Queen", Abba

"Chandelier", Sia

"Sweet Caroline", Neil Diamond

Virtual Coach Trip: All Aboard!
OP posts: