Storm Dennis - are we mad?

[Springiscoming20]

Have had a day out in London planned for months for all the family (12 people in total including children). It will require a 2 hour journey each way including car, an hour pn the train and then tube. We have non refundable tickets for something that cost a bloody fortune - hence a little pressure to try and still go.

Have visions of us stuck at Paddington with no way of getting home later this evening! That’s if we even make it in.

Are we made to try?

Just go. You'll be in London - worse thing that might happen is that you need to get a premier inn for the night and anything you need for overnight can be purchased in London anyway.

According to windy.com it will be windies at 2am on Sunday morning in the north of London area

Personally I’d check see if there’s a fairly cheap ibis or similar just incase you can’t get home 🤷🏼‍♀️

DH travelled to London from the Midlands first thing this morning, and is planning to travel back early afternoon. So far, no problems.

the roads will be fine it’s public transport that’ll screw up

That depends where the OP is, you've no way of knowing if the roads are fine - round here the roads are not fine and many are impassable due to flood water from Ciara which still hasn't receded.

We trained in during the storm last week and we're fine both ways. It really depends on the particular route I guess.

Yeah, maybe find a 'Free Cancellation' booking for a cheap hotel.
Whilst many people had a nightmare travelling last weekend for Ciara, dd managed to get home relatively easily from Amsterdam, despite flights and trains being delayed and cancelled. You may be lucky - depends on your route.

I cant stand the hysteria around these storm names. Specific areas may get flooded, but that happens numerous times a year. There may be the odd tree trunk blown down

You’re totally missing the point. It’s the cancellation of trains that are a pain in the arse. Last week I had trains cancelled because overhead lines had come down and objects had been blown onto the tracks amongst other things.

We are doing the opposite journey today. My daughters are competing in a big competition tomorrow in the Midlands, we are staying in a hotel an£Pd away until Tuesday as half term.

Friend whose daughter is competing for the first time (one category as opposed to 3 and 4 plus hopeful of a medal) asked if we should cancel. I’ve checked the weather, winds seem to go up to 20-25mph, we’re still going, up to her if she is happy or not.

But, we are all driving, so trains not an issue

I am in London

What Storm DEnnis?

Go - Go - GO!

You'll have a great day and possibly an adventure to talk about later on.

I would go in a heartbeat!

(But if you've got a dog - make sure your neighbour can let it out for a wee. . . )

I’m going to oxford from London-trains fine so far so I’m going to go.

I clicked YABU but meant the other, just go, barely a breeze here at the moment, worst case scenario stay if a travel lodge and claim from train company.

Well this one looks if it will be more wet than windy its supposed to be blowing at 45 MPH here and hardley anything is moving outside!.

As long as trampolines don't take flight the railways should be good to go . Apart from the odd tree but last weeks winds will have taken most of of the weak ones out.

Driving and parking at Excel or the O2 is useful too, as long as the m25 is ok (ha!) they're easily accessible, and good tube in.

Go. Have a contingency plan.

Just don’t be one of those people who if the train companies put out a “do not travel” announcement, turn up at the station expecting to be able to travel

stylisummy and to those saying only a breeze here, it hasn't started yet - from around mid morning onwards for 3 days it will be very disruptive. That said I would go but book a cheap hotel and take an overnight bag.

Drive to hillingdon, park and it's one tube in?

I wouldn't but I have been at the mercy of train cancellations with young kids in tow one too many times and so am a much more cautious traveler now

I would definitely go. No way would I walk away from £500 worth of tickets just in case the weather gets really bad. Is it an option to book a hotel OP?

Is there any chance that the event itself might be cancelled? We had the same dilemma before, and thankfully lots of the crew couldn't safely make it so it was cancelled and we got a refund :D other than that, if you're familiar with London as it sounds like you are, and you know that the others in the group will be okay waiting around or is something changes last minute and you have to stay then yes definitely go.

I am in London too oddly and its certainly very windy here in my part of the capital .
Not a storm yet but "what storm Dennis?" is just flippant.

Do you have travel insurance? A friend who wasn't able to use train and theatre tickets last weekend because the railway line was shut has put in a claim on her annual travel insurance.

Ive cancelled my train journey for the day its just too risky to try it in this weather and its not even 10am and half the trains are cancelled or delayed already