Do dreams come true ????????

[shyamwestwind]

Hi Everyone
I have never been out of India , but would love to visit the U.K. and Ireland . I wonder if my dream will ever come true, but I want to try and work out something, a kind of a long term plan to visit during July next year (2010)
I have a first cousin staying in Kent and I know they'll put us up for a couple of weeks but I want to visit Scotland and Ireland for atleast ten days.
My daughter is working in Dubai and can come directly to the U.K. from there. My wife and I will join her at London and the three of us wanto tour the U.K. and Ireland for about three to four weeks.
As you all know, I'm handicapped . I had poilio of the left leg when Iwas an infant. My right leg is becoming weak and I use an elbow crutch to walk . I can walk upright and I can climb stairs and board buses etc.
I will eeed to come there on a shoe string budget and I need to know your collective honest opinion, as to how I can do this.
Are there any affordable "Home Stay" accomodation available in Scotland and Ireland and what would be the average amounts I;ll need to spend on bed and breakfast for three.
Food has never been a priority for the three of us and we are very happy with Bread , Butter and Eggs. However I want to know how much it'd cost us to "exist" for a day .
What are the cheapest means of transporttation there and how cheap does cheap mean ?
Are there any pubs where I can sing for an hour or two to earn supper for the three of us and will I be rewarded if I place a hat next to me ? I do understand that I cannot sing formally at any venue unless licensed to do so, hence this question.
Guys, I am not joking here when I ask you to clear these doubts.
I hope you can give me a down to earth estimate of what I should expect to spend .I knowits a dream,and I wish to know if I can afford to dream.
I am serious and I will expect your honest replies/suggestions/advice.

[modbod]

Shyam
The Irish Tourist Board has a walk-in office in Mumbai and here is the link which gives the address and phone number. If you can make contact with them, it may give you a start at answering some of your questions and planning your trip.
www.discoverireland.com/in/forms/newcontact/

Regards, Michael

[shyamwestwind]

Thank you Michael. The link you sent me is really useful and I'm surprised to know there are Consulate offices in Bangalore. I will discuss all what I need to know with them.
Thanks again

[doricvision]

I'll see if I can deal with some of the other issues you raised for Scotland Shyam
Watch this space
Regards Bigmike

[shyamwestwind]

Thanks Big Mike

[shanless]

Hi Shyam...if you ever make it to Ireland....my door is always open....we live in a beautiful part of Ireland on the North Coast close to the sea and we live in a bungalow so no 'climbing ' to do.....and we have two automatic cars so I'm sure you'll never be stuck for transport.....
Hope it works out for you
Kev

[JohnG]

Hi Shyam,

Sometimes dreams come true, but rarely IMHO! Or in a way you weren't quite expecting.

If you follow this link www.bedandbreakfastnationwide.com, and use the B&B search facility, you will get some idea of average B&B prices in different parts of the country. Make sure you're sitting down when you look!!!!!

It's the site I currently use to find suitable ones when I visit. However I do believe you may find lower prices and higher ones too of course. All the ones I've stayed in from this organisation have been fine and some of them very good. However most of them have been nearer the £50 pppn (per person per night) end as I usually only stay for a week or so.

I am quite sure everyone will post giving you cheaper alternatives, at least I hope so, I might learn of a few more possibilities.

All the best,
Hope your dreams can come true, mine did when I married Susanne.
JohnG.

[shyamwestwind]

Thank you Kev ....... I'm a very mushy kind of guy and I am on the verge of tears thinking of how kind you are to invite me to your home. Thank you, Kev.
I hope things will work out and though there are butterflies in my stomach now, I am going to try my best

[shyamwestwind]

Thanks for the link, JohnG, ........... all these links should help me to find an affordable place.

[weegeo]

Hey there old friend Shyam,
If you get to our part of the country you will have no problem with having a place to stay i am sure like Kev we will be able to afford you the run of our house as well no problem my friend and it would be lovely to see you so keep thinking and let us know i live more inland than Kev but it`s pleasant anyway

weegeo

[shyamwestwind]

Thank you George, very kind of you. I reuly hope I can make it, even if its for a little while. My daughter usually gets time off in July and I thought it would be nice to have her with us, but she seems to be having other plans and might not accompany us. Its got me feeling depressed and though my wife says we'll do it on our own - just the two of us, I'm not feeling too good.However with friends like you guys, I hope we can.

[shyamwestwind]

Hi Guys
I think I have a fair idea of what the dates will be. My wife, Hema and I will be in Dubai for 4 days and hope to bbe in the U.K. with my daughter from the 17th or 18th of July till around the 10th of August. My cousin and her husband are at Kent and have very kindly invited to treat their home as our Base.
I've been advised to use the public transport as much as possible, except where I can borrow cars to look around in the town where we'll be visiting. As I wrote earlier, we want to visit Scotland and Ireland, Wales and Hebrides and ofcourse Norther Ireland and I'm going to use this Forum to ask for whatever hospitality they can afford to give us. I know I can sing for our supper and cook yours too and all we need is your affection and warmth.
We are working out our finances and getting organised and I'm looking forward very dearly to our visit to the U.K.
I look forward to hearing from you

[shyamwestwind]

Oh oh .......... It sure looks like I've scared many away with my "corny" jokes . Guys, guys guys I was only joking. We have a few relatives and friends to stay but I will certainly be dropping in to see you and have a hot cuppa " CHA with you and maybe go down to where you guys perform. If theres anything I can get you from India, please dont hesitate to ask. Sorry no Elephants or Snakes ......... lol.
I know July is a long way off but time sure is going by real fast. It looks like we played for the New Year's Eve show, just a fortnight ago , but its the end of February now . Looking forward to meeting you guys

[doricvision]

Shyam ,any Sat night you care to stay in Aberdeen I will take you to see where Weeo plays and who knows if you ask the wee man nicely . Dont worry about accomodation I will take care of that side of it
Bigmike

[JohnG]

Hi Shyam,

No, you haven't scared us away, actually I do like your jokes although I don't always comment. Perhaps I should.

I took a look at your dates (mid July to 10th August in Kent) when you posted your message, and wondered whether to take our summer holiday in the UK and arrange to meet up. But at this point I'm not sure whether or not it's feasible (teaching contracts etc.). We usually come across on the Calais - Dover ferry and found a reasonable B&B not far from Canterbury last year.

I could really do with a "proper" curry and, in general, it's difficult to find a good curry house in Germany. Having introduced Susanne to the joys of Indian cooking a few years ago, when we visited the UK, she is very keen to continue her acquaintance with the Indian culinary art! She likes them "hot and spicy" but not too much so!

I just know that the last sentence is going to be misinterpreted!

All the best,
JohnG.