a few questions about travel to London area

[professor ganson]

Very soon I've got a conference at University of Hertfordshire followed by one at Cambridge, and I get a few nights in London as well. I'd really appreciate answers to the following:

1. Can I use my AC adaptor for my PSP? I know I need the three prong adaptor, but I'm wondering about voltage. Somewhere I read that I CANNOT charge my PSP, but the adaptor says: 100V - 240V 50/60Hz. Won't this work? That's the same as my laptop, and I'm planning on bringing my laptop.

2. I'd really like to visit an authentic castle, but I can't go too far out of my way. My good friends from England tell me that the sort of castle I'm interested in is more common in the north. Is Windsor my best bet? I was hoping for something less regal and palatial. Something kinda scary.

3. Is the Casino Arcade a must-see? With limited time I will probably skip it, but if it's really nice...

[rancor]

Ask for CHI as your tour guide. He's a proper English gentleman in every way (aside from the new haircut - haha!). It's actually stunning how British he is.

[neorichieb1971]

Adapter will work. If the adapter says its 220v or 240v 50hz compatible its going to work.

Scary half fallen castles are indeed in the north. There is one such place at Alton Towers (Theme park) but you can't go in it.

It should be noted that although Cambridge doesn't have a castle that I am aware, it does have some of the most unbelievable architecture the world saw 500-1000 years ago.

Never been to Casino. But from pictures its just an 80's lookalike arcade in a basement with a bar. I might be a bit off but from what i've seen its something like that.

[dan76]

Never been to Casino. But from pictures its just an 80's lookalike arcade in a basement with a bar. I might be a bit off but from what i've seen its something like that.

Casino has been open since the 80's and hasn't changed much. If you want an authentic (i.e slightly grubby...), proper arcade experience Casino is the place to visit!

There is no bar and you have to go downstairs to get to the shooters and fighting games. At the moment we have Dodonpachi, DOJ, Deathsmiles, Progear, Strikers 1945plus, Raiden DX (? - not actually sure which Raiden game it is), and Mushihimesama - which is hardly ever switched on because the screen gave up the will to live a few weeks ago.

Check out the Casino thread in the shmupmeets section and let us know if you can make it down. We 're normally there on tuesday/thursday evenings.

[Sly Cherry Chunks]

2. I'd really like to visit an authentic castle, but I can't go too far out of my way. My good friends from England tell me that the sort of castle I'm interested in is more common in the north. Is Windsor my best bet? I was hoping for something less regal and palatial. Something kinda scary.

If youre in London then the Tower is your best bet.

[Skykid]

Ask for CHI as your tour guide. He's a proper English gentleman in every way (aside from the new haircut - haha!). It's actually stunning how British he is.

He's also very Hong Kongese (well he is to me anyway.)

If you're pressed for time Prof G then unfortunately London Bridge and the Tower of London is your easiest destination, as it's slap bang in the middle of central London. It's been partially restored several times so, while it's big and castley, it's not quite the real moss eaten, dilapidated war chamber you would find dotted around other parts of the country - but it's good enough for a brief visit I think. You have to pay tourist rates to get inside tho.

Casino has Darius Burst in it, which means by visiting you have not only made it to London, but will save yourself a trip to Tokyo as a double whammy.

[professor ganson]

Awesome, thanks guys. I've been to London a couple times, but I don't think I've ever properly visited London Bridge and Tower of London. Seems like I've seen them at a distance. Maybe I will go to Windsor Castle as well, but I'll have to think about my schedule.

Awesome games at Casino! I know them well, of course, so I'll probably choose an experience less familiar with such limited time. And now that I know my PSP is going to function, my gaming fix is sure to be satisfied.

I'll probably go to bars where I can watch some soccer matches. It's a drag that I'll be missing week 2 of the NFL season-- maybe they show some american football at some bars?

[Skykid]

Awesome, thanks guys. I've been to London a couple times, but I don't think I've ever properly visited London Bridge and Tower of London. Seems like I've seen them at a distance. Maybe I will go to Windsor Castle as well, but I'll have to think about my schedule.

Awesome games at Casino! I know them well, of course, so I'll probably choose an experience less familiar with such limited time. And now that I know my PSP is going to function, my gaming fix is sure to be satisfied.

I'll probably go to bars where I can watch some soccer matches. It's a drag that I'll be missing week 2 of the NFL season-- maybe they show some american football at some bars?

There was a US style sports bar just off of Piccadilly Circus that show US sport. That might be a good place to check out (if it's still there, I haven't been in a while.)

[DEL]

Skykid has listed everything perfectly.

Castles & stuff - Tower of London and definitely Windsor Castle to get your Raizing Castle fix.

Casino Arcade - DARIUS BURST.

The SPORTS BAR on Haymarket next door to the building where I used to work - US Sports etc.

Chinatown for food.
There's a decent Mexican behind Casino arcade on the same street as Game Focus shop, which is sadly not as Japanese import orientated as before, although I did manage to buy a JAP X360, Death Smiles II limited, DFK limited there earlier this year.

[Daigohji]

Watch out for fleas on the underground.

[professor ganson]

Fleas suck, but I think I'm even more worried about bed bugs!

DEL, thanks for the food tip! I'm ultimately from CA, so it would be interesting to see how Mexican food in the UK would measure up. I'll probably be looking for good Indian and maybe Japanese. It would be cool to go to one of the celebrity chef restaurants but the prices are probably crazy, especially with the low dollar. I like Jamie Oliver's older tv shows a lot.

[Randorama]

Very soon I've got a conference at University of Hertfordshire followed by one at Cambridge, and I get a few nights in London as well.

What conferences are those, if I may?

[Skykid]

Fleas suck, but I think I'm even more worried about bed bugs!

DEL, thanks for the food tip! I'm ultimately from CA, so it would be interesting to see how Mexican food in the UK would measure up. I'll probably be looking for good Indian and maybe Japanese. It would be cool to go to one of the celebrity chef restaurants but the prices are probably crazy, especially with the low dollar. I like Jamie Oliver's older tv shows a lot.

Chinatown:

Best value Japanese: Misato (might have to cue out the door for a while though.) Cheap, tasty and enormous dishes.

Recommended Chinese: Golden Dragon is one I always thought was reasonably priced with a nice environment.

Wong Kei: Cantonese restaurant frequented by the Casino regulars - but an acquired taste: £4.00 a meal with service to match, but the food is plentiful and tasty.

[professor ganson]

Chinatown:

Best value Japanese: Misato (might have to cue out the door for a while though.) Cheap, tasty and enormous dishes.

Recommended Chinese: Golden Dragon is one I always thought was reasonably priced with a nice environment.

Wong Kei: Cantonese restaurant frequented by the Casino regulars - but an acquired taste: £4.00 a meal with service to match, but the food is plentiful and tasty.

I just heard about the chinatown in London watching BBC's Cranford. Must go. Thanks once again, Skykid!

[Skykid]

Chinatown:

Best value Japanese: Misato (might have to cue out the door for a while though.) Cheap, tasty and enormous dishes.

Recommended Chinese: Golden Dragon is one I always thought was reasonably priced with a nice environment.

Wong Kei: Cantonese restaurant frequented by the Casino regulars - but an acquired taste: £4.00 a meal with service to match, but the food is plentiful and tasty.

I just heard about the chinatown in London watching BBC's Cranford. Must go. Thanks once again, Skykid!

NP's, enjoy yourself buddy!

I don't know if I'll be around as I only visit my folks now and then and it's rarely planned in advance, but I'd recommend hooking up with the Casino group even if it's just for a meal and a few hours hanging out in Chinatown. They're all great guys and very welcoming.

If you're stuck at any point, just be in Casino after 5:30pm and the Chinese dude playing the Darius Burst cab will be Chi. Just go up and say hello, it won't bother him, he's great at throwing out handshakes during boss warning sequences.

[DEL]

professor ganson wrote;

DEL, thanks for the food tip! I'm ultimately from CA, so it would be interesting to see how Mexican food in the UK would measure up. I'll probably be looking for good Indian and maybe Japanese. It would be cool to go to one of the celebrity chef restaurants but the prices are probably crazy, especially with the low dollar. I like Jamie Oliver's older tv shows a lot.

Good Indian restaurants are not found in the West End, although I did see one opposite Spearmint Rhino's lapdance club on the same street as Casino Arcade, near Warren Street Tube Stn. Might be worth doing the double
You need to travel up West to Southall and Hayes for nonstop good Indian/Bangladeshi, Sikh and Pakistani Restaurants.

[neorichieb1971]

www.bamburghcastle.com
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
www.ni-environment.gov.uk
www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
www.hevercastle.co.uk
www.royalcollection.org.uk
www.skiptoncastle.co.uk
www.warwick-castle.co.uk

I just got these out of a brochure if that helps.