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Google - Ipswich to Newcastle via Holland??


Article by: Darren Griffin
Date: 9 Mar 2010

pocketgpsworld.comAnother of my many hobbies. electronics, drew me to this great little story.

Maker Faire, the US Electronics Hobby empire are hosting a two day Maker Faire event as part of the Newcastle ScienceFest.

A group of enthusiasts, designers and artists, the Curiosity Collective, will be there displaying some of their creations.

One evening over a pint they decided to see what route Google suggested for the trip from Ipswich to Newcastle only to find it suggested they go via Holland using two ferries!

And so a plan was formed! Why not walk to Newcastle following Google's route via Harwich, a ferry to the Hook of Holland, IJmuiden and another ferry to Newcastle!

Madness to some perhaps but they're already on their way. They're taking with them as many of their gadgets including a home made sextant, an iPhone based geographical 'misinformation' system (Google Maps?) and an Arduino based pedometer.

You can follow them on their journey via their blog here and if anyone is in the area, Maker Faire takes place 13/14th March, more details here.
Comments
Posted by proctog on Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:01 am Reply with quote

I think they're trying to generate some free publicity at Google's expense. I've used Google Maps for that and similar routes in the past (and just now, to check) and it's always suggested reasonable routes.

Glenn.


 
Posted by Darren on Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:09 am Reply with quote

Of course it is all a bit of fun but the route is a genuine one as suggested by Google when 'pedestrian' mode is selected.

Presumably Google think the ferry is a timesaver but if you want a walking route then that is counter intuitive Confused

But whatever, this is meant to be a bit of fun and not one for serious debate!


Darren Griffin

 
Posted by GerryC on Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:03 am Reply with quote

I wouldn't be surprised if the ferry 'speed' is the same whether walking or driving. You'll get across in the same time either way. If you were seriously going to walk from Ipswich to Newcastle, you'd plan it one day at a time. Also, if you were planning to walk from London to Paris, taking a ferry for part of the route would be a valid option.

Still it sounds like the sort of plan you'd make over a few pints. Guinness


Gerry
TomTom730T
Cameralert for Android
Brodit ProClip mount

 
Posted by Darren on Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:09 am Reply with quote

GerryC Wrote:
lso, if you were planning to walk from London to Paris, taking a ferry for part of the route would be a valid option.

Uh how is that relevant? Of course it would be valid if there was a huge expanse of water in between. There isn't in this case. Well not unless the floods have been worse than I'd thought Wink
Quote:
Still it sounds like the sort of plan you'd make over a few pints. Guinness

Indeed Laughing


Darren Griffin

 
Posted by BigPerk on Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:14 am Reply with quote

Maybe they had the 'Avoid Suicidal Roads' option set?


David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

 
Posted by DennisN on Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:20 am Reply with quote

Surely the fastest pedestrian route is to pedestriate from your front door to the car, drive lunatically up the Suicidal Routes to get to the car park at the place and then pedestriate into the venue.

I'm a great walker myself and that's what I'd do. Rolling Eyes


Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

 
Posted by spook51 on Wed Mar 10, 2010 8:40 pm Reply with quote

For route planning lunacy try Plymouth to Aberdeen on Google maps(walking) then check out the second suggested route via Rosyth and Zeebrugge.


 
Posted by DennisN on Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:13 pm Reply with quote

This is beginning to have the makings of a shaggy dog story. May I suggest we hold a competition to see who can find the daftest example, maybe Gillingham to Southend via Esbjerg? Smile


Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

 
Posted by nickhoare on Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:33 pm Reply with quote

I use Mappoint (Autoroute) professionally and it does the same thing from time to time. From one street in Dover, to get to Ipswich it insists on taking the ferry to Calais, a quick spurt up the coast and then a ferry, rather than take the roads. From a street just a couple of hundred yards away it took a more sensible route.
All to do with optimistic crossing times and the fact that it doesn't take into account any waiting, boarding or disembarking times, I think.


 
Posted by GerryC on Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:33 pm Reply with quote

Not really in the same vein but to get from the loading dock at Liverpool to the loading dock at Dublin (direct connection with the boat in front of me), I've been told to drive to Hollyhead to catch a different one. Rolling Eyes

Gerry


Gerry
TomTom730T
Cameralert for Android
Brodit ProClip mount

 
Posted by Tom59 on Sat Mar 13, 2010 9:26 pm Reply with quote

Have Google got shares in P&O?
Why does it not make you walk to the nearest railway station or bicycle hire shop?


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Firmware 9.430. Map: Western Europe V 875.3613

TT iPhone app
V 1.23 Map: Western and Central Europe 2 GB V 965.7286

TT iOS Go Mobile
V 1.1 Map: Western Europe 965.7248

 
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