10th May 2005, 04:23 PM
I think deciding on a fair subsistence rate is actually difficult question.
The notion that self catering accomodation means you donot spend more than if you were at home is out of touch with the realities of life on the road. (Sorry David) odds on you will be buying food from expensive shops until you get to know the area. For example on Saturday night, being disorganised, I had to buy four bottles of beer from a corner shop costing me twice at much as I normally spend. It will only cost the same if you take all the ingrediants with you and there is no waste.
On this two day trip I spent about 20 quid just on bits and pieces odd cups of coffee and similar.
Similarly on one overnight stay in Hereford the only place I could find to eat was a hotel at UKP 18 for roast chicken. (There was a curry house but as I had one the previous night ....) Worse still after five hour none stop driving (the joys of the M25) I found that the hotel had stopped selling food at 18.30. It was a very cold stormy night and all I could find was a Italian with a Christmas special menu for ?28. Nice meal.
In another places I found a carvery eat as much as you like for UKP 6.
The point is that if you in somewhere you donot know there is no garantuee that you will find somewhere suitable. If you are a vegan or need a gluten free diet it is very difficult if not impossible. If you are forced to stop at a motorway service station or a little chef you can pay UKP6 for a bacon butty and a cup of coffee.
Staying in good hotels means that you end up eating too much rich food.
I find eating a half balanced sensible edible diet with variety on the road difficult without worrying about cost. On a budget it is impossible.
Then there is the issue of quality of the food served. I reckon on between UKP 60-120 for a hotel it all depends on what is available and UKP 25 for a meal and bits and pieces per night plus beer.
If you are working in South Oxfordshire for example you will be paying UKP 2.70 for a pint or 3.10 for a lager. Somebody working here will be paying UKP 500 -600 a year more for the beer ration of 4 pints a night compared to the Midlands or East Anglia or similar.
Peter
BTW London is relatively cheap for eating out on a like with like basis than the South East.
The notion that self catering accomodation means you donot spend more than if you were at home is out of touch with the realities of life on the road. (Sorry David) odds on you will be buying food from expensive shops until you get to know the area. For example on Saturday night, being disorganised, I had to buy four bottles of beer from a corner shop costing me twice at much as I normally spend. It will only cost the same if you take all the ingrediants with you and there is no waste.
On this two day trip I spent about 20 quid just on bits and pieces odd cups of coffee and similar.
Similarly on one overnight stay in Hereford the only place I could find to eat was a hotel at UKP 18 for roast chicken. (There was a curry house but as I had one the previous night ....) Worse still after five hour none stop driving (the joys of the M25) I found that the hotel had stopped selling food at 18.30. It was a very cold stormy night and all I could find was a Italian with a Christmas special menu for ?28. Nice meal.
In another places I found a carvery eat as much as you like for UKP 6.
The point is that if you in somewhere you donot know there is no garantuee that you will find somewhere suitable. If you are a vegan or need a gluten free diet it is very difficult if not impossible. If you are forced to stop at a motorway service station or a little chef you can pay UKP6 for a bacon butty and a cup of coffee.
Staying in good hotels means that you end up eating too much rich food.
I find eating a half balanced sensible edible diet with variety on the road difficult without worrying about cost. On a budget it is impossible.
Then there is the issue of quality of the food served. I reckon on between UKP 60-120 for a hotel it all depends on what is available and UKP 25 for a meal and bits and pieces per night plus beer.
If you are working in South Oxfordshire for example you will be paying UKP 2.70 for a pint or 3.10 for a lager. Somebody working here will be paying UKP 500 -600 a year more for the beer ration of 4 pints a night compared to the Midlands or East Anglia or similar.
Peter
BTW London is relatively cheap for eating out on a like with like basis than the South East.