The train I was planning to catch already was delayed by 45 minutes, which was making the next connection tight. But I had arrived early at the station and so caught an earlier train, which way delayed by 7 minutes. It arrived on time to München.
Frosty morning Factory creating its own micro climate Steam from factoryMountains in the the distance Approaching Salzburg Leaving SaltzburgFreilassingFarm houses near Rosenheim, GermanyComing into MunichMünchen Hauptbahnhof The first leg of the trip done.Leaving Munich
There follows a rapid set of border crossings. Germany into Austria into Switzerland. This happens skirting the edge of the Bodensee or Lake Constance.
It’s very green.Bregenzer AchtFarmhouse with chickensThe Rhine
Crossing into Switzerland
Bodensee near RheineckBodensee in distance and we are climbing.Flying the Swiss flag
Impressive buildings in St Gallen
Allotments on the approach to ZürichDog on train has been travelling for hours.Zürich HBThe station is big.TGV at Zürich
The next leg is the longest of the day on the very rapid TGV.
Gosken S-Däniken Nuclear Power PlantIndustry near BasleInto France
The sun is going down.Dijon Gare de Lyon
The cycle across Paris is made interesting with the cycle ways being blocked by vans being used to pack away a market.
The temperature has climbed but it’s foggy in Bucharest
The blue skies have gone.
Leaving Fastest way to travel?
Cycling in Bucharest is awful, but faster than driving, bus or walking. Could the tram be faster?
Needs must for food at the station.Bucharest Gara de Nord is dingy
Leaving Bucharest NorthMy accommodation for the next 18 hoursBike goes under the couchetteI am alone in the cabin for the night.
I am told that I will be joined in the cabin at Timisoara, where we are due to arrive at 0716. I set the alarm for 0700.
Bed made up.It’s a bit wet for the first time.Recaș
The train is late at Timisoara, so could have had a longer lay in. I am joined by three Iranian students.
TimisoaraVinga
There’s a check before the border. The Iranians of course attract attention and my passport is checked.
Just over the border in Hungary there is a bit of a wait.
It seems that the rail operator has built in a big pause at the border, longer than our wait, so we are back on time.
Delay – confused by time change at border.
They took the back end of the trai off.
A wait just across the border.River TiszaSzolznok – so many tracks!Very flat near Újszász
Near GyömrőThe train Coming into Budapest Puskas arena Arrived in Budapest on time!Bucharest to Budapest Outside the station
Unfortunately no time to explore- on to the next leg.
This time it’s an OBB train direct to Linz.Budapest to LinzLeaving Budapest KeltiCrossing the DanubeHills near Budapest Donau further west Hegyshalom near the border Turbines
There loads of wind turbines near the border on the Austrian side.
Bruck an der LeithaSarasdorfTrainmansdorf an der Leitha
Don’t fly Mountains Coming into Vienna
The sun has gone.Arrived
The train was 45 mins late to Linz. I managed to complete the journey within 24 hours, just. The total time on the train 23 hours.
I have a bed booked for the train. I have no idea of the quality of the accommodation.
Here’s my ride- the actual carriage that I am going to be sleeping on.The cabin
Three of us sharing the cabin. So there followed a game of Jenga to fit everything in.
Bike space, later becoming my shoe rack.The sinkToilet The connecting door looks ominous The corridor
The train set off, crossing the border into Hungary just after half past nine, Austrian time. I slept through most of Hungary, but was woken up by shouting, possibly in Budapest.
We crossed in Romania at around 3:45.
Train station Simeria at seven in the morning.
It’s a long journey from the border to Bucharest, under bright blue almost cloudless skies.
SighisoraAlbestiHouses AlbestiHouses Vinatori
Many of the houses are small but colourful.
Cata
It’s cold outside but looks dry with the grass parched.
House at CataCataHorsesCows at Cata
I didn’t see any livestock, apart from close to houses. Presumably due to the grazing being poor at this time of year.
HumorodRacoș
We start seeing snow.
Augustin Dickson a partially frozen riverBraşovPredeal
The snow is getting thicker and the buildings have the look of a resort.
Near BraşovMountains PredealPredealRiver near Poiana CâmpinaFloreştiFlorişti – it’s gone flat.
Near BrasiMogosoaiaComing into BucharestBucharest Nord
The journey flew past in a flash. I slept well, much to my surprise. I shared the cabin with an Austrian and a Romanian who works in Austria, but barely speaks German. They were good company.
Cycle to hotel.
Slightly uncomfortable ride across to the hotel, trying to use the smaller roads.
It’s always unnerving cycling in a country for the first time. What is available in terms of cycle paths, how do the motorists behave. There are lots of good cycle ways in Vienna but I ended up on one road with no cycle path which was uncomfortable.
Ibis Budget – simple but effective.Dinner
Looked for a restaurant close to the hotel and found..
The Shiyu
Lovely food.
Desert Next to the Donau at night.
And next day..,
Sun shine to start the day DonauturmCrossing the Donau In the Augarten looking at the FlacktürmeWiener Rathaus HerrengasseThe horses pulling the tourists have their own poo catchers.MichaelertraktMaria Theresia from the back in the sunFront in shadow Next to the Natural History Museum Karls Kirche St Stephen‘s cathedral SchönlatterngasseAustrian Institute of science
Having never been to Augsburg previously but having heard a lot about Augsburg and particularly the Fuggerei I had high expectations. I set off on foot as check out time was noon.
Some interesting nooks and crannies Breakfast
Stopped for breakfast at the local market.
There are trams. Anti-antisemitism poster in the background.
I
The Main Street of the Fuggerei
8 Euros to explore the Fuggerei. The place is fascinating.
One of the key requirements of the Fuggerei is the Catholic faith.
There was a victim of the National Socialist even in the Fuggerei.Stolperstein
The Fuggerei was flattened by British bombing towards the end of the Second World War. Augsburg was a major centre for manufacturing weapons including fighter planes, and therefore a prime target. The Fuggerei was rebuilt.
Lech
On the way back to the hotel I discovered that the river is channelled through the city next to roads and houses.
I also walked along a street with loads of school children playing in the road. I asked the policeman what was happening. The police had blocked the street in preparation for a demonstration. An enterprising sports teacher used the moment to get the children out for a bit of fun.
Police blockade
After checking out I went back to the Augsburg Altstadt
Ausburger WasserfahrradKaffee und KüchenIt’s warm- eating outside in February Time to head to the station
Augsburg exceeded expectations, beautiful city, but substantially rebuilt after the war.
Change at München
Leaving München Mountains in the distance Bernau am ChiemseeTraunstein
What is interesting is that the German regional train runs from München to Salzburg, requiring cross border cooperation. This happens quite frequently on this trip.
Change at Salzburg Near Salzburg Full luggage rackSun setting Wien HBF
A short walk to St Pancras station. As ever border control seems chaotic and the waiting area is packed and too hot.
St Pancras platform Leaving St Pancras Lunch under the sea.Arriving in ParisGare du NordIt’s not far to Gare de l‘estBoarding at Gare de L‘EstHeading out of ParisThe suburbs The TGV is fast. It reached 319kph.SupperArrived in Augsburg
Time for a quick late night tour.
Am FischertorDer DomIbis am Hauptbahnhof
A pleasant but long day. Also confusing language wise. German, French, English (and some Polish) being spoken on the train. French bartender spoke to me in French until I hesitated ,then he switched to German.
Didcot Premier Inn – Plus roomBathroom- shower better than standing in a bath.Leaving DidcotA view of the BT tower on the way across London St Pancras Premier Inn – a plus room.View from the room.Paddington to St Pancras
The cycle route was mainly on protected cycle lanes. Some are very new. This makes the ride far more pleasant. But stop start.
Then a cycle to the Great Nepalese Restaurant near Euston station.
Vegetable momos The Nepalese set menu for one.Great food at the Great Nepalese.Complimentary food is available in the Sleeper Lounge.About to board the sleeper.Breakfast in the Highlands It’s snowy- the River Findhotn.Approaching Inverness Arrived at Inverness Snow had crept into the train.Inverness station has a dusting of snow.
Unfortunately the Far North train does not connect well with the Sleeper. I have a two hour wait in Inverness. Not much open at this time so in a moment of inspiration it’s off for a breakfast at Premier Inn. Must get sponsorship.
River NessSecond breakfast.
The Premier Inn is slightly disorganised. The card reader is not working so I get a free breakfast. Due to a low number of staff it takes an age for it to be served. Can’t complain because I am not paying for it.
Snowy Far North train at Inverness.Heading away from Inverness Slight speckling of snow near Conon Bridge.Near Edderton Near Invershin
There’s proper snowy scenery
Then back to the coast.
Near Brora
Then up the Helmsdale Strath.
River Helmsdale Very white near Kinbrace.Between Halkirk and Thurso.River ThursoIt’s snowing in Thurso
Insight 