Bucharest to Linz

Posted on 28th Feb 202528th Feb 2025 by insightndes

The temperature has climbed but it’s foggy in Bucharest

Leaving

Cycling in Bucharest is awful, but faster than driving, bus or walking. Could the tram be faster?

Leaving Bucharest North

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.

The train is late at Timisoara, so could have had a longer lay in. I am joined by three Iranian students.

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.

Near Gyömrő

Unfortunately no time to explore- on to the next leg.

This time it’s an OBB train direct to Linz.

There loads of wind turbines near the border on the Austrian side.

Don’t fly

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.

Tourism, Travel

Wien to Bucharest

Posted on 24th Feb 202525th Feb 2025 by insightndes

One train, almost 19 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.

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 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.

Many of the houses are small but colourful.

It’s cold outside but looks dry with the grass parched.

I didn’t see any livestock, apart from close to houses. Presumably due to the grazing being poor at this time of year.

We start seeing snow.

The snow is getting thicker and the buildings have the look of a resort.

Near Braşov

Near Brasi

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.

Slightly uncomfortable ride across to the hotel, trying to use the smaller roads.

And time for a quick explore.

Travel

Inverness to Didcot

Posted on 19th Feb 2025 by insightndes

Breakfast on the sleeper- it’s dark outside

Passing through Reading with a mosque visible

The journey was in bright sunshine and blue skies.

Travel

On the tracks again. The Far North to Inverness

Posted on 17th Feb 2025 by insightndes

Travel in February means it’s a bit cold. And it gets dark quickly, so not good for photos out of the window.

The line is not smooth.

Inverness – catching the Caledonian Sleeper.

A rain free trip, a few deer sightings, but most of it without a view due to lack of light. Very friendly staff.

Travel

Didcot to the far north. Snow!

Posted on 20th Nov 2024 by insightndes

Then a cycle to the Great Nepalese Restaurant near Euston station.

Complimentary food is available in the Sleeper Lounge.

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.

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.

Slight speckling of snow near Conon Bridge.

There’s proper snowy scenery

Then back to the coast.

Then up the Helmsdale Strath.

Travel

November travels- far north to the south

Posted on 10th Nov 2024 by insightndes

Setting off on the afternoon train with a grey sky.

It was already getting dark. A downside to traveling in November.

This is the standard cabin on the sleeper

The standard cabin has no ensuite, you don’t get breakfast and cannot use the sleeper lounge.

Google maps appeared to put me on the wrong train so I potentially could have ended up in Taunton rather than Didcot. Ticket man pointed out the error and I was able to change at Reading.

Travel

To the south west

Posted on 26th Jul 2024 by insightndes

Looking inland near Invergordan- low clouds

A monstrous cruise liner at Invergordon.

How could someone design such an ugly ship?

https://videopress.com/v/V3AKwK2n?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Approaching Inverness

I had to catch the lunchtime train to Inverness due to a reduced timetable.Time to kill in Inverness.

https://videopress.com/v/xeciBC1B?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

At Eden Court

Were they playing or tuning up?

Complementary drinks and snacks at the Sleeper Lounge.

I had a seat booked in this train, which someone sat in- no point moving them as the seat next to it was free.

I caught the Penzance train here. A few issues. Firstly the train rolled past platform 5 to platform 6, leaving everyone rushing over to get on board. And it wax crowded.

Bridgwater is not particularly bonny, but I did find a picture to make it look good.

Environment, Travel

Coast to coast north south north by train

Posted on 26th May 202426th May 2024 by insightndes

This journey, starting in the far north of Scotland, visiting Oxfordshire (twice), London, West Sussex, Poole, Surrey, Cheshire , Liverpool and Inverness.

Change to the Caledonian Sleeper at Inverness.

No dishwasher working on the train, hence the disposable cup.

The only issue on the cycle to Paddington was a close pass from a speeding motorcyclist. Why are they allowed in the bus lanes and why can’t they ride better?

After chatting to the man on the train doing the food trolley he said he would give me a free tea, if he got time before Didcot. Very kind.

First train issue- train to Paddington delayed so caught a different train.

Cycle across London in glorious sunshine, taking in Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, London Eye…

I came across a new menace in London, motorised skateboards exclusively ridden by idiots. These are not legally allowed to be used on pavements, roads or cycle paths. What happens if collide with an illegal vehicle, with no insurance and no sense?

After a stay in London I trained on from south London via London Bridge to Sussex.

The trip included cycling on the wonderful cuckoo trail. Lots of birdsong but no cuckoos heard,

A stop in Poole then back on the train.

Oops, accidentally got on first class at Didcot- on a crowded train

Change at Reading, on to Ash.

Fun at Ash, delayed train from Guildford due to something being thrown on the line.

A stay in Surrey for the weekend.

Another cycle across London.

Things started going pear shaped at Liverpool from where I was trying to travel to Inverness.

Liverpool station

Caught an earlier train , which I was only able to do due to having arrived early at Liverpool.

The train got stopped, so my connection at Haymarket started looking unsafe,

Despite warning the conductor and his best efforts we missed the connection to Inverness. ScotRail refused to hold their train. Splitting up British Rail was not a good idea.

Shoved on a train to Perth.