Hilly with beautiful buildings, cobbled streets and mad drivers. Mixed weather varying from very pleasant to hot. Shops open really late.
A little wander on the bike.
Porto
Tag: Travel
Badajoz to Porto
An issue straight away with the start of this journey, a delay of 30 minutes, first delay of the trip, The delay would make my connection very tight, particularly as I had to make a reservation at Entratron.
The train is a single carriage diesel, a bit long in the tooth. Not fast and not modern, Operated by the Portuguese Railway service.
The line is single track with a steep climb after entering Portugal. Not fast, Then we are told we have to get off the train an wait for a bus. A train further down the line had broken down and blocked the track,
Picked up a fast train at Entroncamento. I had no reservation for the train, No opportunity to get one with the previous chaos, I am not convinced it would have been possible even if everything had gone to plan. It is not possible to make reservations for Portugal in Spain or on the train to Entroncamento. But past caring by this stage,
This was the first time that the journey encountered issues. Old rolling stock on single track line, Language was an issue resolved by fellow travellers being multi linguists. I had to move once on the final train due to the arrival with a traveller with a reservation. Arrived eventually. But list bike helmet in all the changes.
Badajoz es muy bonito
Arrived at my hotel on the outskirts of Badajoz to find that there was not one but two wedding parties happening.
Badajoz is a historic city with fortifications and beautiful architecture.
Oxfordshire to Barcelona
A long way to go in one day!
Early start with the moon in the sky.
A revisit to Reading on the way to London.
Paddington nice and early.
Followed by an almost pleasant bike ride to St Pancras.
Stress at St Pancras as the gate for the 0701 Eurostar was closing. Still had a long wait on the train. Pleasant ride on the Eurostar but the electrical sockets don’t work. No matter, sure there will be opportunities later.
train
Arrived at Gare Du Nord
Ride across Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, followed by lunch, sightseeing, and a return to Gare de Lyon.
The ride from Paris to Barcelona was epic, long, fast and a good selection of French landscapes. Brits, Americans, Australians, Germans, French, Spaniards. A fun mix, and by the end of the journey we felt like we had experienced something together. Six hours travel time on the final leg of today.
Strike!
It is strike day on the railways of England. So I cannot get to my intended destination of Guildford by train, so instead I head to Woking and jump on my bike for the remainder of the journey.
The cycle from Euston to Waterloo is pleasant and quick, taking in some of the sights of London on the way.
Caledonian Sleeper
Go to sleep in the Scottish Highlands and wake up in the deep south of England. What better way to travel? Efficient, traveling while you sleep. Enjoyable, far more fun than sitting in soulless airports. But it is pricey.
The options are, sleeping in a recliner – cheap but not cheerful, a room to yourself or with a friend with a friend, or for a bit more with a en-suite shower/toilet. If you really push the boat out you can have a double bed.
The sleeper service uses the rail track infrastructure which is underused at night, which must be a good idea.
Insight 