I enjoyed that mini tour.
Another mystery trip involving many wheels!
- Thread starter gerarddwatts
- Start date
Very enjoyable, thank you for taking the time to share your trip
Cracking read, thanks for sharing it.
DANE
Registered user
Is he back in the Swamps yet ?
Enjoyed that, thank you.
Easy_Rider
Registered user
I looked forward to reading this thread every day. Thank you for the tourer.
A treat for the senses, with humour.
Good one Gerald.
Good one Gerald.
Good one Gerard, a thoroughly enjoyable read with crackin' photos 
Love to the Lady Ninja
Looking for a weather 'window' for a couple of nights at Moffat and maybe Strontian on the Hunter Cub
Love to the Lady Ninja
Looking for a weather 'window' for a couple of nights at Moffat and maybe Strontian on the Hunter Cub
Fingers crossed for any weather window as we haven't had one for a while !Good one Gerard, a thoroughly enjoyable read with crackin' photos
Love to the Lady Ninja
Looking for a weather 'window' for a couple of nights at Moffat and maybe Strontian on the Hunter Cub
Depending when, I could maybe wrangle a night Strontianish
I'm hoping for maybe three nights at the Buccleuch Arms and maybe three in a cabin at Tims .... give the Hunter Cub a good runFingers crossed for any weather window as we haven't had one for a while !
Depending when, I could maybe wrangle a night Strontianish
Got a lot going on at the mo though!
Sounds good, if you feel the need for any company / someone to share a dram or three with, then let us knowI'm hoping for maybe three nights at the Buccleuch Arms and maybe three in a cabin at Tims .... give the Hunter Cub a good run
Got a lot going on at the mo though!
That's was an enjoyable read. Thanks.
(RIP) Mark H
Formerly known as Easyrider5258 (Mark)
Enjoyed that Gerard, made me look at continental train journeys myself 
Enjoyed that Gerard, made me look at continental train journeys myself
I’m sure it’s been mentioned before on here but take a look at seat61 for everything train related.
I’m visiting Lithuania in September (postponed from this month), flying there but taking train back.
https://www.seat61.com/index-mobile.htm
As said, 'themanatseat61' is an invaluable resource for planning this sort of project, and planning it is half the fun.
Originally conceived as a surprise trip for Cherry's birthday, I managed to keep most of the details a secret!
I wouldn't bother again with the Nightjet from Amsterdam...at least until they get some new carriages. The principle is commendable, to get intra european passengers off short haul planes, and some of their other services get good write ups, but this one is work in progress.
European trips when you live in Scotland have by definition an extra layer of complexity because a day is essentially lost getting down. Unless you don't mind effing about at airports, parking, drop off, queues to take off your trouser belt etc etc. I do, particularly for short flights
The DFDS ferry to Amsterdam is a good, if expensive, way of avoiding a night in either Paris or London. Some will mock the ferry, but we have used it for years on 2, 4 and no wheels and have had no problems...other than 1 ferocious storm! It worked very well as foot passengers, good transfers at each end to train 'hubs'. Commodore de luxe is the way forward!
The Caledonian Sleeper'...a far better offering than the Amsterdam Nightjet...is also a good option to get south, but again, is quite expensive, and you are then committed to using Eurostar to get to Paris or Amsterdam(the London-Amsterdam trains are being suspended later in the year due to building work in Amsterdam Centraal)
I used 'Trainline' to get most of the rail tickets, and used the e-tickets on my phone. This worked fine, but an unintended consequence was that the expired e-tickets disappeared off the app, which is making the 'delay-repay' claim difficult...in future I will get a photo/screenshot/print of the ticket.
We found european trains comfortable and clean...we did go 1st class when able, but the fabled timekeeping is mostly a myth; there are often delays, which means leaving plenty of time for connections. If you are careful you can get in time for extra attractions..Van Goch, Rembrandt and a cruise on Loch Zurich for example!
All of the trains have usb or 2 pin plugs for charging, I also carry a small power pack to use in an emergency
After years of holidaying out of panniers we are able to carry plenty of kit in a suicase each.
The tubes/trams in Amsterdam, Milan and Paris are a doddle; a contactless card is all you need. Actually, 2....you need one each..
We use a Monzo card, which you can load up as required through the app, I also have a Curve card...this means if it all goes wrong you will still have your UK debit or credit card hidden away in your knicker pocket; you can freeze the Monzo or Curve in a flash on your phone. You just need to be aware that these places are where the pickpockets ply their trade and use your nut. I kept just a few euros in my pocket, the bulk, and spare cards in a wallet with a loop for my belt, tucking the wallet over down inside your trouser. Trousers with zippy up pockets are handy...I use 5.11 or Champion. I also tether myself to my phone with a lanyard to prevent casual theft..or even just walking off and leaving it on the table.
Booking.com is an admirable way to organise accommodation, again you need to screw your loaf; one hotel in Italy last year got their system invaded by a scammer who emailed me pretending to be booking.com looking for card details...almost had me too!
All in all, rail is a comfortable and stress free way of getting about Europe. We both enjoy seeing as much as we can, and got down as far as Pisa without having to fret over a single toll! I'd rather be on a bike, but we have to piss with the cock we've got...!
Originally conceived as a surprise trip for Cherry's birthday, I managed to keep most of the details a secret!
I wouldn't bother again with the Nightjet from Amsterdam...at least until they get some new carriages. The principle is commendable, to get intra european passengers off short haul planes, and some of their other services get good write ups, but this one is work in progress.
European trips when you live in Scotland have by definition an extra layer of complexity because a day is essentially lost getting down. Unless you don't mind effing about at airports, parking, drop off, queues to take off your trouser belt etc etc. I do, particularly for short flights
The DFDS ferry to Amsterdam is a good, if expensive, way of avoiding a night in either Paris or London. Some will mock the ferry, but we have used it for years on 2, 4 and no wheels and have had no problems...other than 1 ferocious storm! It worked very well as foot passengers, good transfers at each end to train 'hubs'. Commodore de luxe is the way forward!
The Caledonian Sleeper'...a far better offering than the Amsterdam Nightjet...is also a good option to get south, but again, is quite expensive, and you are then committed to using Eurostar to get to Paris or Amsterdam(the London-Amsterdam trains are being suspended later in the year due to building work in Amsterdam Centraal)
I used 'Trainline' to get most of the rail tickets, and used the e-tickets on my phone. This worked fine, but an unintended consequence was that the expired e-tickets disappeared off the app, which is making the 'delay-repay' claim difficult...in future I will get a photo/screenshot/print of the ticket.
We found european trains comfortable and clean...we did go 1st class when able, but the fabled timekeeping is mostly a myth; there are often delays, which means leaving plenty of time for connections. If you are careful you can get in time for extra attractions..Van Goch, Rembrandt and a cruise on Loch Zurich for example!
All of the trains have usb or 2 pin plugs for charging, I also carry a small power pack to use in an emergency
After years of holidaying out of panniers we are able to carry plenty of kit in a suicase each.
The tubes/trams in Amsterdam, Milan and Paris are a doddle; a contactless card is all you need. Actually, 2....you need one each..
We use a Monzo card, which you can load up as required through the app, I also have a Curve card...this means if it all goes wrong you will still have your UK debit or credit card hidden away in your knicker pocket; you can freeze the Monzo or Curve in a flash on your phone. You just need to be aware that these places are where the pickpockets ply their trade and use your nut. I kept just a few euros in my pocket, the bulk, and spare cards in a wallet with a loop for my belt, tucking the wallet over down inside your trouser. Trousers with zippy up pockets are handy...I use 5.11 or Champion. I also tether myself to my phone with a lanyard to prevent casual theft..or even just walking off and leaving it on the table.
Booking.com is an admirable way to organise accommodation, again you need to screw your loaf; one hotel in Italy last year got their system invaded by a scammer who emailed me pretending to be booking.com looking for card details...almost had me too!
All in all, rail is a comfortable and stress free way of getting about Europe. We both enjoy seeing as much as we can, and got down as far as Pisa without having to fret over a single toll! I'd rather be on a bike, but we have to piss with the cock we've got...!
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Yo! Just got an email! £29.10 refund from LNER! Paid direct to my bank!
