Join me on my train trip from Torquay to Berlin today, via Newton Abbot, London Paddington, London Kings Cross/St Pancras, Bruxelles and Cologne🚞🚅🚇🚄🚄🚄

It’s a bit of a stretch, so I got up a little early to catch the 6:02 out of Torquay 😅

Upside of the early train: stunning morning views over the Teign, Exe and Lyme Bay 🌅😍

Made it fine to the Eurostar Terminal at St Pancras, stocked up on vegan snacks and now awaiting boarding.

I wish the Eurostar went every hour at least in the mid-morning. I could have shaved off a full hour. Better safe than sorry with the planned buffer, but I would not have taken a later train to get here.

Anywaaaaay, this is loads nicer than the Eurostar Brussels waiting area.

Lunch service on the Eurostar was fabulous and the vegan lunch option very tasty. It’s one of the best things about this trip 🥰

Then made it to Brussels easy. My connecting train left one platform over and transferring was a matter of maybe 20 steps and two short flights of stairs. Even my coaches were close 🥳

The incoming train was a little delayed but we are leaving on time. Let’s hope it stays that way 🙏

Next stop: Cologne!

Transfer in Cologne was a bit chaotic, but given all the construction on tracks around here and the double booking of tracks causing blockages, no real surprise. But comms would have helped.

I’m in my expected train and can relax, but we’ll be 30–40 minutes late. It’s totally fine.

I had a chance to enjoy Cologne Cathedral a little longer.

With nearlrly eleven hours on the go, I’m getting a little tired. But nothing like a Ruhrpott special to get me going again 🥱🍟🌭 🥰
The benefit of a full day train trip, I also get nice sunset pics. #BahnRomantik

I’m arriving in Berlin about an hour late due to various factors on the last leg. All in all a great trip, I’m ready for bed now 😅

Can’t quite believe I was in London earlier, let alone Torquay, ~1400 kms away 🗺️

I still prefer this over flying, I just wish this was more affordable 💸

Thanks for watching all 👋

@janl good work, I planned a London-Zürich a few years back - €520 by train €85 by plane 😬 I do wish it was more affordable.
@oisin we’re paying the difference in taxes
@janl hat die DB vegane Majo?

@janl Ruhrpott looks good!

(New word to me, I like it.)