Philip of Staines

Looks like I missed out this year!

Now, this journey is inspiring me...

Home sweet home! Living opposite the station is a first class ticket all of its own...

Trains flashing around everywhere - just like Mumbai, but with the doors closed...

Waterloo International - due to a fire alert, Waterloo Underground was closed, but a brisk walk from Lambeth North soon had me back on track.

St. Pancras International - on time and I'm at the front of the train.

Well, England...

Lunch is served. Well, half a lunch.

After a bit of flirtation, we finally slip onto the high speed line near a place called Silly.

The scenery is looking prettier than usual, but that's because we're diverted via the classic line due to engineering works.

Off we go...

Hmm... I wonder if it will work?

After experiencing the overcrowded terminals at St. Pancras and Paris Nord, Brussels is the clear winner when it comes to Eurostar departure halls. And that's saying something...

Soon, we are in Brussels.

The new units are spacious inside, but could do with a carpet and proper seat covers. A buffet would be nice too. And they're quite noisy.

A mercifully short change at Amsterdam Zuid, a truly miserable place to wait for a train. No Albert Heijn, no Smullers, just two kiosky places and virtually nowhere to sit. It must be a delight in winter.

Thank you!

50 minutes late or so, but just in time to make my onward connection at Amersfoort.

Goedemorgen!

"Have your passport ready, open your compartment door", but no one ever came - and no one said to stand down either.

Welcome to Germany - and woken up for %^£*#^ passport control!

Gute nacht!

I remember that from my trip in April, in the sleeping car. But I didn't know it was a feature!

I loved that dining car so much!

Once most people are in bed, the car takes on a more peaceful atmosphere. Just like a morgue.

Plenty of room - plus a kissing hatch to next door.

Tonight I'm in the mini-cabins. Every passenger gets a locker and an airtight repository for their shoes. But it takes a while for staff to issue key cards, so there's a lot of luggage in the aisle.

Brooding over on platform 7, the Nightjet to Amsterdam was ready for boarding.

Back at Hbf, I noticed the Porta Moravica had arrived on time from Przemysl. I had considered taking this, but it felt a bit of a risky connection. It turned that I made a good choice - the dining car had not been attached...

Unfortunately the OeBB Lounge was closed for refurbishment and the 'ersatzlounge' on the lower level was not very good. So I hopped over to the one at Miedling, where all my needs were taken care off.