Railway Dog

Yesterday Baspie the dog and I agreed that much as we like snuggling in a sleeping bag together, there are temperatures below which it isn’t an effective strategy. -3C was too low.

Sub zero was forecast again. So we let the tent defrost and dry in the sunshine, and snuggled some more. We had some brunch and researched options. Bye bye Maastricht.

We headed over the border. In my head Germany is all efficiency and promptness. We discovered the rail network hasn’t heard about this. All our trains were either delayed or cancelled. This meant we even got on the wrong one accidentally as it was going to the right place at the right time, but it was a delayed stopping service taking twice as long. Oh joy!

Leanings from the day:

1) pay attention to the train numbers, that they match your plans.

2) “Where are we?” is a handy phrase to learn in any language Interrailing. Platforms can have hardly any signs or info.

3) don’t put important items in your picnic food bag. There was a rush to get off when the crowded train was at a change station but no signs or announcements said so. My coat and hat were left behind with our food in the overhead rack.

4) dogs don’t have to pay on German regional trains (which are also less liable to cancellation) and no one expected Jasper to wear his muzzle 💕

5) if rail apps don’t want to show you the scenic route down the East side of the Rhine coz it’s slower, then just get on it anyway. As long as you’ve booked to go from Koln to Koblenz, who’s arguing?

6) when I’m stressed and faffing I miss the views. It also doesn’t help if there’s graffiti on the windows. The cure: at the next stop gather your stuff, jump out and change carriages, breathing deep and slow in your new seat.