Today’s been another one where I’ve hardly left Bigland Towers due to work and the weather. Work because I’m still wading through 1000s of pictures from my recent travels as well as slowly getting used to a new laptop and software. To be honest, it’s lovely to have a new machine that doesn’t throw the odd spanner in the works just when I need to rely on it. But then my old machine was battle-weary. It’s been to dozens of countries and covered hundreds of thousands of miles whilst seeing almost daily use in all climates and conditions, so I can forgive it. Hopefully, my new machine will prove to be just as reliable and capable then my old one can be put out to pasture as a backup once it’s had some TLC.
Most of my day’s been spent picture editing whilst acting as Butler to Dawn whilst she’s been slaving away in her little office. Part of my job’s been to keep her supplied with coffee, lunch and the odd treat. Tonight was something a little more exotic as I batch cooked a fiery Thai green curry with chicken whilst Dee wrapped up her day and headed for a bath.
I had hoped to get more than my basic 12.5k (5 mile) steps in but the weather really wasn’t encouraging and I didn’t fancy getting soaked – or blown away! Gales are forecast for the weekend but the weather decided to get some practice in this afternoon, when it got really rather blowy, which can be ‘fun’ when you’re walking through old woodland. You’re always keeping eyes and ears open just in case a branch comes crashing down on the unwary. It’s why I never go out wearing headphones.
Now it’s evening time. We’re fed and watered (and in Dawn’s case – bathed) so it’s time to relax with a film before another busy day tomorrow. I’ll leave you with one of today’s edited images from Poland.
An ex-Polish railways TY51 class 2-10-0 steam engine plinthed at Rzepin station. 242 of these engines were built by H. Cegielski in Poznan between 1953-58. They were withdrawn from PKP regular service in the 1980s but were included in the strategic reserve (intended to haul military trains) and many were kept operational until 1990.
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My plan to blog throughout this trip fell at the first hurdle. Whilst I’m in 1st Class on the Polish run ‘Berlin – Warsaw express’ there’s no wifi on board. Well, unless you use the buffet and on this train laptops are banned from there! Admittedly, it is a little more swanky than the last PKP catering vehicle I was in where they were allowed. This one has padded seats but no places to perch that aren’t sit down tables for dining. Ah, well. I’ll do what I can on my phone. As I’d not had chance to try Polish food and this was my last chance I treated myself to the Pierogi (stuffed dumplings) which were really rather good.
Lots of seats for eating, but nowhere to perch if you’re just having something to drink.
I’m not staying on the express all the way to Berlin. I’m not in that much of a rush so I’m going to change a couple of times, first at Rzepin, then at Kostrzyn. This will allow me to sample a few different trains en-route to Berlin-Mahlsdorf. Not that it’s the end of the journey as I’m actually staying just outside Potsdam. When Innotrans is on Berlin hotel prices go through the roof but if you’re prepared to be flexible and travel a little you can get some far better deals.
Right now I’m two hours into the first train journey, which is fine, apart from the lack of wifi – and tables. I’m seated in an old-fashioned compartment. Well, the coach itself is very modern, it’s merely the seating layout. The UK did away with compartment stock donkeys years ago. But they’re still popular in Europe.
The trip’s traversed gently undulating farmland via a couple of main railway junctions. I’m beginning to miss hills, I haven’t seen any on this trip at all so far. The most popular crop I see out of the train windows seems to be maize. It’s everywhere, but I’m unsure if its grown for human consumption or as animal feed although to be honest – I haven’t seen that many farm animals.
15:30.
I abandoned my swish 1st Class train at a small station called Rzepin. The station may be quiet but it’s an important railway junction with wide fans of freight sidings and a locomotive depot full of shunting engines – the sort of thing that’s unheard of in the UK nowadays. The depot still retains a turntable and small roundhouse. This trip on a regional EMU to Kostrzyn takes a little over 30 mins. Even though it’s a quiet rural train stopping at all stations I had my Interrail ticket and passport checked. The passport check was to confirm the validity of my ticket.
16:25.
Phew! Made it…
My inbound stopper was late and with a tight connection I didn’t even have time to grab any pictures. Kostryzn station’s on two levels and the Berlin train goes from ‘upstairs’ but you have to go up and down a footbridge first!
16:50.
We’re now heading along a single track branch line towards Berlin, passing through semi-derelict stations, some with enormous defunct buildings that have outlived their usefulness, like Munchenburg. Others have history boards which remind me of the work community rail volunteers do back in the UK.
21:30.
Our trip into Berlin was greeted by black skies and a torrential rainstorm that lasted just a few minutes before the skies cleared back to blue. I wasn’t sad to leave the train as the air cobditioning had been struggling for most of the trip, making it a sweaty one. Due to engineering work on DB’s central corrider through Berlin from East to West I had to make the entire journey to Charlottenburg from Lichtenburg by S-bahn. Only then could I catch a ‘proper’ train for the last 35 minute trip to Werder, where I’m staying. I have six nights in an extremely nice villa – but there’s no wifi, so you’ll have to wait for pictures until tomorrow. Well, apart from this one!
I think I’ll have coffee on my private balcony in the morning. It’s through those curtained doors.
Tomorrow I’ll be at the Innotrans preview, but before I do I’ll flesh this blog out with a few more pictures. We’ll be finished early in the afternoon, so I’ll post pictures of what’s on show as soon as I can. The full show begins on Tuesday, which is when the madness starts…
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
I’m staying in Warsaw until 11:00 tomorrow when I move on to Berlin, so I have a full day to explore the city. The weather’s gorgeous with clear blue skies. The temperature is due to hit 21 degrees, so I’m out exploring. My first destination was the old town which was half an hour’s walk away. That time wasn’t wasted as I got to see the more of the modern city. I have to say, I’m impressed with Warsaw. The quality of its transport infrastructure puts many UK cities to shame. Especially the provision for cycling. But then, that’s been 6. 3off the idea that the only way to get around it by car – and they’re all much nicer places for it. Unfortunately, there’s still a mindset in Britain that car’s should come first and any attempt to provide safe and attractive options for pedestrians and cyclists is an ‘attack on the motorist’.
5i made it to to the old town early, so as to avoid the tourist hordes. Most bars and restaurants were still closed which gave me the opportunity to take pictures of nearly empty streets. The architecture and artwork of the old town is gorgeous, even more so when you realise that it’s been painstakingly recreated. During world war 2 the old town was razed to the ground by the Nazis in retaliation for the Warsaw Uprising. 85% of it was destroyed. There’s many plaques on buildings explaining their significance during t53hose awful, brutal times. I’ve a whole selection of pictures to edit when I get the time, but here’s a few for now.
After experiencing the darker side of human history I encountered something completely different. I hadn’t realised, but Warsaw was hosting the annual international tram driving competition. Imagine ‘it’s a knockout’ with trams! Teams form 26 countries (including the UK, who sent a team from Croydon) compete on various challenges which show off their skills in driving trams. It’s wonderful. Warsaw had turned it into a big event with displays of old trams and buses and lots of family activities. Thousands of people turned up.
Tram skittles!
the event was so much fun that I changed my plans to hang around, watch and take pictures. Next year the event is in Luxembourg in July.
Right, that’s all for now. The flaky wifi here in the hotel won’t let me add more. I’ll (hopefully) blog from the train to Berlin tomorrow.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
Typical! The day the rain stops is the day I’m on the move again!
I was woken early this morning by the sound of military jets in the skies above Vilnius. It’s easy to forget that the Lithuanian capital is only a few miles away from Belarus, part of Russia. The Russians have been getting increasingly aggressive in their attitude towards NATO countries. Sending drones and sabotage teams over various countries borders. The idea that Putin is no threat is not one that’s held in the Baltic states. The Ukrainian flag is on display everywhere around town. Even the buses carry this message on their PIS screens.
As my train didn’t didn’t leave until 12:20 I had time to have another wander around the old town, only this time in the sunshine. Here’s a couple of pictures.
I do love a good market and this one in the old town is redolent with the smell of smoked meats, pickles and spices. Many buildings could do with some TLC. Plenty are receiving it – just not this one, yet.My train to Warsaw, which is of the same type that’s taken me all the way from the Estonian border, through Latvia to here. This particular services runs all the way to Krakow, via Warsaw with a change of train at Mockava.
14:05.
We’ve stopped twice on the trip so far. First at the busy junction and freight yards at Kaunas, where we picked up so many passengers that we’re almost full – then at the small town and junction of Kazlų Rūda. My table bay of four now has three occupants, of which I’m one. But, I have a window seat, a power socket and wifi, so I’m content. We’re gradually leaving the built up and more industrial areas behind to head out across open fields, which makes a change as the railways in this part of the world are often hemmed in by trees. I’ve just watched a pair of deer bound away from the tracks!
My fellow passengers seem to be mostly locals of all ages with a smattering of older travellers like me. The atmosphere is relaxed and the two young women stewards both helpful and efficient.
We’ve just called at the wonderfully ornate station at Marijampole. The station building is a delight. The area also boasts extensive freight yards full of grain wagons (there’s some massive grain silos here) and tank wagons – although I haven’t got a clue what they carry. Lithuanian railways are fascinating as (unlike the UK) most industrial sites still have a rail connection. Some are disused, but they still exist.
15:25.
We arrived at Mockava Spot on time. A swift cross platform interchange saw us go from a crowded 3-car multiple unit to a far more expansive locomotive hauled train run by Polish railways (PKP).
14:45.
We’re currently stopped at Kierunek, where a posse of Polish Immigration officers and military have checked everyone’s passports. We’re in the territory of the Suwalki gap, which has gained greater significance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
16:15.
Polish railways are like stepping back in time. We’ve not seen anything like this in the UK since the 1980s. Imagine a loco-hauled train of half a dozen coaches – one of which is a buffet car! Said buffet car serves freshly cooked meals from pans. None of this ‘prick and ping’ microwave stuff! At Suwalki we stopped for a good 20 minutes so the the engine could run round the train. Now we’re bowling through the countryside along a railway followed by telegraph poles.
The buffet car counter on my Polish train.Arrived. We had an engine change from diesel to electric at Bialystok where this modern EU160 was attached for the final leg.
It took me 25 minutes to walk to my hotel in central Warsaw, partly because the place was packed with people. It being Friday night a lot of young people were out on the town. The city certainly seems to have a vibrant nightlife, although as a solo traveller that’s not something I’m partaking of. Instead, it was a trip to the local Lidl to stock up on food for the kitchenette I share with another room at the hotel, have a video call with Dawn, then work at my desk sorting out pictures. Unfortunately, the hotel wifi’s a bit flaky, which is hindering these updates. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
I’ve a small favour to ask… If you enjoy reading this or any of the other blogs I’ve written, please click on an advert or two. You don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to of course – although if you did find something that tickled your fancy that would be fab! – but the revenue from them helps me to cover some of the cost of maintaining this site (which isn’t cheap and comes out of my own pocket). Remember, 99% of the pictures used in my blogs can be purchased as prints from my other website – https://paulbigland.zenfolio.com/
