Europe 2023

2 month continuous first class senior Interrail pass Read more

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Trip start
April 6, 2023
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Day 1
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 8:45 AM
☁️ 6 °C
Altitude: 58 m
Belgium Vossem 50.831973, 4.55910550°49’55” N 4°33’33” E
Zandvoort aan Zee & Amsterdam
April 6, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Pre trip visit to the Vermeer exhibition in Amsterdam.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 4:47 PM
🌧 8 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Netherlands Leidseplein 52.360789, 4.88649152°21’39” N 4°53’11” E
Vermeer
April 6, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
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Day 1
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 5:27 PM
🌧 8 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Netherlands Rijksmuseum Amsterdam 52.359809, 4.88433152°21’35” N 4°53’4” E
Vermeer 2
April 6, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
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Day 1
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 5:37 PM
🌧 8 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Netherlands Rijksmuseum Amsterdam 52.359604, 4.88437852°21’35” N 4°53’4” E
Vermeer 3
April 6, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
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Day 4
Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 11:45 AM
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: 57 m
Belgium Tervuren 50.8267, 4.522450°49’36” N 4°31’21” E
Lille (Rijsel)
April 9, 2023 in Belgium ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
316 bus from Home to Leuven.
Train Leuven to Ghent St. Peters
Train Ghent to Kortrijk (Courtrai)
Train Kortrijk to Lille Flandres
Hotel Chagnot, Lille https://www.booking.com/Share-NUu1RF (Cheryl)

A fabulous, warm, sunny Easter Sunday. Perfect for starting an adventure. Bus was on time and the train to Ghent was already on the platform. Set off with free space but filled up in Brussels so didn't see Cheryl even though she was in the train. Met up in Ghent where our next train was 14 minutes late. No danger of missing our train in Kortrijk though as it turns out we were already on it. The train splits at Kortrijk for Lille.

Hotel is right outside the station. Did some sightseeing. The Grand Place, Vielle Bours, P&T bell tower, and Palace des Beaux Arts.

Had a beer in Café Peacock, dinner in l'Abbaye, and dessert in le Napoleon.Read more
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Day 5
Monday, April 10, 2023 at 8:27 AM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 35 m
France Gare de Lille Europe 50.638932, 3.07600750°38’20” N 3°4’34” E
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Penzance, Newlyn, and Mousehole
April 10, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
9:30 Eurostar Lille to London St. Pancras, and yes, I did book seat 61.
Arrived at St. Pancras in good time for a full English at Weathespoons. Then the gods of transport struck. Got to Farringdon to find the Elizabeth line wasn't running so had to double back on the Circle line. My easy 10 minute trip to Paddington turned into 30 minutes and had me running to catch my train.
Managed it with 3 minutes to go and had a first class table for 4 all to myself to Exeter when a man claimed the window seat ☹️ Luckily he turned out to be good company. On his way to the Scilly isles to visit his wife's ashes, shades of Last Bus.
Arrived at Youth Hostel at 5:30 and set off to walk to Mousehole via a chippy in Newlyn. Saw a seal! 🦭 Only one, just her head sticking out of the water about 25 meters offshore, but definitely a seal.
Walked on to Mousehole and caught the bus back to the YH.
Everything down here is so pretty.Read more
TravelerDestination Penzance but Lille Europe station? Bon voyage!
4/10/23Reply
TravelerHow come you are on Day 5 already?
4/10/23Reply
TravelerDay 1 was Vermeer in Find Penguins.
4/10/23Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 9:00 AM
🌬 10 °C
Altitude: 29 m
England Penzance 50.118051, -5.55618450°7’5” N 5°33’22” W
St. Michael's Mount, St. Ives
April 11, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 10 °C
Lovely start to the day but then weather rapidly downhill. Walked into Penzance but then abandoned any other walks for the day.
Took bus to St. Michael's Mount, but tide is in and the sea is too rough for boats to cross.
Land's End open top double decker cruiser bus to St. Ives. Front third of the top deck was covered so I could site up there despite the rain.
St. Ives very beautiful with narrow lanes but loads of tourists despite the weather.
Visited Barbara Hepworth studio. Wonderful garden full of her works.Read more
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Day 6
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 1:07 PM
🌧 10 °C
Altitude: 27 m
England The Island 50.213157, -5.48089950°12’47” N 5°28’51” W
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St. Ives, Land's End
April 11, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
After the Hepworth museum visited Tate St. Ives which was also hosting a temporary Hepworth exhibition.

Then followed a two and a half hour trip again on the open topped double decker. The road was crazy! Barely wide enough for the bus to get down with traffic coming in the opposite direction! No wonder it takes so long. Can't imagine it in summer!
I think we went through some stunning scenery between St. Ives and Lands End. Unfortunately it was teeming down with 66 kph gusts. The covered top seats were taken but you couldn't see anything anyway.
At Land's End the bus stopped for 10 minutes. Just time to rush through the gale and take a photo at the sign post before rushing to get back on the bus.

Then on to Plymouth.Read more
Traveler Barbara Hepworth's garden - I love it!
4/11/23Reply
Traveler 🤩
4/11/23Reply
Traveler 😍
4/11/23Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 6:55 PM
🌬 10 °C
Altitude: 28 m
England Truro 50.268924, -5.05097250°16’8” N 5°3’3” W
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1 1
Plymouth to Glasgow
April 11, 2023 in England ⋅ 🌬 10 °C
The reason I overnighted in Plymouth instead of staying in Penzance? I got up at 7:45 and had a delicious Full English before catching the 9:27 instead of having to get up at 6 am and rush off to catch the 7:10 hungry.
Beautiful ride from Plymouth to Exeter along the sea shore and rivers Teign and Ex.
A basic Cross Country train from Plymouth to Birmingham. Then 2 wonderful Avanti West Coast trains to Preston and Glasgow. On the Preston train I got braised beef and dessert. On the Glasgow train I got braised beef and alcohol!
Arrived Glasgow at 7 pm. Hostel only 5 minutes walk from station. A shower and an early night. Got to take a train, ferry, and bus tomorrow.Read more
TravelerI like how one of your priorities is a full English every day 😊
4/12/23Reply
Traveler Lively building & not turned into a bingo hall, casino or Laser Quest! Yet.
4/12/23Reply
TravelerHas been closed down for 20 years after being busted for class A drugs.
4/12/23Reply
TravelerAh. What a pity. There is a similar theatre building in Halifax (minus the nautical theme) that is thriving
4/12/23Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:22 PM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Scotland Portree 57.411667, -6.1957°24’42” N 6°11’24” W
To the Isle of Skye
April 13, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
8:21 train from Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig to catch the ferry to Skye. An old 4 coach train with only 2nd class seating for a 5 hour ride ☹️
Supposed to be a trolley but only came through occasionally.
Still the sceinary was wonderful with bleak moorland, snow capped Munroe's and wide still lochs.
We even went over the Harry Potter viaduct.
The 40 minute ferry trip was smooth and calm. In arrival discovered that the bus wasn't running due to school holidays so had to hitch! Got a ride off a friendly local to a bus stop in the main road where a long distance bus was running.Read more
TravelerLocals are used to hitching due to lack of public transport
4/14/23Reply
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Day 9
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 2:01 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 40 m
Scotland Uig 57.591667, -6.37333357°35’30” N 6°22’24” W
1 1
Skye to North Uist, and back
April 14, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
What a great day! Woke up at 7:45 with only a vague idea of catching busses round the island. The 8:30 to Uig is the first to go so I hope on it. The driver asks me if I'm going to catch the ferry. A lightbulb goes ping 💡. A quick check shows there is a 9:30 ferry to Lochmaddy on North Uist. The only catch is it is also the last ferry back to Uig so I'll only have 5 minutes on North Uist.
The weather is wonderful, no wind, sun shining. On the way across I see a school of porpoises!
Once back in Uig there is a bus in 15 minutes to continue my loop round the top of the island, on single track roads! Arrive back in Portree and there is a coach to Kyleakin sitting in the bus station, so I get my bag from the hostel and I'm off.
Arrive at Saucy Mary's at 5 to find I have a dorm room all to myself. An evening stroll round this lovely fishing village and it's time for a pub meal of steak pie followed by sticky toffee pudding.Read more
Traveler Like a mirror!
4/14/23Reply
Traveler Very pretty 😍
4/14/23Reply
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Day 9
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 6:31 PM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Scotland Kyle Akin 57.271667, -5.72166757°16’18” N 5°43’18” W
Kyleakin
April 14, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
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Day 10
Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 6:21 PM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Scotland Caithness General Hospital 58.441667, -3.09666758°26’30” N 3°5’48” W
Kyle of Lochalsh to Wick
April 15, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
A 5 bed dorm all to myself, and the bus goes at 10. So the luxury of a good proper shower and clean up. Plus rearrange my bag. Looking forward to laundry on Shetland.
Bus takes 5 minutes to cross the bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh where there is a 2 hour wait for the train.
Train is a single class 2 carriage affair but amazingly my seat reservation is there! However it's an in interesting seat so I sit in a better one.
Train goes up the coast first so some nice sea views, then cross country. Nice rugged moorland country to Dingwall.
At Dingwall a similar train combination to Wick, partially up the West coast. Shame the tide is out. Landscape very different here. Lowlands, fields and green.
At Wick book into BnB for the night.Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 10:47 AM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Scotland John O' Groats 58.643333, -3.0758°38’36” N 3°4’12” W
Wick, John o'Groats
April 16, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Here I make my first discovery. There are no busses to John o'Groats on Sundays. After reviewing the alternatives (none) decide to hitch.
Book a 7:30 breakfast and hit the road at 8. There is a Tesco on the edge of town on the way so decide to hitch from there.
Within 15 minutes a van stops. The driver can take me half way. Another 5 minutes and another van takes me all the way to the John o'Groats car park!
Take lots of photo's and send a postcard to the kids. It's 6 km to the ferry terminal so I set of walking / hitching. Within 5 minutes I get a lift off a couple to the ferry terminal. From being worried this morning I'm now 2 hours early.Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 11:37 AM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Scotland Kirkwall 58.831667, -2.96333358°49’54” N 2°57’48” W
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To Kirkwall, Orkney
April 16, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
The 1 hour crossing is smooth as silk and soon I'm in St. Margaret's Hope. There's 50 minutes wait for the bus, but luckily a pub.
Bus to Kirkwall and find hostel which is about 1 km out of town.
Dump bags and head into town for some fish and chips and a mouch around.Read more
Traveler The sea is so calm!
4/16/23Reply
Traveler I remember clambering about in that castle. Did you go in?
4/16/23Reply
Traveler Nice shot!
4/16/23Reply
TravelerNot open today. I've got 2 days to visit it.
4/16/23Reply
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Day 12
Monday, April 17, 2023 at 8:56 AM
🌬 9 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Scotland Kirkwall 58.974283, -2.96344358°58’27” N 2°57’48” W
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Orkney
April 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 9 °C
Up early and off to see the sights which mostly lie on the X1 bus route. First off the Italian Chapel. Get there before it opens. Opens after 5 minutes and I have the place to myself. Back on the X1 and off to Maeshowe burial tomb.
Get off bus where Google maps indicates. I can see the tomb at the side of the road and a sign saying Visitor Centre 1 mile away. What's the point of that? Tomb is disappointing as there is a little cked grill across the entrance.
About 2 km away are the Stones of Stennen and Barnhouse neolithic village. About 2 km further is the ring of Dogmar . Very impressive stone circle which is very wide.Read more
Traveler Looks like you had the place to yourself!
4/17/23Reply
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Day 12
Monday, April 17, 2023 at 1:15 PM
🌬 12 °C
Altitude: 8 m
Scotland Ring of Brogar 59.000869, -3.23003259°0’3” N 3°13’48” W
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Orkney 2
April 17, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ 🌬 12 °C
,walk long way back to road and take bus to Stromness, but not impressed and head back to hostel.
Disappointed about Maeshowe and the fact there is no public transport to Skara Brae!
In the hostel talk to a woman staying there. She tells me the idea is you get off the bus at the visitor centre where you then ride to Maeshowe on a minibus with a guide who unlocks the grate, let's you in, and tells you all about the site. Decide to give it another go in the morning.
All goes as explained. 👍 No photos allowed inside though..
On the minibus I hear what looks like another tour operator mention Skara Brae. Later I ask our guide in a semi loud voice if there is any public transport to Skara Brae. We're going there says the other man, we'll give you a lift 👍
Gives me a lift via ring of Dogmar again.Read more
TravelerThe Ring of Brodgar is in a really special location!
4/17/23Reply
Traveler The days of the Soda Fountain are long gone
4/18/23Reply
Traveler Beautiful place with quite a disruptive story
4/18/23Reply
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Day 14
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 7:17 AM
☀️ 7 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Scotland North Ness 60.161667, -1.14666760°9’42” N 1°8’48” W
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Orkney to Shetland
April 19, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
Very impressed with Skara Brae. 5000 years old! Get lift to Stromness with same people and take X1 back to Kirkwall. Have a look round St. Mangus Cathedral and back to hostel to wait for 11 pm ferry.
Traveler Mr Rae is looking very casual or perhaps aiming for alluring?
4/19/23Reply
Traveler Whoa! You can just tell he wrote that himself...
4/19/23Reply
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Day 14
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 9:25 AM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Scotland Ware Geo 60.153333, -1.14166760°9’12” N 1°8’30” W
Shetland
April 19, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
The sailing from Orkney to Shetland is as smooth as silk. I find my chair put on my eye mask and away to sleep. Wake up at 6 in time for breakfast. Get off boat and soon find hostel. Dump backpack and off to explore.
Lerwick is a lovely little town, soon find DI Perez house.
Tourist information tell me it's the same bus for St. Ninians and Jarlshof. So off I go.Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 11:59 AM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Scotland Saint Ninian’s Bay 59.97, -1.34166759°58’12” N 1°20’30” W
St. Ninians
April 19, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Arrive at Bigton for St. Ninians. There is filming going on for Shetland but not on the beach fortunately.
The beach is amazing. Because of the way St. Ninians Isle affects the currents waves go both ways round the isle and meet up causing the beach to form. It's very odd to walk on a beach and hear waves on both sides of you.Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 3:31 PM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Scotland Scat Ness 59.868333, -1.29166759°52’6” N 1°17’30” W
Jarlshof
April 19, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
After 2 hours in the beach it's back on a bus to Sumbourgh, the southernmost tip of the island to visit Jarlshof which was first inhabited 4000 years ago. Then by the Vikings, then in medieval times, then middle ages. All building on top of each other.
Back on the bus and check-in at the hostel for a nap and dinner.
Make plans for morning. Think I'll get an early bus to ferry for Yell. Nothing I can do there really but wait an hour for ferry back 😁Read more
TravelerAre you communing with your Viking ancestors?
4/19/23Reply
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Day 15
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11:33 AM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 1,084 m
Scotland Nor Wick 60.808333, -0.80560°48’30” N 0°48’18” W
Islands, Ferries, and Buses.
April 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
So I start my plan, to Yell and back, by catching the 7:50 bus from outside the hostel to the ferry port to Yell. I expect to have to wait an hour for the ferry, but instead there's one pulling in. Only a 10 minute crossing. As I'm getting off a crew member says That's your minibus driver there.
Wasn't expecting that. Hop in and he drives me all the way across Yell to the ferry port for Unst where there is a ferry already waiting. He says he'll be waiting for me off the 4:45 ferry.
When the ferry docks there's another minibus waiting to drive to the northernmost part of the island. It's now 12. He says he'll be back at 4 to pick us up. How well organised is that.
Walk on from the bus stop to Norwick Bay. A beautiful beach with a fantastic graveyard over looking the sea. May ask my kids to scatter my ashes here so they can join the Viking winds to Valhalla.Read more
TravelerI see no polar bears yet.
4/20/23Reply
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Day 15
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 11:46 AM
☀️ 10 °C
Altitude: 1,118 m
Scotland Valsgarth 60.806667, -0.80333360°48’24” N 0°48’12” W
From Norwick Bay south to?
April 20, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C
Leave the bay and start to head south.....
First stop Britain's most northerly tea room where I have to catch the bus. But first, time for Tomato and basil soup with crusty fresh bread, followed by a cream tea with chili hot chocolate.
At 16:00 bus arrives at cafe as expected and it's the reverse trip back to Lerwick
Arrive back at the hostel about 7pm. I'm so tired I go straight to bed.Read more
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Day 16
Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:29 AM
☀️ 9 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Scotland Holm Sound 60.151667, -1.11560°9’6” N 1°6’54” W
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Last Day in Shetland.
April 21, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C
Check out of the hostel at 10. Leave my bags there to pick up later. Plans for today are Bressay island and the museum.
But first I walk past the New Harbour Café. I'm not planning to go in, but I see it's full of fock workers whichust be a good sign. So I use up the last of my English money and have a full English.
Then the 10 minute ferry to Bressay. There's nothing to do there but sit by the water, drink tea, and admire Lerwick. It's wonderful.
Back to Lerwick on the ferry and pick up my bag at the hostel. 2 hours to kill before the ferry to Aberdeen leaves so I visit the Shetland museum.Read more
Traveler?
4/20/23Reply
Traveler Molly's cousin!
4/21/23Reply
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Day 17
Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 6:42 AM
☀️ 5 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Scotland Aberdeen Ferry Port 57.143333, -2.07833357°8’36” N 2°4’42” W
Lerwick to Edinburgh
April 22, 2023 in Scotland ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C
Ferry to Aberdeen with a stop in Kirkwall. On the way go past Fair Isle.
Another smooth as silk crossing. That's 12 ferry crossings in Scotland and they've all been smooth and flat as a snooker table.
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