Spirits not dampened...

I'm telling you I was totally spark out when we arrived in Mainz in Germany yesterday  evening after two days of non stop train and ferry. I would have been happy to rest in the hotel room (especially since it was raining the proverbial) but the man at reception had gone to the trouble of finding a nice "hundefreundlich" local restaurant for Gail and she insisted it would be rude if I didn't join her.

So the day before we had had a soggy walk across London from St Pancras station to Liverpool Street.

Then  the overnight ferry across the wet (obvs) North Sea,

Followed by a damp interlude between trains in Utrecht,

And a scenic but rain splattered view of the Rhine Gorge from the train window.

Let's hope the sun puts in an appearance when we reach our final destination at Michael and Renate's home in Bavaria later today...

Images from the long, long journey home to Aberdeen

Up early to catch the train in Lugano

But not too early for the Swiss army cadets to be enjoying a beer (or several)...

As we enjoy scenic views of Lake Lucerne from the train window.

 In a park near Zurich Hauptbahnhof I meet 'Amigo', the first WFT I've seen since leaving the UK.

We change trains again in Frankfurt,

Where we are reminded of home.

After an overnight stay in Utrecht,

We say hi to a furry fellow passenger on the Sunday morning train to Amsterdam.

Gail and I are both by now feeling a little travel weary

But we are encouraged by seeing this poster.

At IJmuiden we say goodbye to continental Europe

And take the overnight ferry across the North Sea to Newcastle

Where I am less than impressed with my accommodation.

 Monday morning in Newcastle and I am too tired to go exploring (yes really!)

Finally, late afternoon, we're home sweet home in Aberdeen.

What a wonderfully brilliant trip!