Was the freestyle a good idea?

Vienna confuses me. It’s just too large to turn up without planning. Especially when you’re trave fatigued. I’m back on plan – kind of. My train to Bp is booked for tomorrow. My night train is booked for Wednesday. I have my own cabin this time. Two nights are booked in Bp for 149 Euros for the two nights using all my points (they slapped 35 quid local taxes on this, as I found out later!)

Thursday is a grand looking hotel 2.2Km from Gara de Nord in Bucharest. I selected the no breakfast option because I’m gold and should have breakfast included anyway. That will be week 3!

There was point on my way back from Bratislava when my station stop was very close to the hotel. It was too late and I took the next stop. Back to Google maps! In the end, I walked to the train station to sort things out. This was a good outcome. Next step, no more steps. I’m taking public transport. Let’s fire up Moovit! It never lets me down! But Vienna doesn’t make sense. Wien is the place I’ve been least prepared for – ever! it deserves another trip after some research. Perhaps this place is great, and I’m just used to other great places.

I couldn’t leave without a swim in the pool next to the Danube. It was something that needed to happen. Food is something that needed to happen. I’m sitting outside next to the Danube on a lovely evening. I could have gone for the restaurant menu, but instead I went for the bar menu and a separate area. Fish ‘n’ chips it was! More like french fries and three large gougons, but very welcome. A pint of Zipfer is keeping me company for 6 Euro which could have been Swiss prices. It is really nice watching the cruise and working boats sail up and down the river. Te mood was briefly disturbed by a grumpy grey haired, red faced South African man. That’s the second time he’s blown his nose. he had quibbles about something and he’s still adgitated. THIRD time! perhaps he’s having a bad day.

It would be nice to share this with someone, but I’m fine just being. I’m relaxed. That’s what I’m here for. And finally do the trip I needed to do. Sure, it could have been cheaper, but it could have cost a lot more. Paying for beers in Swiss could have been given a miss, but there have been memories and I can justify my time

Geeze. I’m going to wake up in Romania on Thursday! I’d better get the maps out.

My hadnwrittin glooks like I’ve revovered from a stroke. This is what stopped me expressing my thoughts. Perhaps my thoughts have bad handwritting! I could never express myself.

I’m pretty cool about moving on tomorrow. I have 2.5hrs in first class.

There’s an entertaining group near me. A chatty, slightly pissed American guy with a quite bloke in a wheelchair and his 14yr old lad. “Ass sex, or animal sex?!” What?

Rage Against the Machine on the phone was entertaining. I’d be happy for the evening to last longer, but two pints is enough and I need to look after this last half.

Breakfast will be large and long in the morning.