14th August 2019 – My camera has gone. I’ll write about the bus trip when I feel better.

That’s the Chromebook in Budapest – Wein and my camera and power bank on the Basel – Strasbourg train. Both could have been avoided. I’m sitting in my very nice French hotel bar and trying to keep it together. On another day I’d think this place was amazing. If I didn’t have plans to meet the parents in Lille, I’d be planning my trip on the E-star now.

Things are just things. I’m sure I can claim on my insurance. Pictures are just pictures. How did I become so careless? The camera was charging on the seat next to me. There’s no way I would have just left it. I fucked up. And that’s nit why I feel bad. All of this could have been avoided. Perhaps, just perhaps lost property have it. They didn’t have it when I went back and checked. Who would want my fucking camera. I got up at 0540 for this? I can’t be arsed to look at any sights. I’ll just find a bar or two and settle in. FUCK.

Travelling is tough. You get tired and complacent. I don’t know what happened to a woman on the bus, but she lost money and sold her mobile phone for the bus ticket. I suspect she had a bad time. But, arhhhhhhhgggggggg.

Fingers crossed, someone will have a heart and realise that they have my holiday pics. I need to find a usb charger now, otherwise II’m off-line.

It’s 1718: for the rest of the day, drink and food. I need a cash machine and somewhere to buy a charger. How could I do that to my camera? We’d been together for weeks. This one is coming back. it has to come back. The Chromebook, I’ll write off as careless, but the camera hurts. All I had to do was look after my fucking camera. This is the time I feel alone. A bit of empathy from lost and found would have helped a little. I’ll keep this to myself. Any halfhearted attempts at what they think empathy is will make it worse. Unless something wonderful happens, this has taken the gloss off this trip.

I’m not going to chat and mix with people. There’s no-one to speak to about it. This is me, doing what I do best, being alone in another country. I’ve very close to the station. At least that’s a good thing. There’s no effort in dropping by in the morning. I have to try. Then I’ll fill in a form. That should help with the insurance.

I’m going to let go of this. It’s up to me if I get in a mood. What’s the point of that? No point. I’m going to look for another beer and food. Everything I want a picture of is on the Web already, and better.

Writing really does help.

It must have been nicked. I don’t see how I went from a window seat to an aisle seat and not picked both of them up. I think the Metor Pils may be strong. 2 x 25ml and I know about it. Time for a wander. I’m going to show more empathy to people now. Now for a cash machine and a charger.

I found both. In other towns, finding a place that would sell a charger was quite hard. Dixons and PC World don’t exist. I found a mobile accessory shop and asked. 8 Euros bought me a usb charger, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

I went back to lost and found, where the man was more understanding this time.

Strasbourg is wonderful. The cathedral is jaw dropping. The size and the detail is just so over designed. I took a few pictures on my phone, but few cameras would do it justice.

I’ve settled on somewhere to eat. I could have walked around for ages. I have a view of the spire, but the seat could have been better. People are walking past. I’ve ordered beef fillet and 33cl of Picon to drink. The Picon tastes much better thank in Lyon, or it could be that I know what to expect this time.

Hostelworld has given me somewhere good to stay. 60 Euros a night has saved me the hassle of bus tickets and the like. This is another place without obvious Brits.

I’ve locked myself out of my room. The key must be in there somewhere.

I could have seen Eels in Zurich yesterday. How could I have made that error!? I’m thinking about going to a music festival in Paris on the 23rd and seeing them there.

I’ve ordered anothet Picon and Black Forest cake. After this, I must go back and get in to my room, before more beer. Today is a designated drinking day!

I don’t know if I’m tired or not. 26 hours on a bus must take it’s toll.

It’s tomorrow now. I wasn’t in too bad a shape. Breakfast was very nice. There was hot chocolate, bread, cheese, cake, coffee, hot chocolate, and more. I tried the train station for my camera. I wish the bloke from yesterday was there. I’ll try once more just in case.