GRJ - Great Rail Journey

 Well, what can I say ... or write. The train adventure was all that I hoped for and so much more.

Now back, feeling renewed with so many wonderful memories to cherish and a general sense of well being from sharing time with some amazing travelling companions.

Many years ago my business strap line was " Life's a journey - enjoy". And that is what we did.

setting off from Glasgow

This time however, I am embracing a different kind of journey, very much into the unknown. seeking to be a brave traveller and visit a country I have never been to before, with people I have never met, on various trains for many hours at a time. Who knew what would happen! Certainly not me...

I won't be sharing all my photos, you will be glad to know. Just a few to let you catch a glimpse of how much fun and laughter was to be had while we travelled through some of the most amazing scenery Switzerland has to offer.

My wonderful journey began with meeting the rest of the travelling group at St Pancras station. There were 23 of us in the party and I was lucky enough to meet Gail and Greg an that first day. Two other single travellers who had, like me, embraced the courageous decision of travelling "solo" although we were surrounded by wonderful people. However, we didn't know that when we set out. 

Here we are, the three Musketeers. Enjoying a morning stroll in Strasbourg. The first stop on our journey to the Swiss border.

There weren't many free times to stroll, as the whole trip for me involved 22 trains! That was including the 4 return trips from West Kilbride to London and back.

More of the return journey to Scotland later...

Strasbourg was a lovely city and wandering around the cobbled streets gave us an insight to its importance on the European political stage. 

My original intention was to travel totally on my own, however common sense prevailed and I joined the Great Rail Journey package and met wonderful pals to share the adventure with ... and lots of photos. It has only just dawned on me if I had been the solitary traveller I had intended to be, I would have missed out on so many celluloid memories, as well as some candid camera ones of me!

cobbled street

Thank you to everyone for sharing the photos especially to Greg, who started the photo sharing fest in Strasbourg with the whatsapp group... of course we had one. Doesn't everyone?

Many of the photos I share have come from other eagle eyed photographers.

Some are inspiring and some, as you will see were impromptu snaps of Eileen enjoying herself... just in case you were even in doubt

Sonja and me

Time to move on and next stop was Chur which is the hub for the two Swiss train journeys that are a must. The Bernina Express and the Glacier Express. This last one is the slowest express train in the world! I have video footage of these journeys and would be pleased to share them. Just give me a call and we can chat about train journeys I have loved...

Now here is a compilation of photos to make you smile, as well as the ones of me grinning like a Cheshire cat. Many were taken by Greg but there is one taken by Gail and you can guess which one...

on top of the world

Apologies for the photo fest but be grateful I am only sharing some of them.  The Matterhorn is essential viewing and our short stay of 3 days in Zermatt wasn't long enough.

The Matterhorn

Finishing off the photos with a group photo in Zermatt and yes it was Greg that took it

So the adventurer returned full of stories, having been surrounded by the kindness of many strangers, who gelled together to make a very special time for us all. Mega thanks go to our tour guide Madeleine, who worked tirelessly to make our journey as smooth as possible. Thank you also to those of you who shared laughter and companionship in equal measure. 

It was indeed a holiday of a lifetime.

Now for a Post Script!

Euston station 1st class lounge

Arrived late into London on Sunday 24th May and got myself into a bit of trouble as I couldn't work the self service hotel registration. Eventually got some assistance and went to room, exhausted and slept well despite no air conditioning in the room! woke up early and looked for my train ticket that was usually with my passport. No passport and no train ticket to Glasgow...

Disaster, however lesson learned from previous night, find someone to help and sure enough I had left my documents at reception. Sorted... as I thought.

Walked to Euston Station, no ticket but not to worry as I had a screen shot on my phone..

No phone! I had left it in the hotel room as I panicked over the passport.

Another walk to retrieve phone and then return to station... to enjoy the 1st Class lounge accommodation and breakfast... and take a moment to breathe before my penultimate train journey to home .

So, having travelled many miles without a mishap, I fall at the last hurdle. It seems I made the right decision not to travel to Switzerland on my own.

                        Missing all you wonderful people who made my journey so enjoyable.