The Great Circular European Railway Challenge

[Glenmutchkin]

Glen: What is "VT"?

Virtual Tourist. Isn't that where we met you?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

ta, I'll put all the suggestions onto my budapest page whch I just started
http://gcerc.wordpress.com/food/budapest/
this page, and the other shopping lists, will obviously get edited until the day we leave.
I currently have an estimate of 2.5Kgs per head for a 36 hour train run, not including any chocolates and stuff, which is 5 1/2 pounds in imperial. I havent a clue if thats way too much, but we'll want to over buy, doing it like this is going to be way way cheaper than eating any other way.

here's my first estimate. anyone know a caterer or nutritionist ?

500g bread
500g meats & cheeses
200g nibbles (e.g. olives, pickled watermelon etc)
500g salad, cucumbers and tomatoes and whatever else is going
200g cake or similar
4 pieces or 500g fruit

That sounds like an awful lot. We aren't going to be burning up too many calories on the actual trains.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Virtual Tourist. Isn't that where we met you?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


That sounds like an awful lot. We aren't going to be burning up too many calories on the actual trains.

yeah i know it does, but we've got to tackle this. I probably need to halve all that but it is a whole day and most of another on all 3.
it's all very well saying "every man for himself", but most of the gang will have never done anything quite like this, and I know for at least 2 of these there is sod all other than crisps and coffee. And also, we'll be able to cover more weird foods if we do it as a group.
but yes, 6 pounds of food, that's quite a lot for a day and a half
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Bodo/Narvik is going to be an important re-stocking too,
Stockholm also though we only need 13 hours worth
Berlin isnt critical I guess as long as you ate the breakfast, but we are going to be on the train for lunch, so we ought to do something typically German if we can. I think there's a bordrestaurant on it though.
the Italy day can probably be done with individual take outs, we'll get breakfast in the hostel in Ljubljana, as can Spain and Portugal.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Fully agree that we need to be organised, just don't want to get home 2 stone heavier than when I left.

I thought that there was a plan to make Ljubljana a sparrowfart start to give us more time in Venice.

 

[Mark_Lester]

I thought that there was a plan to make Ljubljana a sparrowfart start to give us more time in Venice.

Well, it's a five to six departure. I guess the thing is if someone refuses to get out of bed then they can get the later train.
But we should still be able to graze our way through the day. We'll be getting the full Italian treatment the following day with this Peck picnic.

 

[Donbacsi]

A nutritionist? What about a mixologist? You left out all the booze! Wine, beer, palinka.
I suggest you also get at least one side of the very dense and meaty fustolt szollona (smoked bacon) which you can slice off and munch on for breakfast or whenever. This will keep you from gettin bound up after hour/days/weeks of doing nothing but sitting and riding. Very yummy. But it brings up another question. Does anyone know if you can bring bacon, pork sausages or similar into the non-EU but marginally Islamic Turkey? For that matter, what about booze?
Glen: It was TripAdvisor.

Always remember:

If it falls to the ground, it goes to the hound.

 

[Mark_Lester]

A nutritionist? What about a mixologist? You left out all the booze! Wine, beer, palinka.
I suggest you also get at least one side of the very dense and meaty fustolt szollona (smoked bacon) which you can slice off and munch on for breakfast or whenever. This will keep you from gettin bound up after hour/days/weeks of doing nothing but sitting and riding. Very yummy. But it brings up another question. Does anyone know if you can bring bacon, pork sausages or similar into the non-EU but marginally Islamic Turkey? For that matter, what about booze?
Glen: It was TripAdvisor.

Always remember:

If it falls to the ground, it goes to the hound.

can you get that soft pig fat stuff that spreads almost like butter ?, it's awesome.

the booze is another issue all together. I suspect that we'll probably all go to sleep pretty quickly on the train out of Budapest, but that we'll need "fortifying" when we leave Bucharest. I plan to put together a massive list of fine wines and spirits of Europe that we intend to sample.

Turkey allows pork, actually most muslim countries that I know of arent going to have you beheaded for that and have "non muslim" booze quotas, not that Turkey will have even that above normal duty free amounts. Ataturk died of sclerosis of the liver!.

 

[Donbacsi]

What you want (but probably should never eat) is the finom disznozsir.
You have moved Budapest to Friday but if you are still leaving at 19:10 you should be okay. Any earlier you run the risk of the "Student Express" full of kids with huge soft sided bags full of stinky clothes for mom to wash over the weekend. Sure, fall asleep, but I'm sure somebody with a badge will be waking you up in the middle of the night for your papers. Then what time do you get into Bucharesti? Get up! The main booze in Romania is also palinka, not as good but cheaper than Hungary.
If it falls to the ground, it goes to the hound.

 

[Mark_Lester]

What you want (but probably should never eat) is the finom disznozsir.

I worked out that zsir means lard but comes from the slavic sir or tsir for cheese. it sounds like the stuff, I'm sure it would be banned in california.

If we hit Bucharest on time we have 2 hours to get 300m to a market near the station, where we can have these mittitei and beer that I rave about, and inevitably a few shots of the local.
I dont propose to do any planned shopping in Romania, though this market may provide a top up if there's been a run on the tomatoes, I recently sampled some Hungarian home made palinka, it was really quite outstanding. I'm hoping to be re-acquainted with it.

 

[Donbacsi]

The way I figure it, you will cross the border in Romania about 23:00-23:30 hours. But you also have the stop in the last Hungarian town abut 22:10, where you indicated you wanted to make a quick beer/palinka dash. Maybe you can nap from Budapest to there, but you will miss the countryside and the switching yard at Szolnok. Then, it would seem you should arrive Bucharest about sunrise or perhaps a little earlier...not prime party time there I would suppose. Certainly try to sleep from the border to Bucharest. That way if they siderail you for an hour waiting for a local cattle train to come through you won't stress over the lost time until you reach the terminus.
As always...
If it falls to the ground, it goes to the hound.

 

[Mark_Lester]

we land at Bucuresti, in theory, at 11:00am, leave 13:00.

back to Copenhagen, the Irma near the station, or rather the block it was in. has been pulled down alas, so we will have to shop at the one at Norreport
this page has some good suggestions for ingredients, i'm trying to find what "Savoury spread made from bacon fat, apple, onion, and thyme" might be called and where to buy it.

http://www.danishsandwich.com/

there's a fancy snorrebrod restaurant suggested called Aamann's, it's £240 for the minimum buffet delivery.

 

[mickpop]

Virtual Tourist. Isn't that where we met you?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


That sounds like an awful lot. We aren't going to be burning up too many calories on the actual trains.

Those are 'Lester grammes', a little known unit of measurement used in the Greater Manchester area for measuring chip butties and black puddings. He will have Passepartout to carry his tucker box so I hope everyone else is bringing their manservant?

 

[Mark_Lester]

Don thought we'd need a trailer, even I baulked at that, I'm currently sourcing pig fat in copenhagen.

 

[Donbacsi]

We might need a trailer for you after all this pig fat. The creamy zsir can be had. Also, with all these grammes, litres, lbs and tonnes we still might need it.Obviously will know more when the list and amounts are added up. I can guarantee it will be heavier and bulkier than you expect.
Bucharest: It is taking 12 hours from the border to Bucharest? What are you doing...going via Oradea, Clug, Sigeshoara and Brasov???

 

[Mark_Lester]

Bucharest: It is taking 12 hours from the border to Bucharest? What are you doing...going via Oradea, Clug, Sigeshoara and Brasov???

Well, yes actually, it certainly goes Brasov Sinai, it's a feature I've detected (I think we are n Brasov about day break).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
correction, sighisoara day break, it's 8:30 in brasov. but yes, it talks 12 hours to get from the border to Bucurest, but we'll have done most of the country worth seeing in the process.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I made up a gastronomic plan for Copenhagen
http://gcerc.wordpress.com/food/copenhagen/
just be thankful I shelved the idea of making up steak tartarmad (listed on the wiki page).

 

[Glenmutchkin]

I usually have difficulty deciding what to eat today. This sounds like a splendid picnic.

Hands on research has established that a thick sliced loaf weighing 800 grams consists of 2 crusts and 14 slices. A standard (non crust) slice weighs 46g.

Do we need to put together a packing list (Essential/recommended/optional)?

 

[Donbacsi]

If you will be in sighisaora at sunup you will have about 15 minutes to jump and go over to the next street to look up at the walled Saxon town where Vlad Tepes was born. Toast a shot of palinka to the Impaler and jump back on.
I doubt you will see much if anything of Medieval Brasov as this walled city was built up in a curving valley to block the pass over the Carpathians. You might get a glimpse of the so-called "Dracula's" (Bran) Castle. From there I have only driven that region so can't comment on what you might see from the train.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I am pretty sure the footballs will weigh more than a two slice 92 gram sandwich. Add a geneous portion of salami, smoked cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers with condiments, a side of munchies, olives, pickles, baby watermelons, and then a "suti" (SHOO-tee) or goodie, a beer or wine and you will have had a meal. You can walk this off by going to the "Bufe" car for a kave.

 

[Mark_Lester]

If you will be in sighisaora at sunup you will have about 15 minutes to jump and go over to the next street to look up at the walled Saxon town where Vlad Tepes was born. Toast a shot of palinka to the Impaler and jump back on.
I doubt you will see much if anything of Medieval Brasov as this walled city was built up in a curving valley to block the pass over the Carpathians. You might get a glimpse of the so-called "Dracula's" (Bran) Castle. From there I have only driven that region so can't comment on what you might see from the train.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I am pretty sure the footballs will weigh more than a two slice 92 gram sandwich. Add a geneous portion of salami, smoked cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers with condiments, a side of munchies, olives, pickles, baby watermelons, and then a "suti" (SHOO-tee) or goodie, a beer or wine and you will have had a meal. You can walk this off by going to the "Bufe" car for a kave.

the Sighi stop is just 2 mins. We are supposed to get a decent view of Sinea valley on leaving Brasov.

This page has a list of Kolbasas
http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/hungariansausages/a/hungariansausag.htm
I assume fire sausage is generically known as Csabai Kolbasz

This lecso sounds nice, may be we can get some of that in a cafe upstairs in the market. Looks like it needs cold beer to wash down with.

I assume we also need Gyulai, (which is awfully close to goolie and is doubtless going to be named as such), but that Debrecen needs cooking.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've just discovered Kürtőskalács
I guess one between two people and there must be a stand in the grand market, no ?.

 

[Donbacsi]

A small course on the blinding array of sausages, szalamis and hams you will be confronted with at the central market:
http://www.hungariandeli.com/Deli.htm
http://www.hungarianmeatmarket.com/index.php
http://kolbasz.com/ (enjoy the song about eating good sausages)
http://csabaikolbaszfesztival.hu/43/under-charging
http://www.amazon.com/PICK-Hungarian-Salami-approx-400g/dp/B00283BEL6 (go to the bottom for several more products)
http://www.bende.com/ (note the smoked pork butt, also good for travel)
Asnd lastly, the following has a picture of one of my favorite travel deserts, the biegle, makos (poppy seed) or dios (nut cakes). They come in long strudel like cakes so the entire cake doesn't become stale the minute you cut it.
http://thehungariangirl.com/

 

[Mark_Lester]

A small course on the blinding array of sausages, szalamis and hams you will be confronted with at the central market:
http://www.hungariandeli.com/Deli.htm
http://www.hungarianmeatmarket.com/index.php
http://kolbasz.com/ (enjoy the song about eating good sausages)
http://csabaikolbaszfesztival.hu/43/under-charging
http://www.amazon.com/PICK-Hungarian-Salami-approx-400g/dp/B00283BEL6 (go to the bottom for several more products)
http://www.bende.com/ (note the smoked pork butt, also good for travel)
Asnd lastly, the following has a picture of one of my favorite travel deserts, the biegle, makos (poppy seed) or dios (nut cakes). They come in long strudel like cakes so the entire cake doesn't become stale the minute you cut it.
http://thehungariangirl.com/

thanks for all those, i'd just found pick.
what is "real mean ringing stinging salami, the daftest you've got" in hungarian, Csabia is listed as "slightly hot". please note, we three in here are all English and go to India once every few years. Our national dish is chicken tikka masala, give us your heat!.

 

[Donbacsi]

These names you are reading are simply the nmes of the towns where the original recipes come from. In some cases they can mean generally mild (Debreceni) or in other cases more spices...but among them you have to ask for the nagyon eros (very spicey). Also there are garlic kolbasz as well as mixed. I prefer the spicey, meaning lots of paprika style, and I like it smoked. This reference to the Hell sausage is just one brand. Trust me, you will be able to find the "grandfather " spicey stuff at nearly every stall if you know how to do it. I believe I posted the TA thread about how to get this, but will put it in to help you fill out your Budapest food page. Starting at post five you will find very basic instructions, but given your time and probable desire to eat a meal and look around, this is going to be left for the experts.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g274887-i263-k4832947-Which_Sausage-Budapest.html
Lastly, here are some of the things you will find eat and drink in the central market.
http://thehungariangirl.com/2012/04/16/central-market-hall/

 

[Glenmutchkin]

what is "real mean ringing stinging salami, the daftest you've got" in hungarian,

It will no doubt give us something to do as we meander at walking pace across Romania. Do we have any info about what the on train bogs are like?

Worth knowing that "teperto" means pork scratchings. At least we northerners won't starve to death.

 

[Donbacsi]

And now for something NOT completely different:
http://www.mavnosztalgia.hu/en/menu/135/esemeny/440

 

[Mark_Lester]

we need to go here
http://www.augusztcukraszda.hu/
it's not far from the market
and pick up a dobos torta (layered chocolate cake) and a túro torta, cheese cake, turo being this light cottage cheese they have.

 

[Donbacsi]

The IC bogs are very nice. After that...bring your hand-wipes!
I assume "pork scratchings" are what we call cracklings and can be found everywhere because they are so good for you!
the kurtoskalacs comes apart in a big spiral and is very sticky sweet which will cause shop vendors to look at you with disdain if you want to touch their products. I much prefer the mezeskalacs which is kind of a puffy honey (baked in) ginger bread. I can eat a bag of them...and have.
Auguszt is good, but you will pass at least 1/2 dozen other csukrazda on your Great ABURP, so I wouldn't go out of my way and lose time.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Street food in addition to the previously discussed "Scout" sausage:
http://thehungariangirl.com/2011/08/02/local-street-food-in-hungary/

 

[mickpop]

Can't stand much more of this! I am going to have to wear a bib permanently every time I enter this thread - salivation overload.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Can't stand much more of this! I am going to have to wear a bib permanently every time I enter this thread - salivation overload.

anyone for chocolates ?
http://www.corne1932.be/
we are going to have to get the hard liquor supplies, which is thankfully only one bottle each as per Norwegian duty regs, in Brussels, no time in Amsterdam and too expensive in Copenhagen.

but there will be nothing to eat on that Borealis (name of Amsterdam-copenhagen night train) so while we will have time to do waffles and a few moules and plenty of frittes, we should get supper and breakfast booty in brussels.
There is a Delhaise supermarket, which I gather is the best they've got, in the grand place area where we can get something appropriate (we'll have to lean to the Flemish side of things, we'll be doing France later). We should certainly include at least one trappiste beer per head. er. make that 4.

And of course some top end chocs. There a local bloke on tripadvisor who sounds worth listening to
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTo...s_to_check_out_on_a_2_day_visit-Brussels.html
he recs the place above, all the chocolatiers are just north of the grand place.

It will be stoycho's birthday too on the new saturday launch day btw.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

This might have some bearing on our plans to take picnic equipment.

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/prohibited_items.jsp

It came up on this thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=64218

 

[Mark_Lester]

This might have some bearing on our plans to take picnic equipment.

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/before_you_go/prohibited_items.jsp

It came up on this thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=64218

for Pete's sake.
So do we need to do this for the whole route now ?, or is it just the chunnel that is regarded as potential alqaida territory ?. Is there a "hold" that we can put them in ?, and wil we have to donate them to gare du nord on the return.

Otherwise we need to source at couple of bread knives in Brussels.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

I found this on the Thalys website

Luggage not permitted on the train

That is longer than ≥85cm.
That is too heavy for one person to carry unaided.
Containing items that are:
Unusual - Such as perishable goods emitting an unpleasant smell.
Dangerous - Non-exhaustively, such as: blades, firearms, explosives, flammable liquids, or any hazardous products (chemical, biological, etc.).

Source - http://www.thalys.com/be/en/services/before/luggage-animals

Not terribly helpful. Might rule out an emergency ration of Stinking Bishop.

I haven't a clue whether there are luggage checks for the Thalys but I'm pretty certain that there are for Eurostar.

 

[Mark_Lester]

oh blimey, i posted a question specific thread in here.
we dont need to get the knives out till after amsterdam, though we wont have time to buy them there unless there just happens to be a kitchenware vendor in centraal.
but if this is going to be an issue all th way round then it's going to need to be sliced bread, and sliced anything else that needs it.
which is an absolute bummer.
in general we are only going ot be whipping these out in compartments that we have entirely booked, I'm not proposing to be waving them about in a fancy saloon car.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
so AVE in spain do bag checks,
couldnt see much on norway, though I noted that check-in for that sleeper is 50 minutes ahead. we need to check these for the other sleepers where we arent just changing trains (e.g. at Boden in Sweden and Henday),
I'd aim for 30 mins ahead anyway, but we should check that they arent sayng "be here with 45 mins to go or dont bother
so
Oslo (it says check-in 22:15, not sure if that's before or after,)
Prague dep 00:04, 23:30 ?
Budapest dep 19:10, so 06:30 latest
Bucuresti I guess we'll just be happy if we get in and the out train is still there.
Istanbul 22:00, should hit there for 21:00
Sofia 20:15, so 19:30
Roma, 23:04, so even at 22:30 that could compromise the dash to the Colosseum, which would have to be completed within 1 hour.
Madrid 22:25, 21:45 ?
Lisbon 16:30, so 16:00 latest.