The Great Circular European Railway Challenge

[Mark_Lester]

Knowing what we need will be a good start but getting our hands on bulk quantities of specific cois might be a bit harder.



Norway isn't EU. There is a 2006 thread on the subject of Duty Free on Eurotrip which gives this info

"Alcoholic beverages: 1 liter drink with alcohol strength 22 – 60%

and 1 liter drink with alcohol strength 2,5 -22%,
or 2 liter drink with alcohol strength 2,5 – 22%

2 liter beer drink with alcohol strength 2,5 – 4,75%.

This means that a person could for example bring 4 liter beer but no other alcoholic beverages."

I dont follow that. Can I bring 1 litre of spirits ? , it looks like I can have a litre of spirits and a bottle of wine. Good job we arent going for longer than 36 hours then , that's a lot more alcohol than the doctor ordered. We might be able to hit a station shop at Boden for the night train night cap if we've run out by then, there's a super nearby. But if we have run out we will be in poor shape, and with Berlin just around the Kiel canal we should perhaps order plenty of water and an early night.
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our Norwegian office tells me that these out of the way plane routes are nailed on public services put out to tender. The tender just changed but we're certain to have these flights, and at the 52 euros or less with advance booking.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Spirits are generally around 40% - so max 1 ltr
Wine generally around 13% - so 1 ltr alongside spirits or 2 ltrs if no spirits.

Booze gets cheaper as we go south doesn't it so this will be the only Customs crossing where we have to worry unless they have draconian nil limits somewhere in the Balkans.

We need to line up a good offy in Brussels and explain the need for a bit of spare capacity in luggage. At least 2 litres space.

 

[Donbacsi]

"...getting our hands on bulk quantities of specific coins might be a bit harder."
I have a suggestion...just a suggestion that would probably solve your locker change problem.
In virtually every major international airport there is a small bucket for departing visitors to deposit their left-over local change. They accept every currency in the world. This money is used to feed starving children wherever most needed. Not a bad charity, perhaps one of the best.
I suggest you contact them. They have to sort and convert tons of these coins from around the world. I am willing to bet that if you offered to donate the rest, remainder and residue of the "Travel Trust" to their cause at the end of the trip, they would be amenable to exchanging any amount of Krone, Krona, Lire, Forint, Lei, Zloty, and Norwegian whatevers for some Pounds Sterling.
In addition, you might offer to place a small copy of their logo on your travel T-shirts. That way, when asked what you are all about on your trip, you don't have to admit that you are just a bunch of train lunatics, but rather that you are raising awareness for this very worthy charity. That alone might get you more easily through one or another border crossing. Just a suggestion.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Don - I must be a total cynic. I always thought that those buckets were the bar staff tips.

I know that Emirates have a charity that they support and they ask people to stick unwanted coins in envelopes for donation. Trouble is that they don't fly between here and Norway, Sweden, Hungary , Serbo-Coatia and the like.

I wonder if our leader has any thoughts on this?

 

[Mark_Lester]

Spirits are generally around 40% - so max 1 ltr
Wine generally around 13% - so 1 ltr alongside spirits or 2 ltrs if no spirits.

Booze gets cheaper as we go south doesn't it so this will be the only Customs crossing where we have to worry unless they have draconian nil limits somewhere in the Balkans.

We need to line up a good offy in Brussels and explain the need for a bit of spare capacity in luggage. At least 2 litres space.

so a litre of spirits and a litre of wine, that's plenty.

cash, we need local money in
denmark, norway, sweden, czech rep, hungary, romania (a little), turkey, bulgaria, serbia (again a little). we might not spend a solitary bean in romania and serbia, so that cash would go straight back anyway. i think most decent places will take the stuff back with a receipt. we just need to make a decent stab. the only variables are sit down meals and how much beer, both tricky ones.

getting the shrapnel is just going to have to be done on impact, so for each of these we need instructions on where is the nearest/quickest place to go to to turn notes into coins asap. where and how the lockers work or alternative bag drop, and then what the routine is with the metro passes, especially any non change giving ticket vending machines a la Rome.
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Don - I must be a total cynic. I always thought that those buckets were the bar staff tips.

I know that Emirates have a charity that they support and they ask people to stick unwanted coins in envelopes for donation. Trouble is that they don't fly between here and Norway, Sweden, Hungary , Serbo-Coatia and the like.

I wonder if our leader has any thoughts on this?

yes, we're not doing any charity.

but, if we end up with loads of weird shrapnel at the end then I'm sure there's a slot somewhere in st panc we can shove it all in.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

cash, we need local money in
denmark, norway, sweden, czech rep, hungary, romania (a little), turkey, bulgaria, serbia (again a little). we might not spend a solitary bean in romania and serbia, so that cash would go straight back anyway. i think most decent places will take the stuff back with a receipt. we just need to make a decent stab. the only variables are sit down meals and how much beer, both tricky ones.

getting the shrapnel is just going to have to be done on impact, so for each of these we need instructions on where is the nearest/quickest place to go to to turn notes into coins asap. where and how the lockers work or alternative bag drop, and then what the routine is with the metro passes, especially any non change giving ticket vending machines a la Rome.
.

Getting the change on impact might be pretty time consuming. Also we get to some places at odd hours (e.g. Stockholm 06.25)

Meals could probably be done by credit card if a few of us volunteer and we can divvy up. Saves unnecessary forex charges. We should use metro ticket offices where we can so we don't finish up with tickets for only half the team because we've jammed the machine by stuffing the wrong coin in it. Rome shouldn't be too much of a problem. Everybody has to hoard a couple of euro coins till we get there.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Getting the change on impact might be pretty time consuming. Also we get to some places at odd hours (e.g. Stockholm 06.25)

there has to be a ticket office open that will give change in any capital city's principal station. the scando's will all speak perfect English, but in places like Hungary we'll just have a slip that reads "15 metró megy és elég érmék 15 öltözőszekrények kérjük".

it takes one person to go there and get the coinage required, and a fiddly spreadsheet to work out where everyone stands.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

there has to be a ticket office open that will give change in any capital city's principal station.
it takes one person to go there and get the coinage required

Are you going to try a practice run next time you are at Paddington?

 

[Mark_Lester]

Are you going to try a practice run next time you are at Paddington?

You mean
I say "can I have 20 quids worth of change for the vending machines please"
ticket office man says "not bliknin likely mate"

but the point in paddington would be, the bags have to go in to the left luggage, and they'll give change, and the travelcards can be done with one transaction at a ticket office. i.e you dont need a stack of fifty pence pieces.

i dont know what the situation is in copenhagen for lockers and change for them, but I know a man who should, I'll ask.

oslo should be just X tickets, preferably returns.

stockholm, i was planning on taking bags with us, but they are a shag, and with the size of the group triple-quadruply so. so we should probably work it out.

berlin is hostel for bags, not sure what we are going to do for the short midnight tram ride to the brandenburg gate and back and what coinage would be required, but it's euros at least. and actually there is a humongous ultra modern railway station nearby, surely we can get a tram ticket in there.

dresden is one ticket each out of a vending machine, lasts an hour. bags have to come alas, so it could be messy, if people are so useless they cant do the simple tram to old town and back on their own inside an hour then they shoudlnt have passed the interview. all they'd miss is the steam train which would probably be a relief. ah, we dont even need coins, we get books of 4, it's cheaper and the machine takes notes.

prague is rent a room for the luggage, the metro tickets can be bought at a desk.

vienna, euros for a double metro ride.

Don, what's the drill between lave train and get on metro ?. Do we need to get change before the lockers, ? if so where ?, i assume we can buy the metro tickets at a desk, will he give us the change for the lockers ?.

we havent studied Istanbul much yet but we'll need to do some kind of circuit, we're there for 14 hours

Sofia we just need metro passes.

If Belgade comes into play we've enough time to work it out. we should probably not even bother bringing readies.

that's it. oh switzerland of course, doh. but no need for change, though all you'll be getting is a coffee in st moritz and a beer in geneva stations, both cc-able,

everywhere else is euro sheckles.

we need drills for left luggage at Barcelona sants and madrid atocha, and lisbon, and gare du nord. and brussels midi, we've got 3 hours now.I know this is all a shag, but 12-15 middle aged blokes is bad enough, with rucksacks and we become a monster. Getting into a small back street pubs in brussels becomes impossible.
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stockholm is about £2.40, 25 to 35 SEK, for a locker.
oh, now virtual tourist tell me it's 40-50 SEK, and not very big, so may be a 50SEK, or 5 quid each, i.e. £60+ worth of luggage safety and a load of coin hassle.
but its sweden, smiling is free but thats about it.
it's 3 1/2 hours, and we've shopping to do, we've a 13 hour train trip to survive later.
I am going to get rid of my bag.

brussels is 3,20 euro

gare du nord is 4 euro for a small, 9,50 for a large!

i know it's a hassle, but we CAN NOT turn up at Train Blue like a bunch of campers and be expected to be treated with anything more than scathing derision by them, they probably wont even let us in judging by the look of the place.

in brussels we now have time to spend at least half an hour in a secret little bar somewhere, and get top quality supplies of various things in various other places.
these places are not going to be happy about more than even a couple if us turning up ready to climb everest.

cant find anything about lisbon, except that lockers are downstairs near the car rental and tourist desk, but ooh what a groovy station,
http://www.thelisbonconnection.com/...inmetro-station-delgado-the-fearless-general/

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Some of those locker costs are eye watering. We'll be spending more on this than on travel.
I agree that we can't be wandering around like refugees from Glastonbury but we need a bit of blue sky thinking here. In some places it sounds like hiring a taxi to park for a couple hours while the driver reads his paper and watches the kit might be cheaper. Maybe one or two more hostels? Would ease the shrapnel issue.
Time is one our side as we work through this. There must be some kind of forum somewhere for international left luggage fanciers. We need to find it.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Some of those locker costs are eye watering. We'll be spending more on this than on travel.
I agree that we can't be wandering around like refugees from Glastonbury but we need a bit of blue sky thinking here. In some places it sounds like hiring a taxi to park for a couple hours while the driver reads his paper and watches the kit might be cheaper. Maybe one or two more hostels? Would ease the shrapnel issue.
Time is one our side as we work through this. There must be some kind of forum somewhere for international left luggage fanciers. We need to find it.

taxi, dig it.

even with just 12, which I'm, pretty sure we are at, it's 60 quid for many of these. and the inevitable scenario on returning that there' some huge queue, to go with the mobile one we are bringing.

this guy is great, I'll see if he's talkative
http://www.thelisbonconnection.com/...lavra-spectacular-viewpoints-art-in-movement/
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A thought about the finale blow out.
We land lisbon 07:40, we could have the entire tram tour, including some breakfast somewhere and cascais and back, done easily by 1 o'clock. that leaves 3 1/2 hours. So we can have a good 2 1/2 hour blow out in the more affordable streets of Lisbon compared to, well probably anywhere right now, their debt is now junk rated.
the timing in the day is perfect obviously, and we can pig out with fine port and celebrate the exploits of Arthur Wellesley.
that doesnt exclude a snort at Train Blue, but I think this is a better finale party and we do have a lot of time in Lisbon.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

A leisurely Sunday lunch in Lisbon sounds excellent. Roast beef, yorkshires and a bottle of Quinta da Noval. For the Train Bleu I think that we contact them when we know dates, explain the cultural nature of our mission and see if we can have a viewing by appointment. We can ask for nothing.

There was something on Radio 4 just now about the Coliseum falling down bit by bit so no standing too close for the photos.

 

[Donbacsi]

The "taxi/locker" idea is brilliant. Some of those locker rates seem extortionate. Rather unrealistic to think you will easily be able to get your Romanian and Serbian money exchanged back into anything useable. If you can find an ATM, it will gladly accept your Pounds or Dollars, but even when you push the button for the lowest amount, you will get a huge wad of funny money in return. But just try finding a place that will exchange this stuff for anything useable. With the exception of the Romanian Lei, which is made of plastic, the best use for this Balkan money (other than bribes and beer) is to take it with you into the ill-supplied WC's along the way.
B-pest: I enjoyed your long-winded, prosaic phrase to try to get change. I can assure you that the pronounciation will be so mangle as to be unrecognizable! Keleti, as all trains stations, is full of people in a hurry. Short phrases work best. Try to remember "FEL KErem" (FAIL KAY-ram) or "please cut it in half". The emphasis is always on the first syllable in Hungarian. Kerem is an important word while on the ground in B-pest. "Please" usually gets everyone's attention. Then, even if they don't speak any English, you can use hand signs to get just about anything you want.
Should you not accrue enough 100 & 200HUF coins from the Bufe car on the Vienna/B-pest run, you have two options. 1. Everyone buys their own sandwich, shot and beer at the Keleti bufe. If the smallest change you get back is a 500HUF bill...you know what to say. 2. The Metro day pass ticket booth will give you whatever change you want. You aren't the first to need locker change. I am guessing the lockers have probably gone up to 200HUF (50p) by now.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Try to remember "FEL KErem" (FAIL KAY-ram) or "please cut it in half". The emphasis is always on the first syllable in Hungarian. Kerem is an important word while on the ground in B-pest. "Please" usually gets everyone's attention. Then, even if they don't speak any English, you can use hand signs to get just about anything you want.

Is there room on the website for an "Official GCERC" Phrasebook? This should definitely be in there along with the previously mentioned all aboards.

 

[Donbacsi]

I would love to see what all the conductors/guards/jammers say when the train is about to depart from all these various countries. To me, the phrase "ALLLLL ABOOOAAARRRD!!! is one of the most magical in the American-English language.
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You can use the phrase "fel kilo" to a get a little over a pound of salami, cheese, pickled baby watermelons, etc. Kerem, point and eat!

 

[Mark_Lester]

Rather unrealistic to think you will easily be able to get your Romanian and Serbian money exchanged back into anything useable

Here in the little old UK, you can go to your bank and ask for lots of funny money and then take the stuff you don't use and the receipt back and you'll lose next to nothing bar any price fluctuations. this includes weird stuff like serbian dinars, but of course doesnt include coins, for anyone.
we've got so many of these though that it will be hard to get the budget accurate. you'll either have to take a lot more than you'll probably use to avoid the chance of being short somewhere, or face the ATM.


re slogans, I'll send the "get back on board ? ****"" onto the art department. they havent come back with anything yet but these guys are so cool, it will be hip whatever comes out.
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well, you have to move fast these days

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...s-with-Get-back-on-board-for-s-sake-logo.html
still, we'll be 18 months away, so we'll be able to show we still have forgiven the *******

 

[Glenmutchkin]

The Telegraph obviously doesn't use the Urban Dictionary site for their translations. Wiki has a great chunk of stuff on Italian profanities. Good job this isn't yesterday.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Here in the little old UK, you can go to your bank and ask for lots of funny money and then take the stuff you don't use and the receipt back and you'll lose next to nothing bar any price fluctuations. this includes weird stuff like serbian dinars, but of course doesnt include coins, for anyone.
we've got so many of these though that it will be hard to get the budget accurate. you'll either have to take a lot more than you'll probably use to avoid the chance of being short somewhere, or face the ATM.


re slogans, I'll send the "get back on board ? ****"" onto the art department. they havent come back with anything yet but these guys are so cool, it will be hip whatever comes out.
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well, you have to move fast these days

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...s-with-Get-back-on-board-for-s-sake-logo.html
still, we'll be 18 months away, so we'll be able to show we still have forgiven the *******

i have to confess that I had mistaken who the quote was from, and actually it's precise translation.
Poetic though the original is, and could be the basis for an entire opera, I find the anglo saxon edition much more to the point, and think the majority of europe, whether they like it or not, will find so too.
It is also almost exactly what Johnny had to bark out to the people who had taken the unfathomably stupid decision to get off the train at midnight in Jammu Tawi when the Fuhrer and his mates clearly were still on it.

My wife of course will forbid me to wear it now.
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The Telegraph obviously doesn't use the Urban Dictionary site for their translations. Wiki has a great chunk of stuff on Italian profanities. Good job this isn't yesterday.

oh, well, I'll stick with the toned down torygraph then.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Picking up on Don's thought how about some kind of graphic featuring "All aboard" in 22 languages. Make that 21 - two countries speak German.

This thought is making me think of the train scene in Young Frankenstein. Do you know it?

 

[Donbacsi]

If you have all 21 "all aboards" on the shirt, then if some idiot is standing on the platform not responding, the conductor only has to point to the appropriate phrase on the shirt and Dumbo should take the hint and get on board. That should eliminate any Jammu Tawi problems.
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That's Fraaank-en-steeen!
I like the idea that every member should come pre-packaged with instructions as to what to do with them. 22 countries, 22 national drinks, 22 opportunities for alcohol induced platform idiocy.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

I like the idea that every member should come pre-packaged with instructions as to what to do with them. 22 countries, 22 national drinks, 22 opportunities for alcohol induced platform idiocy.

Now your getting the hang of it.

And, by the way, that's Fronk-en-steen

 

[Donbacsi]

Fronk would be the Scottish spelling of the pronounciation.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Fronk would be the Scottish spelling of the pronounciation.

I think it would be the phonetic spelling in much of the English speaking world. It must be one of those "You say tomayto, we say tomahto" things that contribute to two nations divided by a common language.

 

[Donbacsi]

I'm more thinking the pinch-nosed, weasley faced, snide British noble man in the Mel Gibson movie...as opposed to the accent of those bravehearts from the Highlands. Am I opening a can of worms here?

 

[Glenmutchkin]

You've lost me now.

 

[Donbacsi]

As an American who has spent a great deal of time studying in London (Inns of Court, School of Law), I can flounce around quite easily, with the exception of Smithfield rhyming slang. But once I get above the Moors, it is an entirely different form of "English", at times quite indecipherable.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

Don

I'm back with you. Had to go and pay my weekly sub at the local speakeasy. I wasn't sure which of that great Caledonian thespian, Mel Gibson's movies you were alluding to.

PS - Are you a lawyer? If so I take it all back.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Picking up on Don's thought how about some kind of graphic featuring "All aboard" in 22 languages. Make that 21 - two countries speak German.

This thought is making me think of the train scene in Young Frankenstein. Do you know it?

I don't know if the Flemish is going to look any different from the dutch, for Switzerland they've got romanisch I think it's called, spoken in the graubunden area that we'll be going through, so they don't have to double on German French or Italian, Zagreb is Serbo-croat, same Belgrade, so we've lost another there. and you have to translate the exclamation correctly/appropriately which is the hard bit.
if we're going to list everything we'll do cities and dates which is a little more impressive, though will still be hard to fit into a tee, though we may have it down the back.

 

[Glenmutchkin]

if we're going to list everything we'll do cities and dates which is a little more impressive, though will still be hard to fit into a tee, though we may have it down the back.

Need to make sure that it doesn't just look like some crummy band tour t-shirt if we follow that route.

I'd be prepared to forego the exclamation mark if that is the only obstacle.

 

[Mark_Lester]

Need to make sure that it doesn't just look like some crummy band tour t-shirt if we follow that route.

that would be precisely the objective.

we're not have **** in 18 languages, end of.