TRAIN AGAIN - NUREMBURG

24th Mar 2024

I  am off on an 'escorted' train journey through Europe. As you may have gathered previously I much prefer travelling 'solo' and not so keen on being 'escorted' in a group (or travelling with anyone else for that matter!). However, I have done one of these before, several years ago, and found it interesting and well organised; through Switzerland on the 'Glacier Express' back in 2019 if I remember correctly. It was about the other people on the trip which interested me as much as the scenery! Anyway, a rush of blood to the head prompted me to give it another go.

So here goes! We were due to meet up at St Pancras Railway Station (London) near the Sir John Betjeman statue (left) early Monday morning to catch the EuroStar train to Brussels. I spent Sunday night at a 'reasonably by London standards' priced (ie. very expensive by my standards) hotel near St Pancras.

Well, we did report in from 7.15am onwards (on Monday 25th) in dribs and drabs to our 'Tour Manager' John. All most efficient, like escorting schoolchildren on a school trip. EuroStar tickets had already been provided and now an Interail Pass for European trains.

There were vast queues at the EuroStar check-in, but they moved quickly and with quite perfunctory checks through security and passport, UK and French, controls, in good time to board the 9.01am train to Brussels.

At this stage I hadn't met up with any of my fellow travellers; just seen some of them in the distance. We all assembled on the platform on arrival at Brussels. I think there are 25 of us. Lots of 'briefings' by John on the forthcoming trip, who was smartly dressed in jacket and tie. He is Scottish. Details of each day's travel and activities had already been e-mailed to us. Slips of paper with our next carriage and seat number were handed out. As said, all most efficient.

There was a 2 hour wait at Brussels which enabled visits to the local cafés; in my case for a snack and beer, before the next train, a comfortable ICE machine, left for Frankfurt and arrived there on time at 5.28pm. From Frankfurt to Nuremburg arriving 8.30pm, then a quick group march to the nearby Intercity Hotel for a communal supper and then bed (not communal!) interspersed with yet more 'briefings' in Scottish by the redoubtable John. I'm not so keen on these 'communal' meals which involve sitting next to someone you don't know and probably don't have anything in common with. However, these meals are pre-paid as part of the trip expense so silly to miss them!

I have yet to suss-out my fellow travelling companions....but most of the 25 (appox, difficult to count) are (like me!) in the 60/70 yr age bracket. I'm not sure if I have identified any kindred spirits so far. More to follow on that subject as we travel onwards.

The next morning (Tuesday 26th) after a very decent hotel breakfast (included, as explained, as were some of the meals in the price of this holiday) there was time for a 'solo' cursory wander through the 'Old Town' of Nuremburg. I only had 50mins to do this before parading for the onward train journey at 10.00am.

My start point was at the front of Nuremburg Main Station, then across the road to the Königstor, #8 at bottom right of the map (right, click on to enlarge). Thence north up Königsallee ending at the Burg fort at the top left. It was less than a mile.

Left: The 'grand' front entrance to the main railway station. Much more impressive than any UK railway stations.

There was no time to enter, let alone explore, any of the places I passed. So this is a quick resumé of the notable sights.

Right: The Konigstor. It had an entrance for visitors. I don't know what is inside. Konigs?

Left: A typical 'ye olde' cobbled street and restaurant inside this walled old city.

Right: I passed three impressive churches out of the eight mentioned on the 'map'. They are obviously 'big' on vast churches here. 

I attach photos in the order of the churches I passed from south to north. I didn't note which ones they were. You might be able to identify them from the 'map' above. If, indeed, you can be bothered or in the slightest interested.

Left: The first church. The stall in front was selling lace embroidery, or knickers or somesuch.

Right: The second church. Big tower.

Left: The third church.

Right: An elaborate memorial to something or other around the back of the third church.

Left: On the way up there was an ancient building advertising 'medieval dungeon tours'. If I had had more time I might have gone in.

Right: I also passed by this impressive market stall display selling sticky cream cakes and biscuits. I spoke to the lady stallholder and asked her how long it took to set up this elaborate display and how likely was she to sell them all? She told me it took about an hour to set up, starting at 7.00am, and it depended on the weather as to how many she sold in the day, On a fine day she hoped to sell nearly all of them. On a rainy day she sells few. The creamy cakes would only keep for a couple of days, max. Good luck to her. Rather her than me!

Left: The Burg fortress at the northern end.

I then hastened back to the Hauptbahnhof to meet up with our 'group' at 10.00am. The efficient John always insists that we meet up 30 mins before train departure time which, in this case, was scheduled at 10.31, and hands out our seat numbers. We are always in the same carriage. He counts us meticulously. I don't know what he would do if somone was missing. Right: Some of the group. John centre.

So, on to Vienna...........