David Kellam

Well, I must say I am in better spirits. The two train journeys so far have passed in relative comfort: the first on a German regional train to Angermunde; the second a lengthy trip across the north of Poland.

Thankfully, we found ourselves the primary occupants of the restaurant car, wherein we played cards (’Arsehole’ and 500) for about 6 hours.

We were, however, told to pay up or get out. An endless supply of chips purchased at profitable euro exchange rates thereby ensured our continued residence in the restaurant car (named ‘wars’). The trip passed in relative and surprising comfort, even though I had planned such occupancy based on previous experience.

The last part of the journey was particularly amusing as we taught Bel (and reminded Kat) how to play 500. Although it was Tom K who needed the lessons, bidding 7 no trumps with only 1 ace, no joker, no length and only one short suit. We scored 6 tricks in opposition to that. I have seen worse… Just not for a long time. Kat provided much amusement of her own and particularly to herself, placing dummy bids which ended up leaving her stranded. At least that’s the story she’s sticking to :p

The best part of our as yet brief sojourn into Poland came just as we were preparing for the railyard olympics - otherwise known as a 4 minute changeover to a second train on an unknown platform at a previously unvisited station, in an unknown language. Just as I hurtled out of the train, preparing for the sprint, I saw Douglas conversing with some locals and realised we were saved - they had sent a bus for us!

I now write this journal entry in the comfort of an airconditioned bus of Western quality, rather than whilst surfing the interlocking carriages between two stinky Polish toilets. However, I was looking forward to the ‘dash and hold’ technique, whereby the first person to reach the soon-to-be departing train delays it through feigning injury whilst attempting to board. Although, to be realistic, we did perform a 1 minute changeover last tour, so 4 was looking luxurious. Still, I was looking forward to it!

Mood: positive
Activity: cards
Music: Bach B Minor Mass

DRK

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 3rd, 2005 at 2:01 am and is filed under Europe 2005. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.