hexagon789
Veteran Member
I live in Surrey, what do you mean invest
I think he means "invest".
I live in Surrey, what do you mean invest
Fair play mate. I'm going off my ex's two cousins and Uncle who are from Torino. Didn't realise both were used so apologies. Ha ha.Either/or - see the Collins dictionary for a reputable "mille grazie" entry: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/italian-english/grazie#grazie_1
No apologies needed! Treacherous thing, language.Fair play mate. I'm going off my ex's two cousins and Uncle who are from Torino. Didn't realise both were used so apologies. Ha ha.
No apologies needed! Treacherous thing, language.
Going wildly off topic, a language joke:
Q: How many translators does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Well, it depends on the context.
Normal service will be resumed when our intrepid 1st class explorer checks back in.
Also, what's a Cloudy Vee?
I googled it and got the Austrian weather forecast.I'm assuming he's referring to a Cloudy Vienna perhaps which VTEC also serve. It's like a spiced apple juice.
I googled it and got the Austrian weather forecast.
I’ll write it now for youShouldn't be too long anyway I think the next one's due out on the 16th
Ha ha. I remember in Spanish lessons in school we got told "lo siento" means "I'm sorry". When I made friends with some Spanish speaking friends they said that is a phrase you would use if someone's grandmother had died or something like that. Not "Sorry I bumped in to you". That would be "Desculpa me".No apologies needed! Treacherous thing, language.
Going wildly off topic, a language joke:
Q: How many translators does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Well, it depends on the context.
Normal service will be resumed when our intrepid 1st class explorer checks back in.
I’ll write it now for you
So I reclined and a friendly staff member with dark black hair and very heavy accent came and offered me some complimentary newspapers from the newspaper trolley. Well I don’t know any teenagers that read newspapers - I certainly don’t so I politely declined, but that’s a nice service to offer all the same.
It’s a day early, sorry about that!
Good day. How are we all? Chill? If so grab your popcorn and let me entice you to the Austrian Alps...
Twenty minutes later and delayed, a beautiful Taurus screeches in, dragging it’s corresponding carriages behind it. It’s an OBB Eurocity train, bound for Munich, I think it was, and I’m booked in a compartment.
The train is nice inside, here are the six person compartments of first class:
You can also get four person ones with a table where the middle seat is in the six seat ones. I went for a six seater though because the train was empty. Meaning no strangers coming into your compartment. So you can stretch out...
Here is the corridor. Reminds me of sleeper trains!
SORRY FOR THE GUY WHO STOOD IN THE WAY!
Here a load of men with GUNS got on board the train. But don’t worry, they were police officers. Italian officers are armed. That’s just the way it is.
Now I’d been up since 5:30am, and as I am not a morning person I was exhausted. So I stretched out across the three compartments with my headphones plugged in and chilled for a bit. The scenery as you enter Austria is pretty sick actually, if it wasn’t for the ten photo limit you’d be seeing a lot more of it!
All of a sudden, SHOCK HORROR!!
No, none of the policeman’s guns went off;
No, the train didn’t overturn.
WORSE.
My... my... MY MOBILE DATA RAN OUT!!!!
And soon ladies and gentlemen my journey did sadly come to a halt at Innsbruck, where a mini buffet of banana chips and pretzels (long story) were enjoyed in the OBB Lounge. More on that next week though, when I critique OBB RailJet first class!
’m happy about the three different types of accommodation that can be used with a first class ticket. Four person compartment, six person compartment, saloon.
The saloon seating is without a doubt the most comfortable and I did specify my reservation in the saloon - but ÖBB booked me in a compartment! However, while the seats are a little harder and the recline a little awkward, this six seater compartment turned out to be great as no strangers came in, so I could relax in the ultimate privacy and stretch out in my own space.
I was irritated that the promised Wi-Fi didn’t show up. Hey - don’t scoff at me, I’m a very typical 21st century teenage boy dudes. Football, iPhone, sleeping in late, girls, partying, Wi-Fi. That’s all that matters to your average teen, never mind the view of the Alps! Including moi, so yes I admit my eyes were on my phone more of the time than the snowy mountains outside. Oh c’mon, I’m a Canuck, I’ve seen snow enough times!
Also, feed yourself before, or come with food or money. Don’t expect freebies! However, this rather nice restaurant car (ÖBB have ditched the Henrys brand) is a pleasant place to enjoy a meal, even if it may set you back €8.50 for a sandwich...
So yeah. That’s me done. Hope you didn’t find dat too shabby. If you thought it was OK maybe check out my upcoming critiques, non?
Followed by CD Eurocity and DB ICE Business and First Classes.
The reviews should be out on those dates if not earlier. Almost certainly not later though so I’ll see you then and until next time:
Kick your runners off and make yourself comfy.
And chill.
Lates
Don’t worry this was only a hopefully humorous addition. No panic attacks will ever really be suffered by me, so long as you keep me away from Bognor Regis I do like my Wi-Fi though (c’mon dudes, who doesn’t?!)
Ace aren’t they.The Taurus do look and sound very impressive, a sort of modern-day European 91 but in the style of an 89.
Um why? I did actually lol. Leant against the carriage wall and relaxed across all three seats.Very nice, those seats look comfy! I wish we still had at least First Class compartments, even if it was one out of 2 or 3 coaches in long-distance trains.
I hope you took your shoes off
Switzerland is the nicest of Europe by far. But for the best views in the world, take’rr to Jasper eh?Maybe, you should have got a Sleeper then? The scenery in Austria is definitely in the league of Switzerland, much of Italy, southern France and the Scottish Highlands, stunningly scenic.
There was a tenth of my legs across all three seats to show what a long sofa they made when put together, but I found it so embarrassing I begged Mr Ainsworth74 to remove it, which he kindly did for me.Also, there's only 9 photos
Find out soonIntriguing, we're the banana chips any good?
True dat but I like it to myself. Rather a saloon seat than a compartment with strangers.I like the fact they have such a choice, I suppose saloon gives better all-round views but I like that old-fashioned cosiness of a compartment.
Thanks it was.Not too shabby at all, sounded like a very enjoyable trip through some fantastic scenery (some of the time ).
3Any idea which version of the ICE?
Coolio thanks.Look forward to it
I won’t go into one of my infamous “Ztories” but I have one about that... was Ryan telling you about DartShrieker?Carefully avoiding hitting other passengers I hope!
Um. Congrats?Well I've been in the freezer much of the day so I'm pretty chilled.
Not bad thanks bro. My favourite was probably RegioJet. I’m not gonna be able to wait long to publish that so you might get it early.Anyway, sounds like you had a great time, mate
Goodbye, hexagon789So we can expect a critiquing of a trip down to Bognor soon then?
Ace aren’t they.
Um why? I did actually lol. Leant against the carriage wall and relaxed across all three seats.
Switzerland is the nicest of Europe by far. But for the best views in the world, take’rr to Jasper eh?
There was a tenth of my legs across all three seats to show what a long sofa they made when put together, but I found it so embarrassing I begged Mr Ainsworth74 to remove it, which he kindly did for me.
Find out soon
True dat but I like it to myself. Rather a saloon seat than a compartment with strangers.
I mean, imagine if one of the ither passengers was like Atomic Train Host?! Or The Plumpy of Pompy, I need to tell you about that one, Ryan brought her up yesterday.
Thanks it was.
3
Coolio thanks.
I won’t go into one of my infamous “Ztories” but I have one about that... was Ryan telling you about DartShrieker?
Um. Congrats?
Not bad thanks bro. My favourite was probably RegioJet. I’m not gonna be able to wait long to publish that so you might get it early.
Goodbye, hexagon789
That’s nice of you to say, thank you!Great read. I love the Alps, my favourite scenery in any part of the world.
men with GUNS
Thanks! You can’t hear it from on board sadly. Steak tartar I’ve not heard of but the spinach was revolting!Great read, would love to give Raijet a go if only in the hope of hearing the Taurus sing to me on board. Ha ha. Looks like a great service. I'd probably be alright with the creamed spinach. Nothing could be worse than the steak tartar I had last time I was in Warsaw. To be fair to the good people of Poland I don't think it is a local dish. I did nearly throw up on my plate though.
Good afternoon. Today I cover a train which has always been an ambition of mine, partly because of it’s musical traction, partly because of the scenery outside, partly because of the comfortable black leather.
So, ladies and gentlemen, I start my journey in the snow-topped mountains of Innsbruck, a picturesque location to the far West of Austria. The beautiful sounding Taurus locomotive I am about to board will see me head east, along the German border to the attractive city of Salzburg, famous for being the city in which the Sound of Music is set.
the attractive brunette behind the desk
Having not eaten since 8am (it now being 5pm), I made my way to the mini buffet that was available. It was really... different! Totally different from your average lounge offering, and nice too, if a little odd...
Banana chips, dates, pretzels, nuts, dried peas, ricecakes, raisins, oatcakes and weirdly shaped sponge cakes...
(Has Austria gone vegan?!)
I shovelled a few pretzels and banana chips onto my plate and, um, “enjoyed” (?) them with a Coke Zero - which was a BOTTLE, not a can! Great stuff. I don’t eat much but I drink a load during journeys so the more Coke in a free serving the better
Now the seats used in First, are the same type of seat but stretched out a bit, so that they are wider. These are used in a 2x1 seating layout and unlike the Economy seats, offer window curtains, recline, leather instead of moquette and at seat dining.
A smooth ride through the Alps was enjoyed. The ride quality is great and the seats extremely comfortable. However, seven thirty PM came soon enough. Still two hours or so to go. All I’d eaten since 8am was a few banana chips and a mini pretzel.
Which I made use of happily and ordered the Roast Beef with Austrian Beef-infused potato.
It came fairly quickly! The food looked pretty nice too, generous helpings. That looks like one slice of beef but there’s another beneath it. So much better than Virgin West Coast.
I tell you what I didn’t like though, and that was the side dish that came with it. “Creamed Spinach” they called it. It looked like green goo… it stank like seaweed, and when I dared try a tiny bit, the taste was actually like... well, you know when you’re surfing and suddenly a monster wave causes you to fall off your board and into the sea. And then you end up with a mouth full of seawater. That is EXACTLY what it tasted like. So I left all of that...
Lounge offering is weird. Generous as far as variety goes! But weird.
WednesdayTipsNTruth: Is Business Class on ÖBB RailJet worth the extra over First? 25TH APRIL
Followed by:
Czech RegioJet Business Class
Ceske Drahy Eurocity First
These will be out before the deadline on the schedule I originally posted a few weeks ago. Possibly before! Not after.
So if you wish to read those feel free
Recline;
Don’t eat the green stuff...
- Make use of the AWESOME (and existant this time) Wi-Fi.
And chill.
Rock on
Steak tartar I’ve not heard of but the spinach was revolting!
ThanksAs ever, look forward to them
Sorry what?Sadly not easy to do just now
Sorry what?
And raw mince?! GROSS!!!
Thanks for your comment!
Thank youSome great reviews there, of the best country for rail travel IMO.
There isn't that much in Innsbruck, so I'd say that Salzburg is the better city.
Ah well. Lovely sound. As for the Steak Tartar, I see someone else has described it. Ha ha. Raw minced beef with a raw egg on top, exactly what it is. Now I will try anything but that is just about the only thing I will never go near again. Everything about it, the texture, the flavour, was vile. I never normally do this on my travels but after we left the restaurant I went to a McDonalds for a quick bite to eat once I'd stopped feeling nauseous. Ha ha.Thanks! You can’t hear it from on board sadly. Steak tartar I’ve not heard of but the spinach was revolting!