Flat plains drifter…Germany #12

Got my coffee and waiting on the platform at Lübeck station for a train to Hamburg then onto Berlin.Had to let the previous train go as my pass said there was a bus replacement so not a hope in hell I’m getting involved in that if I can avoid it…also the change between trains was five minutes so decided to get a later one where you don’t need to be Usain Bolt to catch the damn thing…I don’t mind hanging around,sort of used to it by now…

Even though I have been to Berlin on many occasions this time will be my first staying in the former Soviet section.I will be in Pankow which i don’t recall ever going to before.I only know the name because it’s the final stop on a U-Bahn line.It’s the red line so if you know your London Tube Pankow is probably Berlin‘s version of Theydon Bois.Or perhaps not…

All this train lark must be making me jaded.This train is a double decker and I have chosen to go downstairs.Also all the seats are reserved but as it’s basically a commuter train from Lübeck to Hamburg ( about 50 miles) I think they just haven’t bothered to turn the signs off,at least I hope that’s the case…

On the train to Berlin from Hamburg,it’s a few minutes late but no big hurry today.It’s a long old journey as it’s going from north to east and then south to Bavaria.I was a wee bit concerned about not booking a seat but grabbed one and as Berlin is the first stop all looks good.The seat is “ Vorrangplatz” meaning a priority seat.Don’t know what it means but assume it’s like our buses and it’s for moaning old bastards like me.Next stop the madness that is Berlin HBF…anyway it’s about 180 miles away and takes about the same time as London to Brum( no stops helps)When DB get it right it’s usually pretty damn good…

In both Bremen & Lübeck I did‘nt bother buying any local transport tickets,not because I’m a bad boy but because I walked everywhere but Berlin is different.The transport system will be in constant use…I’m there from today (7th) until the 12th and you‘d think buying a daily pass would be cheaper than a weekly,however despite losing out on two days usage buying a weekly one works out over €6 cheaper.If I was there a week it would be €26 cheaper.Worth considering if you’re going to Berlin for four days plus…

Phew! A lesson in not getting too cocky.Thought I had sussed everything out about where this place was but went to wrong way out of the station and ended up miles away! Eventuality retraced my steps and after much sweating & swearing I have found it…bloody hell it’s out of the way but they do have a washing machine so things are not all bad…

Once I have stopped sweating I will check out the local area which from my point of view looks like nothing more than scrubland…

Laters…