Becket McGrath
@bmcgrath.bsky.social
British European, competition lawyer and proud centrist dad
Agree. Punctuality not be great at the moment but it’s hard to beat the simplicity and clarity of the DB ICE livery.
December 9, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Agree. Punctuality not be great at the moment but it’s hard to beat the simplicity and clarity of the DB ICE livery.
Interesting (and depressing) chart from Paul Johnson at a presentation for Frontier Economics. As a reminder, Brexit took effect at end of 2020, on expiry of transition period. Yes, there was Covid too but that self-inflicted blow must be a key factor in the woeful growth in UK incomes since 2020.
December 4, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Interesting (and depressing) chart from Paul Johnson at a presentation for Frontier Economics. As a reminder, Brexit took effect at end of 2020, on expiry of transition period. Yes, there was Covid too but that self-inflicted blow must be a key factor in the woeful growth in UK incomes since 2020.
I do love travelling by train in Germany but it is a bit of a lottery these days. Out of three trips this week, one was delayed over an hour, the next was delayed just under an hour and the third was perfect, until a key connection was cancelled. Required an expensive taxi to bridge the gap.
November 15, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I do love travelling by train in Germany but it is a bit of a lottery these days. Out of three trips this week, one was delayed over an hour, the next was delayed just under an hour and the third was perfect, until a key connection was cancelled. Required an expensive taxi to bridge the gap.
We should be glad that F.S. didn’t follow through with their plan to route all Rome high speed trains through Tiburtina, instead of Termini, although TBF facilities are a lot better than your example, including the largest imaginable sweet shop.
August 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
We should be glad that F.S. didn’t follow through with their plan to route all Rome high speed trains through Tiburtina, instead of Termini, although TBF facilities are a lot better than your example, including the largest imaginable sweet shop.
It has to be my March trip to Venice with my dad on the @europeansleeper.eu
June 5, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It has to be my March trip to Venice with my dad on the @europeansleeper.eu
Congratulations to the British and EU negotiating teams.
Seems like a fitting day to be remembering the dead of two world wars at the naval cemetery on Hoy. Those buried there include German sailors shot while escaping from their scuttled ships on Scapa Flow in June 1919.
Seems like a fitting day to be remembering the dead of two world wars at the naval cemetery on Hoy. Those buried there include German sailors shot while escaping from their scuttled ships on Scapa Flow in June 1919.
May 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Congratulations to the British and EU negotiating teams.
Seems like a fitting day to be remembering the dead of two world wars at the naval cemetery on Hoy. Those buried there include German sailors shot while escaping from their scuttled ships on Scapa Flow in June 1919.
Seems like a fitting day to be remembering the dead of two world wars at the naval cemetery on Hoy. Those buried there include German sailors shot while escaping from their scuttled ships on Scapa Flow in June 1919.
A smooth journey up to Orkney. Great service from everyone at @caledoniansleeper.bsky.social
May 17, 2025 at 8:18 AM
A smooth journey up to Orkney. Great service from everyone at @caledoniansleeper.bsky.social
Agreed but they need to do something about this. I had a smooth journey from Berlin to London yesterday and check in at Brussels Midi was definitely the low point (a queue for security that was eventually processed but still led to departure being delayed by 8 minutes). Paris can be even worse.
April 22, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Agreed but they need to do something about this. I had a smooth journey from Berlin to London yesterday and check in at Brussels Midi was definitely the low point (a queue for security that was eventually processed but still led to departure being delayed by 8 minutes). Paris can be even worse.
Back in London, 10 hours after leaving Berlin Hbf. Not bad really.
April 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Back in London, 10 hours after leaving Berlin Hbf. Not bad really.
Currywurst from the BordBistro. Busy but smooth change in Cologne. Next stop Brussels. #trainsnotplanes
April 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Currywurst from the BordBistro. Busy but smooth change in Cologne. Next stop Brussels. #trainsnotplanes
There are many reasons why travelling on a German train is more pleasant than a British one but the lack of constant announcements saying ‘see it, say it, sorted’ must be high on the list.
April 21, 2025 at 10:42 AM
There are many reasons why travelling on a German train is more pleasant than a British one but the lack of constant announcements saying ‘see it, say it, sorted’ must be high on the list.
Berlin to London by train in a day. First leg, Berlin to Köln. #trainsnotplanes
April 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Berlin to London by train in a day. First leg, Berlin to Köln. #trainsnotplanes
Making our way nicely across Northern Italy now.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Making our way nicely across Northern Italy now.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Good morning from Kufstein, as the London to Venice by train adventure reaches Austria.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Good morning from Kufstein, as the London to Venice by train adventure reaches Austria.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Good morning from Kufstein, as the London to Venice by train adventure reaches Austria.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 13, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Good morning from Kufstein, as the London to Venice by train adventure reaches Austria.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Passing the SBB Zurich night train at Eindhoven.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 12, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Passing the SBB Zurich night train at Eindhoven.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Made it to the Netherlands, on our Venice by train adventure.
March 12, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Made it to the Netherlands, on our Venice by train adventure.
I’m hoping this is a mistake…
March 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I’m hoping this is a mistake…
Not quite the Orient Express. Next stop Venice? Currently uncertain…
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 12, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Not quite the Orient Express. Next stop Venice? Currently uncertain…
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Not long to wait now for the next (but not final) leg of London to Venice by train.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Not long to wait now for the next (but not final) leg of London to Venice by train.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Next leg of London to Venice.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 12, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Next leg of London to Venice.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
First leg of London to Brussels by train.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
March 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
First leg of London to Brussels by train.
#trainsnotplanes
#trainsnotplanes
Andreas Mundt’s one wish, were he to be granted one by incoming Chancellor Merz, would be for the Bundeskartellamt to be given direct consumer enforcement powers. UK CMA a step ahead there, at least.
#oecd
#oecd
February 26, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Andreas Mundt’s one wish, were he to be granted one by incoming Chancellor Merz, would be for the Bundeskartellamt to be given direct consumer enforcement powers. UK CMA a step ahead there, at least.
#oecd
#oecd