Philip of Staines
@philipdp.bsky.social
I love to share my adventures - and even more to enjoy yours! I live in Staines - and that is all you need to know...
Pilgrims' Progress...
October 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Pilgrims' Progress...
After a peaceful time in Kevelaer, it's back to reality on the railway. Our train south is short-formed with half the doors out of use, including the loo...
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
October 29, 2025 at 12:28 PM
After a peaceful time in Kevelaer, it's back to reality on the railway. Our train south is short-formed with half the doors out of use, including the loo...
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
We'll miss our connection at Krefeld, but since there's disruption onwards to Köln, we'll stay on until Düsseldorf.
Little known outside of Germany and the Netherlands, Kevelaer is a lovely little place to rest for a bit.
October 29, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Little known outside of Germany and the Netherlands, Kevelaer is a lovely little place to rest for a bit.
We had a nice time in Kevelaer, doing various pilgrimage activities. The Gnadenkapelle, with its tiny imagine of Our Lady of Luxembourg, is the centrepiece of this sanctuary.
October 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
We had a nice time in Kevelaer, doing various pilgrimage activities. The Gnadenkapelle, with its tiny imagine of Our Lady of Luxembourg, is the centrepiece of this sanctuary.
Krefeld Hbf used to be an efficient, tidy, convenient place to change trains. But with no toilets, ticket counter, staff, and most of the shops closed, it's now a bleak and miserable place. A shame, as the architecture is gorgeous.
October 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Krefeld Hbf used to be an efficient, tidy, convenient place to change trains. But with no toilets, ticket counter, staff, and most of the shops closed, it's now a bleak and miserable place. A shame, as the architecture is gorgeous.
Our next part of the journey was to take the stopper to Krefeld, where we would change trains. But once over the border, DB welcomed us in their customary way.
October 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Our next part of the journey was to take the stopper to Krefeld, where we would change trains. But once over the border, DB welcomed us in their customary way.
Onto the local service to Aachen!
October 27, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Onto the local service to Aachen!
We then took the Intercity to Verviers, where (most of us) got off as planned.
October 27, 2025 at 4:56 PM
We then took the Intercity to Verviers, where (most of us) got off as planned.
We got to Brussels no problem!
October 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
We got to Brussels no problem!
We're on parish pilgrimage - with two destinations on our itinerary. You will see the clue to one of them here...
October 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
We're on parish pilgrimage - with two destinations on our itinerary. You will see the clue to one of them here...
Home sweet home! Living opposite the station is a first class ticket all of its own...
August 28, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Home sweet home! Living opposite the station is a first class ticket all of its own...
Trains flashing around everywhere - just like Mumbai, but with the doors closed...
August 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Trains flashing around everywhere - just like Mumbai, but with the doors closed...
Waterloo International - due to a fire alert, Waterloo Underground was closed, but a brisk walk from Lambeth North soon had me back on track.
August 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Waterloo International - due to a fire alert, Waterloo Underground was closed, but a brisk walk from Lambeth North soon had me back on track.
St. Pancras International - on time and I'm at the front of the train.
August 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
St. Pancras International - on time and I'm at the front of the train.
Well, England...
August 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Well, England...
Lunch is served. Well, half a lunch.
August 28, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Lunch is served. Well, half a lunch.
After a bit of flirtation, we finally slip onto the high speed line near a place called Silly.
August 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
After a bit of flirtation, we finally slip onto the high speed line near a place called Silly.
The scenery is looking prettier than usual, but that's because we're diverted via the classic line due to engineering works.
August 28, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The scenery is looking prettier than usual, but that's because we're diverted via the classic line due to engineering works.
Hmm... I wonder if it will work?
August 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Hmm... I wonder if it will work?
After experiencing the overcrowded terminals at St. Pancras and Paris Nord, Brussels is the clear winner when it comes to Eurostar departure halls. And that's saying something...
August 28, 2025 at 12:03 PM
After experiencing the overcrowded terminals at St. Pancras and Paris Nord, Brussels is the clear winner when it comes to Eurostar departure halls. And that's saying something...
Soon, we are in Brussels.
August 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Soon, we are in Brussels.
The new units are spacious inside, but could do with a carpet and proper seat covers. A buffet would be nice too. And they're quite noisy.
August 28, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The new units are spacious inside, but could do with a carpet and proper seat covers. A buffet would be nice too. And they're quite noisy.
A mercifully short change at Amsterdam Zuid, a truly miserable place to wait for a train. No Albert Heijn, no Smullers, just two kiosky places and virtually nowhere to sit. It must be a delight in winter.
August 28, 2025 at 9:13 AM
A mercifully short change at Amsterdam Zuid, a truly miserable place to wait for a train. No Albert Heijn, no Smullers, just two kiosky places and virtually nowhere to sit. It must be a delight in winter.