Across France at night

Whoosh!

Well not quite, we didn't book a fast train. But it is night time, and I was asleep before we left the station, so I totally missed all the lit up scenery on the first stage. Been travelling for four and a half hours, and while everyone else sleeps, I'm awake. Gotta wonder how long it takes to get back in sync.

BTW train seats, even in second class recliners, are more comfortable for sleeping than economy plane seats. They recline further (similar to semi-cama coach seats on South American buses), and I guess it works because everybody is at the same laid back angle - unless you have a larger person sitting in front of you, in which case, their seat goes back slightly further, giving a little less space for the legs.

I so need a picture!!!

Notes to self

• 33€ p/p booked 2 months in advance
• Austerlitz Station has areas for suburban Metro trains as well as long distance trains. 
• Suburban Metro staff don't necessarily speak English, and I speak even less French. 
• Tickets bought over the Internet work out fine. 
• Printed E-Tickets don't need to be validated before boarding.  
• Seat numbers 12 and 18, may not be consecutive, but they are together. Go figure. 
• 'Last remaining seats' doesn't necessarily mean the train will be full - simply means you got the last tickets in that price range. Train tickets in Europe are a bit like airline tickets - various price structures, with cheapest tickets selling out first. 
• Tickets go on sale 3 mths in advance, a timeline I missed in this case. But 33 EUR each is not bad.

All things considered, another successful travel day - we worked out all that we needed to know to make necessary connections in time. Next bit will be to see if

• we know when to get off ( Bayonne is not the end of the line)
• we can manage to open the doors and make it off the train in the short time it's at the station. Advice from other forums say - You only have 2 minutes so have bags ready at the door and you need to push the green button to open the door.

I'm sure our kids are grinning at the thought of us making out way anywhere by train. I'm sure regular train travellers know about green buttons, and can confidently figure out various ticketing procedures, but I'm a country-oldie. I grew up with independent private transport, and I agonise over the simplest public transport processes. Train travel is a totally foreign concept to us, even in our own country and language, and requires gentle hand holding, and several guided test runs.

Definitely Children's Guidance Recommended.

So Thanks kids, looks like you did a damn fine splendid job!

Postscript

In the early morning we passed through some spectacular scenery, lots of heavy fog, making me feel even more nervous about my clothes rations, and glimpses of some impressive majestic buildings. In particular, Pau seems to be somewhere worth further investigation. It also highlights missed opportunities during the night.

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