Month: September 2015

Human Towers

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Sometimes DonQui is quite puzzled by the things humans can get up to.

11 September is the Diada Nacional de Catalunya – the Catalonian National Day and DonQui finds himself in Tarragona where the humans like to climb on top of each other whenever they get the chance. He tries to imagine what a tower of Donkeys would look like but then realises that Donkeys would be far too sensible to do such a thing.

Human Tower

DonQui is quite envious of the man in the foreground’s straw hat and hopes he will get one soon.

The Train to Spain

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TGV train

The Duchess had booked first class which pleased DonQui very much as he quite likes a comfortable seat and would rather avoid being crowded by lots of humans.
The nice Man in Seat 61 had given DonQui lots of helpful advice on train travel in Europe. He had suggested it was possible to take the 9:17 Eurostar from London to Paris, arrive at 12:47, have a fine lunch at the Train Bleu Restaurant at the Gare de Lyon and then hop on the 14:07 TGV to arrive in Barcelona at 20:33.
This did cause DonQui to scratch his head. As much as he was looking forward to a fine French meal, managing such a thing in just over an hour would be tricky at the best of times. Add in the journey from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon and DonQui thought he would be lucky to get a croque-monsieur from a snack bar.
He was right.
With his innate sense of direction, DonQui successfully navigated his way across Paris: follow the signs for Metro/RER and look for the RER ligne D to Metun; buy a Metro ticket from the Green machines (not the SCNF ones) and use it to get through the barriers, retaining it to do the same on exit. DonQui felt rather pleased with himself that he was able to help out some rather lost and bewildered Australian tourists looking for a train to Zurich. “Follow me,” he said jauntily. And follow him they did.

Paris Metro
Although Gare de Lyon is only two stops away from Gare du Nord, the RER train runs only once every 15 minutes. DonQui felt his lovely French lunch slipping further away as he got to the platform just as a train was leaving. When he arrived at the Gare de Lyon the TGV to Barcelona began boarding and there wasn’t even time for a bag of oats.
A baguette with cheese and ham, washed down with a bottle of Côtes de Bourg from the bar on board may not have been lunch at the magnificent art nouveau Train Bleu Restaurant but it went a long way to restoring DonQui’s spirits. He sat back and watched the French countryside wizz by at nearly 300 km/hr while he thought important thoughts.

DonQui Recommends

The Man in Seat 61 for tons of helpful advice on train travel all over the world

Loco2.com for train times and reservations in English. Tickets cost the same as buying on the continent.

Travelling first class on the TGV as the cost is often not much more than the regular fare

Eurostar to Paris

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DonQui was glad to be travelling to Spain by train as he had been told it was far more comfortable and relaxing than flying.

Eurostar

After the chaotic, poorly organised check-in at the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras, DonQui began to have second thoughts. Perhaps it would have been better to have flown with Ryanair as they at least know how to herd animals properly.

Thankfully DonQui got to St Pancras early enough to enjoy a fabulous croissant and coffee at Le Pain Quotidien before braving the check-in queue. If he hadn’t had some sustenance before hand then Mr Grumpy would certainly have made an appearance. Check-in for the Eurostar closes 30 mins before departure and it takes at least that long to get through security, British and French border controls with a chaotic queuing system that has lines coming together from several directions.

After Eurostar check in

The whole process left DonQui feeling quite exhausted and wishing that he was lazing on a sunny beach wearing a straw hat.

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When he finally got on the Eurostar, DonQui slept most of the way to Paris.

DonQui Recommends

Get to the Eurostar terminal in plenty of time plan on it taking a good 30 minutes to get through check-in, security and border controls.

Across London

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So many people! Where are they all going? It’s exhausting!

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At least DonQui is crossing London by bus — better than the crowded Tube. It might take a bit longer but at least he can look out the window and see the city go by. If he is not sure which bus to take, the handy Citimapper App gives him all the options, shows him the nearest stop and tells him when the next bus is coming.

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Early next morning it is time to set off for Paris. When his is feeling flush, travelling with others or taking lots of baggage DonQui does like taking a black cab. There is lots of space for luggage, and the humans who drive them seem to know everything. They also know every road in London and where all the shortcuts are. DonQui hopes that satnavs and Uber will not seal their doom.

DonQui uses his Hailo App to call up a Black Cab any time or any place and takes credit cards as well.

DonQui Recommends:

Citimapper for getting around Town. He uses it to find the best routes around London but it is available for other cities too.

Hailo for calling a black cab in London

The Adventure Begins

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DonQui  is off on his travels. He likes red because as everyone knows red things go faster. He is thinking of going to Spain as he thinks his ancestors came from there. But first he has to go to London. He has never been to London before. In fact he has never been to any big city. He wonders what it will be like.