Summer 2024 : Onwards To Wismar

I had a mixed night in the Schulz Hotel - I woke up with a nosebleed which is bad enough, but then it's a case of trying to prevent the bed looking like it's been slept in by a serial axe-murderer! Then my feet and ankles started itching! It was about an hour before I got off again.

It's just as well we didn't need to rush this morning. Mrs Mike had the bright idea of taking a couple of rolls with some cheese for our lunch. It's years since I've 'stolen' breakfast food to eat later - it still fills me with a touch of guilt!!

We walked across to the station in plenty of time and watched a series of ICE services depart. Our RE8 train arrived about 5 minutes late.

The train was a modern double decker (possibly a KissTrain?) run by OEDG who I assume are the regional operator. First class is upstairs which gives a wonderful view from the comfort of the leather seats. There's loads of space for luggage.

Standard class was very full all the time, and I have to wonder why they use such short trains.

The journey didn't go according to the plan however. There was a 'police possession' of the line which meant that our train would terminate short - and we were turfed out at Bad Wilsnack with no information about onward travel, or even if the next train in two hours would run.

In the end we were rescued by the kindness of a stranger. He had helped us understand the situation on the train, and then at Bad Wilsnack offered to drive us to the next station. And despite lack of information at the station - we are on the way!

While it is easy to criticise German railways I cannot hold this issue at their door - although the provision of replacement bus services & information could arguably have been handled better.

My wife has discovered she's left her walking stick on the previous train. This has happened before - I'm going shopping again!

We're also hitting an issue that I predicted - as we get further from Berlin, and deeper in what was East Germany, we are finding fewer and fewer people who speak even basic English - a smile & acting stupid seems to help!

Anyway... We arrived in Wismar only about an hour later than expected.

But - here follows a cultural observation - as we, and several other people were trying to get off the train there was a pile-on of people trying get on the train without any recognition of the issues they were causing. This is also seen on pavements where people will walk directly towards you without any intention of yielding. It's very odd, and intensely frustrating. End of the rant.

It was a longer than expected walk (again) from the station, with rain threatening - but we somehow have bagged a room upgrade at the Town House Hotel, and what a lovely room it is, with huge windows overlooking the square. I could get used to this!