Brass monkeys

Today saw us on a train from Amsterdam to Warsaw.  It's a 13 hour trip through Germany.  We left at 9.01 and we are supposed to arrive in Warsaw at about 10pm.  However, our train at Berlin was delayed and we may be even later.  Saw some snow today and there was even some falling.  Our train went quite fast through the German countryside and the snow was being whipped up by the train.  We bought first class seats in Amsterdam so we travelled in comfort, once the heating had been sorted out!  It was blowing out cold air and I popped down to find a conductor to talk to about it.  All the way down I could see people fiddling with the heaters and holding their hands over the vent to see what was being pumped out.  So it wasn't just me!  I got to practice my German when I was in Berlin.  I found I could order food satisfactorily, but a Big Mac is a Big Mac in any language I guess.  My Polish, however, is not so good.  I also managed to get our seats upgraded to First Class for the Poland leg to but, for that part, my German consisted of 'Sprechen Sie Englisch?' and, when she said 'A little' it was all good.  Turns out it wasn't the €30 each we were quoted in Amsterdam but should have been €9 and that fee was waived too because we had already paid too much (well that was the gist that I got from the conversation between the lady serving us and the guy she was talking to).  So it is first class all the way.  This part of the journey is in darkness so I will be catching up on my book.

Snow at one of the many VW factories we passed going through Germany

The train carriage from Berlin to Warsaw.

It was pretty cold in Berlin so I suspect it will be thermals for the next few days of our journey in Poland.  The nice Polish man in the apron just came through to ask if we wanted tea or coffee.  When we said no, he uttered the magic word, free.  So coffee it is then!  We also got a little biscuit and a chocolate.  I seem to be quite staticky at the moment and every time I touch the door I zap myself.  Such fun!  There is also some snow inside the train.

One warning for all you unsuspecting travellers, push the red button to lock the toilet door.  I think the conductor dude was more embarrassed than I was though when he walked in on me buttoning up!

(Arrival in Warsaw temperature update...-10 according to Mr Google.)