#wrigglingintowinter — Public Fediverse posts

#WrigglingIntoWinter was the most spontaneous trip I have ever made across such a long distance. Even though we had to deal with fully booked trains and accommodation, I am very happy that our idea worked out even at the turn of the year: We were able to visit many places I already knew and liked, as well as three places in 🇫🇮 #Finland. I didn't think it was possible. I don't know when I'll have the chance, but I definitely want to come back. Thank you very much for the interaction! 👋

Our #Nightjet reaches its final destination Zürich Main Station just on time. I am happy that this time, my Nighjet experience was even better than expected. #WrigglingIntoWinter has come to an end.

In the morning, I am woken up by someone shouting "Oh mäi Gott, äs isch Baasel!" repeatedly ("Oh my God, it's Basel!" in Basel dialect). I feel like joining in the excitement of being home soon. Anyway, calling at Basel means it is time for our #Nightjet breakfast. #WrigglingIntoWinter

This information in the DB Navigator app makes me fear another uncomfortable #Nighjet journey. Fortunately I was wrong. The two double-deck carriages are replaced by three single-deck carriages. Most of the compartments are marked with numbers on pieces of paper. The Newrest host open closed compartments for those who don't have one yet. 10 mins after boarding, it seems that everyone has their own compartment. I'm happy to be in a more spacious single-decker compartment. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Reviving Scandinavia's winter wonderlandat Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg to shorten the waiting time (unfortunately, these Northern Lights are the only ones seen on this trip, but for that purpose we should have gone further north) #WrigglingIntoWinter

The journey from Copenhagen to Hamburg is chaotic. Due to a technical failure, our #Eurocity 295 is about 25 minutes late and two out of seven carriages are closed. For a short time, the train was even displayed as cancelled. At least #DSB and/or #DB have organised a replacement bus from Kolding to Hamburg for passengers without seats. I haven't been on this bus, but it should arrive in Hamburg at the same time as the train (i.e. 10 minutes delayed). #WrigglingIntoWinter

Meeting a local in #Copenhagen. #WrigglingIntoWinter

#Øresundståg does perfectly what it is supposed to do: Take us across the Øresund. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Enjoying my pre-ordered 🌱 plant-based three-course meal from #SJ 's @diningcar as the #Swedish winter wonderland rolls past. #WrigglingIntoWinter

From Stockholm C to Malmö C, #SJ 's Snabbtåg as usual. This time with a delay of 55-65 minutes because the train set had to be exchanged. Meanwhile, snow has turned Southern Sweden into a ❄️ winter wonderland. #WrigglingIntoWinter

As a landlocked Swiss with an (irrational) aversion to boats and ferries, I am shocked by the number of people and the amount of entertainment available on board of what I thought was just a functional ferry for a nine hour long night crossing. The shop has more tills than my medium-sized supermarket at home.
I have to admit that, judging by the number of passengers, I seem to be one of the very few who prefer to enter Finland via Haparanda by 🚂🚌. 😉 #WrigglingIntoWinter

The ⛴ Viking Line ferry to Stockholm leaves Turku already 50 minutes after arrival! However, boarding is only possible 10 minutes before departure. Passengers squeeze into the waiting area behind check-in (not pictured). #WrigglingIntoWinter

Two days later it is time to leave #Helsinki and 🇫🇮 #Finland. We take an Intercity to Turku harbour. There are only a few trains a day, but they are well coordinated with the ferries. Unfortunately #Turku will have to wait until my next visit to Finland.
(I wonder why not all trains at this station can be displayed.) #WrigglingIntoWinter

Something is confusing me: Why is there a symbol with cancelled tickets? If I didn't know any better, I'd interpret it as a ticket ban (like the other symbols: no alcohol allowed, etc.). Wouldn't it be better to represent the obligation to buy a ticket in advance as, for example, two tickets with an exclamation mark? Also: Why is it dynamic on some trains and takes up valuable space on the displays? Do they still sell tickets on board? Maybe one of you can explain. #WrigglingIntoWinter #Helsinki

Doing some #VR exploratory trips around Helsinki. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Arriving at #Helsinki /Helsingfors (picture taken on the next day) #WrigglingIntoWinter

Wonderful scenery is rolling past, as snow has covered also southern regions of #Finland. 😊 #WrigglingIntoWinter

I'm getting a 🌱 plant-based pie with salad from #VR 's @diningcar. It is possible to order food to your seat using the VR app. However, you cannot use this service while travelling with #Interrail as it is linked to your booking. #WrigglingIntoWinter

The #VR Intercity journey Utajärvi-Helsinki starts with a delay of 25 minutes. It is reduced and compensated three hours later. The train gets fuller up until Kouvola. I am glad having bought a first class #Interrail and having access to Ekstra class, as the Eko class is almost fully booked and we tried to avoid buying rather expensive seat reservations by calling #VR 's hotline. I like the interior of Ekstra with the wooden design elements. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Some days later, we get on the Intercity train in Utajärvi again. It is - apart from the short ride Oulu-Utajärvi - my first "real" experience with the 🇫🇮 #VR. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Linguistic excursion: I'm glad I avoided both the living and the living room in our apartment. #WrigglingIntoWinter #LostInTranslation #Finnish #finland

Welcome to the resumption of #WrigglingIntoWinter. We have spent a few days in Utajärvi (near Oulu). I don't know how typical this Finnish station in the countryside is. It partly fulfilled my idyllic expectations: Three tracks, a narrow platform with a level crossing, a small, open waiting room, one unreadable notice as the only piece of information.

Finally, it is time for my first trip with the Finnish railway #VR. We leave Oulu on an Intercity train and take a three-day break somewhere in the countryside. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Winter in Oulu 😍 #WrigglingIntoWinter

The bus ride from Tornio is uneventful. We bought our ticket online from Matkahuolto. There is no QR code on the ticket, just our names. The driver ticks off our names on his mobile phone. I have never seen such a "system" before.
More and more people get on, especially in Tornio centre and in Kemi. We get off at Oulu bus station, next to the railway station. #WrigglingIntoWinter

At the moment, there are only night trains running from Tornio-Itäinen. So.Tornio does have train connections to other cities in Finland, but towards south only in the late evening and they are fully booked. After a three-hour break, continuing our journey by bus is the best option. #WrigglingIntoWinter

The 🇸🇪 Haparanda - 🇫🇮 Tornio bus station is located a 100 metres from the EU's northernmost internal border. Attention, it is also located on the time zone border. It is rather quiet here on Boxing Day. Some people discuss whether it is possible to buy a bus ticket without a mobile phone, switching between Swedish and Finnish. There are buses to Kiruna, Luleå, Umeå, Kemi, Rovaniemi and Oulu. #WrigglingIntoWinter

Haparanda, sunrise, 9:51 am. 😍 This is what I've been looking for. ❄️ #WrigglingIntoWinter

We enjoy our walk from the station Haparanda to the Finnish border. It is cold, quiet and slippery. 😊 #WrigglingIntoWinter

The border towns of 🇸🇪 Haparanda and 🇫🇮 Tornio have a local bus service called Ringlinjen. Its lines start at Haparanda railway station. It does not run on public holidays, so there's no need to study the timetable. #WrigglingIntoWinter