[Debian-uk] Trains from London to Caceres via Paris and Madrid for Debconf

[Ian Jackson]

Since I don't like to fly unless I can avoid it, both because it's
deeply unpleasant and because it's bad for the planet, I will be going
to Caceres from Cambridge by train.  This takes a little over 1 day,
including (of course) a night on a sleeper.  It's likely to be more
expensive than flying.  (#insert rant about subsidies for air travel.)

If anyone would like to join me on either leg then that would be
nice.  I'm also happy to offer advice and information.

My own plans are roughly this:

 July 2009
 Wed 22nd       12:15           Cambridge
                13:03           London King's Cross
                14:04           London St Pancras
                17:26           Paris Nord
                19:46           Paris Austerlitz
 Thu 23rd       09:10           Madrid Chamartin
                09:55           Madrid Atocha
                13:49           Caceres

 Thu 30th       09:25           Caceres
                12:51           Madrid Atocha
                13:30           Madrid Atocha
                16:54           Barcelona Sants
                17:25           Barcelona Sants
                20:07           Cerbere
                21:21           Cerbere
 Fri 31st       07:30           Paris Austerlitz
                09:13           Paris Nord
                10:36           London St Pancras
                10:45 11:15     London King's Cross
                11:31 12:01     Cambridge

As you see I'm leaving a day early - this is because I have another
con to go to in Cambridge.

The times above are provisional (I used the dates in April rather than
July as bookings are not yet open for travel in July) but something
along very similar lines should be possible.  I have done a similar
journey before - to Seville - and it worked well apart from spending
slightly too much time sightseeing in Madrid on in the afternoon, and
catching the once-a-night sleeper to Paris by two minutes - shaving it
much closer than I intend to repeat.

The return via Barcelona is for (a) variety and (b) to avoid hanging
around in Madrid all afternoon.  There is the following alternative:

 Thu 30th       09:25           Caceres
                12:51           Madrid Atocha
                19:00           Madrid Chamartin
 Fri 31st       08:27           Paris Austerlitz
                10:13           Paris Nord
                11:28           London St Pancras
                11:45           London King's Cross
                12:31           Cambridge

If you have the time and inclination to do some actual sightseeing in
Madrid you could stay an extra day there.

See also www.seat61.com.

Ian.