I’m basically a very sedentary old lady now, but when I was younger I used to travel quite regularly.

Things change...

We all evolve even though we remain ourselves. With age I've learnt to appreciate the less evident flavour of little daily pleasures, rather than running abroad after presumed exciting novelties.

Anyway, when I need to go anywhere out of my beloved Bearshire, the only bearable means of transport for me is a train.
I find this mode of transportation very comfortable.
Railway stations are still full of old fashioned charm, while airports are always too busy, too gloomy, too noisy.

Waiting for a flight in an international airport is infinitely tiring for me. I have the impression of being in a no-man’s land, where the usual life has stopped, but the trip hasn't started yet.

Trains are different, at least if one can choose a comfortable one.
Time gets another dimension. All follows the rhythm of the wheels on the rails and it’s nice to slow down everything, including thoughts, to spend time on a book page or dream a little looking through the window as the landscape slides by.

After all the confusion of the Venice Carnival, my trip back home by train was really relaxing.
Here you can see a photo of me taken in the dining-car.

Immediately after that, I noticed that a very dear old friend of mine was sitting behind me; I didn’t know he would have been on the same train.

So we could enjoy each oth's company and the trip was even more pleasant.