Älmhult to Oslo

Yesterday was my first train day, just under 9 hours from Älmhult to Oslo.
After a lazy morning I had to catch my first train at 13:10, In my usual fashion I left it to the last minute - getting in a bit running pratice on my way to the station. Sadly, the Swedish rail network did not show the same urgency and was completely static for 40 minutes, my time between transfers at Linköping was only 10 minutes. I left knowing that my chances of making the next train were bleak but I was no better where I was so I took the train regardless.
As the journey continued the obvious became more certain and there was no chance I was going to make the next train to Katrineholm, I checked and there was no other train onwards to Oslo until the next morning - shit!
This is where my luck changed and I was told that the train would make an extra un-scheduled stop at Katrineholm and we should make it in time for the onward train to Oslo - we did by seconds, thankfully the other train was a couple of minutes late.
Thanks to Swedish rail, I was bound for Oslo and there were no more transfers to contend with, more suprising I was on the exact train I was meant to be on. Drama over, I could sit back and enjoy the journey and what a beautiful part of the world.
At 21:45 we arrived in Oslo in the dark of the Scandivanian night and desperately in need of my hotel and and bed to put this crazy day behind me.

Älmhult, Sweden

I generally do not conform with the norm when holidays are concerned, trekking up mountains or trying to kill myself in unforgiving environments, today has been one one of those days but for completely different reasons.
A much needed, and this time intended, lay-in has got my calmness back and a day spent in the placid town of Älmhult has been an amazing tonic to my normal existance.
Patrick and Silke very kindly allowed me to stay with them and it has been so nice to be able to potter about leisurely, going for a bike ride to the nearby lake and even just helping entertain their children for a short while. Tonight we had a fantastic Thai curry and German beer with some really nice neighbours coming round, turns out no-one in Sweden is actually Swedish - all English or German.Tomorrow I depart for Oslo and a very different few days, I shall certainly miss this place.
The bloody Swedish rail website is faulty at the present and I'm not 100% certain which train I need to getin the morningp I do know that it is going to be a very long day of travelling but it would be great to not miss another transport connection.
Fingers crossed!

Älmhult, Sweden

By usual standards this was meant to be a relaxed holiday, obviously I wasn't going to be sat by a pool but at least things aren't supposed to be too mad. That idea didn't really go so well. 2 alarms set for 3 o'clock, a 6:50am flight and waking up at 6am - not a winning combination.
Many expletives later, a 10 minute phone call to BA and £150 paid out, new flight at 2:35pm. I spent the next few hours desperately trying not to fall asleep, I was not missing 2 flights in the same day.
Despite being long, my day has subsequently gone smoothly. RailAir, flights and trains all pretty much on time and so, as 8pm arrived I was on the outskirts of Älmhult (home of the first ever IKEA, although aparently it's now gone), my resting place gor the next 2 days.
Beer and homemade pizza awaited my arrival, I may have been 8 hours late but better late than never. I don't really have any margin for error on the next travelling sections of this trip so might be wise not screw-up any more!
Sleep beckons now.

Endure24 - The Photos

Endure24

24 hours 24 mins 46 secs. 185 miles run.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Amazing running from the whole and some really quick laps recorded even despite the heat and lack of sleep. Unbelievable to find such a great mix of crazy people who share my love for pushing the boundries. So massive thanks to;
Jamie Smith
Suzanne Hooker
Jenny Eaton
Ed Brady
Emma Smith
Jamie Shillam
Dave Lennon
Awesome guys!!

Endure24 -Sunday 7:30am

Shattered, 4 laps done and 1 to go. Just had a bacon sandwich and a cup of tea, hopefully that will compensate for a  mere two and a half hours sleep.

Endure24 - Sunday 2am

Just finished my 3rd lap, my first in absolte darkness and still recording sub 40 mins per lap. Mixed feelings of tiredness and adreniline, only 10 hours to go!!
The team are doing amazing, I think we're currently in 6th place.
Having a beer!  :)