So I said I would jot down some thoughts about how I tour by bike. I must stress that there are a hundred different ways to do this, and my lackadaisical approach is far from the definitive one!

For anyone that's interested, I am on the 'gram and the sky blue place. Type in Tim Cycles The Coast, and you'll find me. Hope to see some of you over there x

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That's me done on here. The owner is an obnoxious narcissist whose incendiary language is going to get someone killed. The algorithm is dominated by abhorrent far-right blue ticks. It's not a pleasant place to be anymore. Sad, because I've enjoyed my time here for the most part.

Happy New Year to one and all. Have an enjoyable evening whatever you're doing, and here's to 2025. Hope it proves to be an excellent vintage 🥂❤️

Home alone this Christmas. It's been a relaxing day. A walk first thing, then a bit of telly & a read of my new book. Dinner was roasted veg & a chicken Kyiv out of the freezer. Next up, an early night! Solidarity with those of you also flying solo. Hope you've had a good day.

Lunch! 👌

Home! 👍🍺

Last night on the road. It's been an epic journey, but now I am quite weary. Quite looking forward to sleeping in a stationary bed! I do love the Hook of Holland to Harwich ferry though. It's been the start or finish point of many brilliant cycling adventures. Nice way to end.

Nearing the end. The slow travel across Turkey has gradually speeded up to the point where the last few days and countries have been a blur. I barely know where I am. This place could easily be Rotterdam, or Liverpool, or anywhere or Rome. Actually I'm pretty sure it's Rotterdam.

Another seamless sleeper train journey. Incredible that I've got from Tbilisi to Berlin with everything running on time! Now waiting for my connection to Amsterdam, then the Hook of Holland ferry, and home tomorrow lunchtime. Berlin Central station is pretty impressive.

I'm in Vienna. This means nothing to me.

Soup in a loaf and chicken paprikash for lunch. That's it for Hungary! Now a couple of hours on the train to Vienna, to pick up the sleeper to Berlin.

Boat trip on the Danube. A nice break from all the walking!

Budapest-Keleti, one of the great European railway stations. I've got a few hours to mooch about the Hungarian capital before an afternoon connection to Vienna, to pick up the Berlin-bound sleeper.

Construction stopped when Communism collapsed in 1989, with the building 70% completed. There was talk of tearing it down, but the building was eventually finished. It has 1,100 rooms and 2,800 chandeliers, and at just over 4m tonnes, is the world's heaviest building.

The Presidential Palace in Bucharest. The scale of the place is staggering. Construction started under the Ceaușescu regime in 1983. 20,000 workers and 700 architects and engineers laboured round the clock at a cost of $2bn. Meanwhile the Romanian people were starving.

The 1758 sleeper from Bucharest Nord to Budapest Keleti. Compartment is made up as a double, but so far it's me, myself and I. Fingers crossed!

Cărturești Carusel in Bucharest. I've got serious bookshop envy!

I couldn't do Sofia to Bucharest on the train, so had to get an overnight bus. No bother, except I barely slept, so I'm tired today. Also, unlike the train which arrives at a civilised time, the bus spits you out into the city at 5.30am when it's -3°C and everywhere is shut!

Despite the weather, I rather enjoyed my wander round Sofia. It sure does have some handsome buildings, plus the centre is quite compact- handy for an old man with dodgy knees!

Can't believe we're reached December 15th, and I haven't had a mince pie yet. Normally mainlining a box a day at this point!