swandav, I recall a post wherein you informed the OP that because/if they were going to drive around your beloved GAP you would not offer them travel advice. Was that humor as well? It's hard to tell where you draw the line.

No, that wasn't humor. I just cannot help folks who plan to add pollution to my area and contribute (needlessly) to the melting glaciers. I also cannot help folks who plan to drive in Switzerland. I am polite, and I think I always say that I'm sure they'll get the help they need from other helpful (not being ironic) posters.

I guess I thought using the awkward and ancient phrase "gnashing of teeth" would be sufficient clue that there was a bit of humor to my comment. I also thought that you and I had established a gentle, mutual teasing back and forth. I stand corrected.

s

"I also thought that you and I had established a gentle, mutual teasing back and forth. I stand corrected."

I thought we had reached mutual understanding, too. I guess I'm not up on my ancient phrases as humor. Truce?

Thank you, yes, truce. I will try harder to make my comments more transparent...

s

I was fortunate that I was able to take early retirement, so I could travel before I got too decrepit. I heard too many stories of people who were going to travel when they retired but left it too late. Last year, when I was grounded by ill-health, I was especially glad I had done so (in late 2000).

I have done a lot of train travel, almost all in second class, and sometimes overnight. I once traveled from Scotland to Saigon entirely by train, but although one could do that trip in a couple of weeks I took a roundabout route and spent seven months. I really would not have been happy even then with the pace of this trip, as I am more interested in the places than the spaces in between. Not that there are not some beautiful spaces in between. For that trip see: Rails Around the World 2004 -- Wilhelm's Words

Yes, not all train trips are pleasant, but not all car trips are either. And I am a solo traveler, so car travel is both stressful and expensive. I am very happy that train travel in Europe is so extensive and I don't have to drive. I don't drive in Asia either.

"Does make for great stories once its over." <<<< So true, Huggy!