Next stop Bucharest
It is 15:45 as I arrive at Ruse Railway Station. It wouldn't do to miss the first train of this epic journey across Europe. I said a long time ago that I would try to spend a year in every country in Europe but fate decrees otherwise so here we go, a one month "Interail Global" ticket in my hand and a reservation on the first train out of town. It's the daily train to Bucharest actually. The temperature is 42 degrees C (locally reported at 44), Plamen helps me with my case to platform 3 where the train awaits. We work out where my seat is and load the cases. "It's cooler outside" recommends the guard as he informs us that there will be an hour delay. You see, at the end of my train there isn't an engine. Nothing to do but wait as I say goodbye to Plamen and, ultimately, Bulgaria. A Romanian engine arrives, couples up, and we are on our way.