I crossed 3 countries in 14 hours on 4 trains and a bus. And I'm not dead.
https://www.cnet.com/news/i-crossed-3-countries-in-14-hours-on-4-trains-and-a-bus-and-im-not-dead/
With that thought pulsing through my addled brain, I stand staring at the wrought-iron structure of the Victorian-era Newcastle station at 6:30 in the morning. I've been awake for an hour or so. Sometime tonight, barring any surprises, I'll be in Spain. Between here and there, over 1,000 miles, three high-speed trains, a subway, and a bus. Adding in time waiting or transferring between stations, and the next 14 hours are spoken for.
Why do I keep doing this to myself? The simple answer is that I'd spent the weekend with a friend in Newcastle, in northeast England (really, to eat at the incredible Allard's, but let's say it was to see my friend). I'd planned on heading to northern Spain afterward, but it turned out to be more difficult than I expected. The flight options were either expensive, terrible or a perfect blend of expensive and terrible.