Train journeys take much longer than you and I think

 

Fact: German trains systems are also affected by delays.

Delayed on the way out: My supposed to be nearly six hours journey involving 3 seamless changes to Ingolstadt took an additional hour. The train which was to take me from Stuttgart to Nurnberg arrived c.25 minutes later than expected and caused me to miss my subsequent train from Nurnberg to Ingolstadt. 

The wait on the platform was p.a.i.n.f.u.l. It was bitterly cold with a temperature of -17c. My body was protected by my many layers of thermal but my poor booted feet froze. Yeyse, I am a wimp when it comes to the cold but there, on the platform at Stuttgart, I saw grown men in business suits and thick coats shivering.   

Epic journey back:  More than 8 hours, due to another delay. Like previously this caused me to miss my connecting train and I found myself having to travel up to Frankfurt from Nurnberg just to get the connecting train down to Basel (it reminded me somewhat of my zig-zagging backpacking days). 

This time I was more prepared having worn thicker woolen socks and inserted heating pads into my boots (given to me by the thoughtful HM; they are apparently indispensable in Canada). The delay also happened in Ingolstadt and came with a warning before hand. This meant I could spend some waiting time skulking around in the sheltered station and was only exposed to the harsh conditions that was the windy train platform for a further 10 minutes (when it was announced the train was again delayed). I used this time to take the pictures you see below. 

 

{my feet warmer, I could appreciate my surroundings better}

{late again}

{the wheels of my new carry-on probably in tears}

{what the city is good at producing}