Jottings From The Trans-Siberian Railway By Martin Kyrle Shares Adventures On The World’s Legendary Route

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, seasoned adventurer and humorist Martin Kyrle dispels Siberia’s icy myths and shares witty, self-deprecating tales of friendship, mishaps, and vivid discoveries in his delightfully engaging book, Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Jottings From The Trans-Siberian Railway

Martin Kyrle, a seasoned travel writer, adventurer, and humourist with over seven decades of global explorations, offers a refreshingly personal perspective on one of the planet’s most iconic rail journeys in his book Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway. Through his vivid accounts, what often remains a distant legend or romantic fantasy for many readers transforms into a lively, immediate experience filled with discovery and human connection.

A Lifetime of Wanderlust

With more than 70 years of travel behind him, Martin Kyrle has built a reputation as an expert in seeking out the unconventional. He has ventured to remote corners of the world, encountering sights and situations that most people only imagine. His journeys have taken him to islands off the coasts of France and Holland, the depths of Lake Baikal—the world’s deepest lake—in Siberia, castles in Estonia and Latvia, remote lakes in Lapland, Lithuania, and Siberia, Roman amphitheatres in Libya, neolithic dolmens in Brittany, and monastic ruins miles out in the Atlantic off southwest Ireland. Even hitchhiking around North Cape at the northern tip of Norway presented its challenges, undertaken for the simple reason that it marks the edge of Europe—beyond which, as he wryly notes, one might just fall off.

These escapades, all drawn from real-life experiences, frequently lead him off the well-trodden paths, even in familiar countries. Minor mishaps, such as getting lost on a train in western Bosnia, being locked in a church in rural Devon, or watching a train depart without him while on a school trip from Germany to Denmark, were simply part of the adventure, handled with the resilience that comes from a lifetime on the move.

Dispelling Myths About Siberia

One of the book’s key contributions is its challenge to common misconceptions about Siberia. Many people associate the region solely with extreme cold, endless tundra, and primitive living conditions. Martin counters this view by highlighting that he travelled in September, when temperatures reached the mid-20s Celsius. While winter brings low temperatures, the southern areas crossed by the railway—home to most of the population—are far more hospitable. Towns and cities thrive there, supporting agriculture and cultural institutions. Cities like Novosibirsk and Ulan-Ude boast opera houses, demonstrating a level of sophistication that surprises those who picture only frozen wastelands and isolated huts.

The Journey with a Friend and a Unique Voice

Martin undertook this epic rail voyage accompanied by his friend and colleague Michael Roberts, whose striking photography complements the narrative and brings the landscapes, people, and moments to life. Together, they produced a record that is as much about their shared friendship as it is about the route itself.

What sets Martin’s writing apart is his distinctive blend of humour, self-deprecation, and keen observation. He wears his considerable knowledge lightly, including insights gained from a Master’s degree in Russian Studies, which equips him to appreciate the cultures, histories, and nuances of the regions he traverses. His accounts turn everyday observations and unexpected events into engaging, memorable stories.

In 2012 my friend and I spent a month on the Trans-Siberian Railway, spending a few days at various places en route …Tobolsk, (with the only stone kremlin in Siberia, dating from 1680 and in the process of being restored), Novosibirsk and Irkutsk… and having a guide for the first day to show us round and then exploring on our own. My colleague, Mike, took photos, using a camera worth about £1500, so not your average mobile phone shots.  I have an MA in Russian Studies, so my description of what we saw is written from the point of view of a specialist, not your average tourist. 

We spent a few days on an island in Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, and then at Ulan Ude took the trans-Mongolian railway to Ulan Bator for a week’s stay up-country in Mongolia, and then to Beijing for the flight home.

The first draft was seen by a friend of my late wife’s – Barbara Large MBE, who was a lecturer in Creative Writing at Winchester University – and she offered to edit it for me.

It was at Barbara’s suggestion that I entered an extract in a competition.  It was “What was hot shak (sic) with bird”… on the menu when it turned up on a plate? I think the judges laughed so much they gave me third prize – and this was before the first draft was edited, let alone the book published.

Now “Jottings” is out in the world, to be enjoyed by anyone who loves a gripping yarn, a dash of humour and a narrator who – while brim-full of knowledge he generously wants to share – never takes himself too seriously!

–Martin Kyrle

Blessings, Close Calls, and a Touch of Luck

Throughout his travels, Martin has accumulated a remarkable collection of experiences, including service as a Sub-Lieutenant in the Special Branch in Malta, where he decoded top-secret communications and once dined with Admiral Lord Mountbatten, the Commander-in-Chief. He attributes much of his good fortune—perhaps even his survival—to an eclectic set of blessings: from the Pope in St. Peter’s Square, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Kremlin, and a Buryat shaman in Siberia who presented him with a lucky charm. As a lifelong atheist, he jokes about hedging his bets.

These protective influences may have come in handy during tense moments, such as overcoming vertigo atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa or enduring a flight to Beijing with his late wife, when the pilot announced engine trouble at 10,000 feet over the South China Sea.

Why This Book Captivates

Martin’s talent lies in transforming potential setbacks into humorous, unforgettable anecdotes. No matter how far-flung the destination or how tricky the situation, he approaches it with wit and insight, inviting readers to share in the joy and inspiration of discovery. Even armchair travellers will find themselves transported to places beyond imagination, laughing along the way and gaining a deeper appreciation for the world’s diversity.

Jottings from the Trans-Siberian Railway stands out not just for its subject matter but for the warm, individual voice that guides readers through it. It is a highly enjoyable invitation to embark on an extraordinary journey, guided by a true master of adventure.

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