Train-travelling Malcolm Metcalf has posed proudly with a copy of the Great Yarmouth Mercury on the first leg of his travels.

The 88-year-old, from Gorleston, has made it to Rambouillet, in time to enjoy 40th anniversary twinning celebrations with civic dignitaries from his home-town.

However, he has already proven that things don't always go to plan and that travel is the best way to connect with people you would never otherwise have met.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Malcolm Metcalf on the steps of the town hall in Rambouillet with Great Yarmouth Mayor Graham Plant and leader of the council Carl Smith.Malcolm Metcalf on the steps of the town hall in Rambouillet with Great Yarmouth Mayor Graham Plant and leader of the council Carl Smith. (Image: Guillaume Fonteneau)

His final "epic tour" taking 17 trains across eight countries in 22 days was spectacularly scuppered when the train from St Pancras was full.

Instead, he travelled to Dover, took a ferry to Calais but arrived after the last train to Paris had left. Having struck up conversation with a stranger she invited him to stay the night at hers taking him to the train station the next day.

He was met in the capital by his friend Guillaume Fonteneau who took him to Rambouillet.

"It has been really, really hectic," he said. "But while it has been tiring, it has also been great."

Mr Metcalf is raising money for the Priscilla Bacon Hospice.

To donate search Malcolm Metcalf's train tour of Europe on the JustGiving website.