Orient Express no less

We are off! We didn’t sleep well in our Premier Inn but got out in the rain walking to Victoria Station for our 9am departure on the British Pullman.

It was a very luxurious train. We were in the coach named Audrey. The train was art deco with lots of marquetry and gleaming surfaces. After a couple of Bellinis brunch was served. A deliciously sticky banana and sesame pastry was followed by a creamy yogurt, granola and berries. We had coffee and another Bellini while we waited for the huge thick slice of smoked salmon, topped with caviar and a toasted muffin with poached egg and hollandaise. It was such a treat especially after me having to cook every day on the van trip!

The less pleasant part of the day was the bus on the Shuttle as it got very hot. However we were plied with champagne to keep us cheerful.

Once in France we were dropped at a little restaurant where we had lovely snacks both savoury and sweet, with more champagne to wash it down. It turned out we were lucky as the other 2 coaches didn’t make it on the same shuttle so they had to go straight to Lens to the train. We had a quick detour to see the beautiful town hall and Rodin statue before taking the motorway for the 2 hour drive to the next train - the Orient Express no less.

Here we are at dinner in the Lalique restaurant. It’s all amazing. We are so lucky. The trip of a lifetime.