And so it is that I find myself sitting with my partner in the sumptuous surroundings of a 1920's restored British Pullman carriage on the Orient Express. What has lead to the almost impossible being possible, that I am here and about to enjoy a five course luncheon?
I randomly entered a competition on the Facebook page of Red Letter Days and happened to win! Red Letter Days offer a range of wonderful and exciting experiences in all price ranges to suit many different occassions. I remember buying a Ferrari experience for my sons 21st birthday and he still talks about it with great enthusiasm 6 years later.
Well I entered the competition in celebration of Red Letter Days 22nd birthday and then forgot all about it. Several weeks later I had a random tweet from somone telling me I'd won and that the people at Red Letter Days had been trying to get hold of me. I whizzed over to their Facebook page as quick as my web browser would allow and true enough I had won the prize! I could hardly contain my excitement as a trip on the Orient Express was one of those things I had dreamed of ever since I saw Judith Chalmers take a trip on 'Wish You Were Here".
The tickets arrived about a week before departure in a very lovely leather document wallet and for the next few days I kept visiting the British Pullman website to whet my appetite. This was rather like when a child tries to peek at their birthday presents before the day, I could feel the excitement rising daily!
Finally the day is here! I woke at 5am and just couldn't get back to sleep so I dozed and imagined what it might be like on board, who else might be there and whether I would be suitably dressed for the occassion.
My partner Jay and I arrived at Bournemouth station and joined the throng of other people waiting expectantly clutching their leather ticket holders and chattering excitedly. I looked around and felt satisfied that we were both adequately attired and waited for the train to arrive.
Bang on time, the iconic Art Deco British Pullman carriages rolled alongside us on the platform as nearly everyone on the platform leans forward to get the all important first picture.
We checked our tickets for the name of the carriage and seat numbers and make our way along the platform. There is a real wow factor as you catch a glimpse through the window of the carriages and for me a quiet snort to myself as I think of all the times I have been sandwiched on a South West train service.
Following a quick photo we then board the train for our trip.
From the moment we speak to the first steward we feel special. Not in an 'aren't we special' snotty way but in a 'how wonderful we feel kind of way. Taking our seats in Lucille (the name of our carriage) we take a moment to absorb the style and quality of our surrounds.
The carriage is wonderful, with just 24 beautifully upholstered seats. But these are no ordinary seats, these are British Pullman seats (said in a Marks and Spencers ad style). When I say seats, don't picture usual train seats no, these are gloriously comfortable armchairs and perfect to settle into as our steward offered us a welcome glass of perfectly chilled champagne.
Our carriage Lucille was built in 1928 for the Queen of Scots Pullman and ran the Bournemouth Belle in the 60's. So for us to be taking a lunch trip from Bournemouth this was the perfect carriage for us.
The design was Grecia Urn with splendid marquetry on the dyed Holly wood panels.
As we prepared to depart on our journey I spent some time just looking around at the beautiful and detailed surroundings. Exquisitely set table with crystal glass ware and crisp table cloth and napkins. Highly polished brass lamps and equally polished brass luggage racks overhead. It was like stepping back into the 1920's and 30's and I imagined I was a lady of substance sipping my champagne whilst watching the world wizz by the window.
After choosing the wine, a rather nice White Burgandy, we were served with our appetiser.
Mine was a mushroom stroganoff and Jay had a wild river trout and green peppercorn terrine. We were served perfectly warm rolls to accompany the food and so started our first of five courses!
It can be no mean feat preparing beautiful high quality food for over 200 people whilst on board a train and yet it arrived cooked to perfection and was served with elegance and class.
There was just the right amount of time in between courses so that we did not feel hurried or ignored. Our stewards were attentive and charming.
The train Manaager Mr Jeff Monk, passed through the train and stopped by us to chat. He used to be on the London to Venice route for many years and we marvelled at the wonderful time he must have had the people he had met.
We passed through the New Forest and Southampton and on toward Basingstoke, however it didn't really feel like a train journey at all, in fact I almost forgot I was on a train at all. It is difficult to adequately articulate just how wonderful it felt to be having lunch here, but it had been an ambition of mine for many years after seeing travel programmes that heralded the wonder of a trip on the Orient Express.
Our next course followed which was a delicious red pepper soup with creamy chive creme fraiche swirled through it. More warm bread rolls were served and our glasses magically filled by the steward.
The main course for me was a delicious vegetable stack on polenta served with celeriac and chive mash and roasted baby root vegetables. Jay had rack of herb encrusted organic lamb.
As we slowed to a stop at Basingstoke station, a South West train pulled alongside us. It was a rather comedy moment as people peered in at us and we peered out at them. Jay raised his glass to a women on the other train who laughed and raised her crisp packet and an imaginary glass acknowledging the dichotomy of the moment.
As we passed though stations people took photos as we passed and there were those who knew the route we would take and what time we'd be there as they were waiting ready with video cameras and excited smiles.
Once our main course had gone done we were offered a selection of British cheeses with homemade green tomato chutney and crackers. This was perfect to accompany the last of our wine and by now I was starting to feel that I shouldn't eat another thing.
Never one to listen to myself very often I did actually manage to scoff half a glass of apple banoffee cheesecake before the lunch was rounded off with coffee.
Over coffee (and probably enhanced by a little alcohol) Jay and I start to discuss what defines character. Well some would say that the Orient Express is full of character, with its art deco interiors, glamour and opulance taking one back in time to a different era. But what exactly is character we wondered. What is its essence? I don't think we came to any mind startling conclusions but it seemed that deep discussion felt perfectly appropriate in such surroundings.
Our Train Manager suggested it was worth taking a walk into the other carriages as each was different. It was marvellous walking the length of the train and I half expected to see David Suchet come past with his neat upward curled moustache. He did not appear and I guess that thankfully this was an indication that there would be no murder on this Orient Express.
As we drew nearer to the end of our trip we both felt like we had been thoroughly spoilt, treated like royalty and had experienced something truely memorable.
I should like to thank the marvellous people at Red Letter Days who made this all possible for us and the stewards in our carriage who added value to the whole experience.
To find out more about the Orient Express journeys through England click here
All that's left for me to say now is Cheers!!!!
The design was Grecia Urn with splendid marquetry on the dyed Holly wood panels.
As we prepared to depart on our journey I spent some time just looking around at the beautiful and detailed surroundings. Exquisitely set table with crystal glass ware and crisp table cloth and napkins. Highly polished brass lamps and equally polished brass luggage racks overhead. It was like stepping back into the 1920's and 30's and I imagined I was a lady of substance sipping my champagne whilst watching the world wizz by the window.
After choosing the wine, a rather nice White Burgandy, we were served with our appetiser.
Mine was a mushroom stroganoff and Jay had a wild river trout and green peppercorn terrine. We were served perfectly warm rolls to accompany the food and so started our first of five courses!
It can be no mean feat preparing beautiful high quality food for over 200 people whilst on board a train and yet it arrived cooked to perfection and was served with elegance and class.
There was just the right amount of time in between courses so that we did not feel hurried or ignored. Our stewards were attentive and charming.
The train Manaager Mr Jeff Monk, passed through the train and stopped by us to chat. He used to be on the London to Venice route for many years and we marvelled at the wonderful time he must have had the people he had met.
We passed through the New Forest and Southampton and on toward Basingstoke, however it didn't really feel like a train journey at all, in fact I almost forgot I was on a train at all. It is difficult to adequately articulate just how wonderful it felt to be having lunch here, but it had been an ambition of mine for many years after seeing travel programmes that heralded the wonder of a trip on the Orient Express.
Our next course followed which was a delicious red pepper soup with creamy chive creme fraiche swirled through it. More warm bread rolls were served and our glasses magically filled by the steward.
The main course for me was a delicious vegetable stack on polenta served with celeriac and chive mash and roasted baby root vegetables. Jay had rack of herb encrusted organic lamb.
As we slowed to a stop at Basingstoke station, a South West train pulled alongside us. It was a rather comedy moment as people peered in at us and we peered out at them. Jay raised his glass to a women on the other train who laughed and raised her crisp packet and an imaginary glass acknowledging the dichotomy of the moment.
As we passed though stations people took photos as we passed and there were those who knew the route we would take and what time we'd be there as they were waiting ready with video cameras and excited smiles.
Once our main course had gone done we were offered a selection of British cheeses with homemade green tomato chutney and crackers. This was perfect to accompany the last of our wine and by now I was starting to feel that I shouldn't eat another thing.
Never one to listen to myself very often I did actually manage to scoff half a glass of apple banoffee cheesecake before the lunch was rounded off with coffee.
Over coffee (and probably enhanced by a little alcohol) Jay and I start to discuss what defines character. Well some would say that the Orient Express is full of character, with its art deco interiors, glamour and opulance taking one back in time to a different era. But what exactly is character we wondered. What is its essence? I don't think we came to any mind startling conclusions but it seemed that deep discussion felt perfectly appropriate in such surroundings. Our Train Manager suggested it was worth taking a walk into the other carriages as each was different. It was marvellous walking the length of the train and I half expected to see David Suchet come past with his neat upward curled moustache. He did not appear and I guess that thankfully this was an indication that there would be no murder on this Orient Express.
As we drew nearer to the end of our trip we both felt like we had been thoroughly spoilt, treated like royalty and had experienced something truely memorable.
I should like to thank the marvellous people at Red Letter Days who made this all possible for us and the stewards in our carriage who added value to the whole experience.
To find out more about the Orient Express journeys through England click here
All that's left for me to say now is Cheers!!!!
