Would not do if all was straightforward

Heading home now, however, bit of a panic at London Kings Cross - having arrived early for the 11 am train and watched the 10.30 a.m. leave on time,  a bit of a shock to be told that our train was being cancelled due to overhead cable problems at Newark.  Big crowds waiting and all envisaging being crammed into the one train-  lots made their way onto another couple of trains heading north.     Anyway we were able to get on the 11am ahead of the rush and managed to get seats all the way home - . 

Last night we headed back out and went back to the Renaissance Hotel at St Pancreas,  still unable to make it to see the famous staircase,  but we did get a photo at the bottom.      In the bar, the bar staff were kept busy,  I even managed a couple of pints of Bitter and Twisted,  but had to pay twice as much as we charge for it at the Mercat Grill,  The bar staff were very well trained and versed in their products -  found it a bit strange to see them free pouring, which is illegal in Scotland, even although they did have dummy measures as guides.

Orient Express British Pullman, Good Friday 2013

Bit of an adventure today for us,  for years we have dreamt of going on the fabulous Orient Express, from London to Venice,  however, it was never to be.  BUT, at x-mas our beloved son and his beloved Go Jo bought us a trip on the British Pullman which is part of the Orient Express, with the same carriages, lovingly restored, and sent out and about in GB.  So today we arrived at London Victoria Station to join about one hundred others all booked in for which may well have been the journey of a lifetime.

All checked in, and then the train arrived with several carriages, all beautifully restored, and we boarded to receive a glass of bubbly as we settled in at our respective tables - then off we set, heading off for a five hour trip out round Kent, down to the coast and back to London.

This was to be a memorable day, a beautiful five course meal, served in silver service by extremely caring and competent members of staff, all who have been with the Company for several if not many years.  Beautiful food, excellent wines, Port, and sufficient bubbly - an excellent wine cellar for extra dinkies, etc.

For the smokers on board the train stopped at the coast and we were able to get off and stretch our legs, glass of bubbly presented along with fresh oysters, and a jazz band playing on the platform,  just a real treat for one and all.

Not quite sure how the Mercat Bar pen managed to sneak into the photos  !!   But we have to thank the staff, and the chefs (who were out of sight) for a totally marvellous experience.   I will not say that it was 100%, because nothing ever is, but at 99%  we will not complain.  

Had this trip been through the Scottish Highlands with the associated scenery it really would have been a dream come true.

Thanks to everyone, staff, fellow travellers, and of course RGB and Go Jo who gave us the gift. 

Just as cold here - in the big smoke.

Made it to the big City, and it is colder here than in Penicuik.   Our Steward on the train eventually remembered to come back with my top up.
Went to the Renaissance Hotel for tea and scones,  pity they were not quite as good as Mrs. B. makes.  Bit of a wander around the streets, but again, cold beat us so it was back to the hotel for dinner, and now, feet up - chilling out - to use a common phrase, and set for an early night, tomorrow being another day.
Just cannot get used to the traffic and general hurly burly  -  must be getting old.

East Coast Rail, 1st Class travel - maybe

Heading southwards on the East Coast train, and if I was driving at this speed I would have clocked several speed cameras so far.   However, what a change to be sitting comfortable, glass of the vino tinto to hand, although not quite so impressed with the food arrangements.  Found it a bit strange to be offered a sandwich at 10.15 as we left Edinburgh,  which, if accepted was our  only sustenance on the trip - so we held off -  a bit different from the West Coast line where I had umpteen sandwiches on my trips to Manchester.  Staff come up and down with the trolly, but only to see to those who have just boarded. Crisps were nice though !!.
The
Thought we were heading to Euston Station when I was looking for a hotel,  but it is Kings Cross we go into,  good job that the hotel I booked is mid way between the two, or I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN REAL TROUBLE.
Staff quite nice on the train, although our drinks steward got a row for being too chatty by his colleagues. Nice to be nice as they say.
Looking forward to checking out the streets paved with gold, seeing Dick Whittington, and maybe even the Queen if she is at home, and whatever -   got a nice elderly lady in the carriage, complete with mobile phone - and everyone knows where she is going and who she is meeting !!

Steward just lost his Gold Star, said he was going to give me a top up on his way back and forgot.

Looking out at the fields here as we pass,  what a difference a few hundred miles makes with regards to the growth of crops, etc,  but still a fair bit of snow around.   From what I can see, looks like Penicuik was a lot better off than here.
Now looking forward to the next two days.

Free Tram rides in Edinburgh

Looks like we have hit the jackpot -  a free trip on the Edinburgh Trams and a tour of the Gogar Depot, before the track is open top the public -  bloody marvellous, from the amount of money the business has lost it should be free travel for family and friends for life!!!  Even a chance to drive the thing.

Heard an advert for F1 motor racing, extolling the differences a 100th of a second can make between winning and losing -  which does not quite make sense having heard that last weekend's Grand prix turned out to be a bit of a farce as drivers were being told to nurse cars to save the engines, and then the other driver scoots past - does not sound like a race to the line to me - so it makes a mockery of the sport, what happened to trying their best.  Perhaps teams should only be allowed one car in each race.

Thought that the Government were trying their best when they announced that immigrants would have to wait five years before qualifing ofr social housing -  too good to be true,  our puppeteers at the EU have already put paid to that .  

Have a wee trip organised, off to London in the morning on the train -  more news to follow.

Mercat Bar and Grill fundraiser for CLIC

Busy night at the Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig,  last night as friends and customers had fun at a race night organised as a fund raiser for the CLIC  fund.  Good crowd had fun between the races, a super raffle and an auction - with the proceeds expected to be in excess of £2500.  Top prize in the auction was a weekend for two at Gleneagles Hotel,  however, many, many thanks to the local and other businesses who donated prizes as gifts

Whisky - 49 Club luncheon

  Luncheon at the Whisky Heritage Centre yesterday with the 49 Club was 1st class,  presentation was by Rachael Barrie, Master Blender of Morrison Bowmore Distillers, who now has the members either drinking whisky naked or drinking naked whisky !! What an excellent speaker and fascinating subject. 

looks good to me

Smells good

In unison - off we go

Not much left, head back

All gone - happy days.