Part 1
After sitting on a coach on a train going through the Channel Tunnel a short drive took us to the station where the Orient Express was waiting. The first impression was of a train with a long series of blue carriages with shining white roofs. It is quite something to behold and I was filled with excitement at the prospect of boarding such a beautiful train. The stewards were lined up outside in their beautiful blue uniforms and the Restaurant and bar staff in their white jackets
Our steward showed us to our cabin and I sank into the couch, admiring the luxury of the furnishings and the beautiful wood and marquetry.
Our cabin luggage had already been placed in the room so once we were settled our steward came and poured us a glass of champagne in the beautiful Venice Simplon glasses.
Shortly after the Maitre’d arrived to discuss table arrangements for dinner. We were to dine in the restaurant car “Etoile du Nord”. In the meantime we sat and watched the passing countryside as the train raced through Pas de Calais, sipping our champagne.
Having negotiated our way around each other Susie and I were finally ready for dinner. The attire for the evening dinner was formal, so we had both brought lovely cocktail dresses. Walking along the carriages to the dining car required a lot of care. While the carriages themselves are old they are drawn by different trains in each of the different countries that we pass through. The trains mostly travel at 120mph, but the carriages are approved to travel at 160mph. This causes quite a degree of rocking and you need to take great care when you are walking, especially in high heels.
We arrived at Restaurant Car “Oriental” and were shown to our seats. The tables were set in Silver with beautiful ly engraved crystal glasses and engraved dinner service.
I had decided that a bottle of champagne was definitely required for our first meal on board.. The Maitre’d suggested an Italian one so we decided to accept his suggestion.
There were four courses and the beef for main course was exquisitely cooked so that it just melted in your mouth and dessert was beautifully presented.
After dinner I decided to use the nearest facilities before heading to the bar with Susie. I was just passing through the service car when the train gave a giant lurch and threw me into a sharp edge, which sliced my arm. I was attended to very quickly by a lovely waiter called Giussepe who bandaged me up very nicely. Susie and I decided after this that ‘all the jerks were in France” We proceeded to the bar where a couple of Amaretto Sours definitely helped with the pain. The pianist was playing and it was all very redolent of the bygone age of luxury travel.
When we returned to our cabin it was transformed into two beds one above the other, of which the upper I was happy to use. There was a ladder to assist in the ascent. I love the sound of the the wheels of the carriages on the line and the bed was very comfortable. In previous years my husband Brian and I had travelled on the motorail and slept in a similar fashion. This was just rather more luxurious.
