I awoke on the Sunday morning, 5th May, 2019 with as much excited anticipation as a child on. Christmas Eve. The idea was that we would have an early breakfast followed by showers. There are no showers on the train. I was letting Susie have a bath first while I went down to platform 2 at Victoria Station from where the Belmond Pullman was departing. We were going on this as far as Folkestone for the first part of our journey. I was hoping to maybe check in then go back to the hotel to get ready. In fact I was so early that the Belmond Pullman staff were only just setting up, which was fascinating itself.
When I finally spoke to the check in desk I could not register without my bags so I went back to the hotel room only to discover that Susie was only just getting in the bath. The next minute there was a loud noise accompanied by some curses from Susie. It later transpired that she had broken her toe. She was also suffering with a sore shoulder from carrying the luggage the previous day so a porter from the hotel helped us to the Belmond checkin.
Shortly afterwards the Belmond Pullman arrived at the platform.
We had been allocated seats in Lucille.
Inside the carriages were very beautiful, each with their own individual marquetry. It was quite special to sit in such beautiful surroundings.
The journey to Folkestone was only two hours so lunch was served fairly promptly. As one would expect the food was beautifully presented and tasted absolutely delicious. It was described as “brunch with Bellini to drink.” The girl serving these was very kind and gave us a couple of extra glasses.
The Belmond Pullman meandered through the Kent countryside and all too soon we were at our station in Folkestone where we transferred to coaches for the next leg of our journey through the Channel Tunnel. A small band serenaded us as we made the transfer.
