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| My dream come true |
It's been quiet on this blog because I've been away on holiday. Returned yesterday and am still in holiday mode, though now knee deep in ironing!
We (hubby and I) have been up north, first to Dundee and then Durham. We left for Scotland on the Caledonian overnight sleeper from Euston in London at 9.15pm and arrived in Dundee at 6am. I've wanted to travel on an overnight sleeper train for years and years so this was one tick on the old bucket list. We booked a cabin and were almost first on board. The narrow corridor was a struggle with the cases and the cabin was small but functional (it looked bigger online!). I loved it. I took the bottom bunk (well it's always me who has to go to the loo). We had a lift up lid under which was our sink and taps. There was space to hang about four items (hangers fixed to the wall) but the cases had to go under my bunk because when you stand up there is no room to pass another person. Yet in a small space we had everything we needed - towels, soap (in a pack which also contained eye mask and ear plugs which we didn't use), two small bottles of water, a full length mirror, heating control, individual reading lights and drop down tray. At the end of the carriage were the toilets, one for men and one for women.
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| To narrow to swing a case in! |
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| One happy bunny |
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| Our on board pack. |
Our attendant told us he would wake us at 5.30am and we were given a choice of hot drink or juice (which came with a packet of biscuits). We began to settle down for the night around 10pm. The beds were narrow but comfy. Funny how all the squeaks and jolts are more pronounced at night when you are sleeping. I never expected to sleep and I didn't! The train rolled and leaned through the night. Sometimes there were stops, the engine still ticking over, then there were the real corners. Oh fun as I felt my body sliding feet first to the end of the bed and then back the other way. At Edinburgh the train split into three. There was a long stop there. I know. I was still awake! I was just finally drifting into oblivion when there was a knock on the door. Our early morning drinks had arrived!
I nipped to the loo. It was light and as I looked down the corridor I realised there were no more carriages on the end. We were the last one. It did look funny and reminded me of those westerns where someone unhooks the carriages and only the engine is left (yeah, well I was suffering from a distinct lack of sleep). Anyway, after using the loo I rushed back for my camera and took some photos (at one point I was hanging out of the window to get shots as we crossed the Tay Bridge and looked across to the Dundee). Then we were dragging our cases off the train to an almost empty Dundee station.
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| Where did the carriages go? |
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| Dundee from the Tap Bridge |
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| Crossing the Tay Bridge |
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| 6am at Dundee station. Our attendant prepares to board. |
We checked into the Holiday Inn Express around 6.30am, unpacked and went down for breakfast - I love their breakfasts. However, due to lack of sleep (but still with a smile on my face) I was swaying while I was piling up my tray. Once we'd eaten we stuck the Do Not Disturb notice on the door and went to bed for two hours. I forced myself up at 10am. I did not want to waste a day. We headed off into the city to get our bearings and visit the Tourist Information Office where the lady gave us various leaflets but had run out of an area map. She suggested Waterstones. That was fatal because I saw they had
Girl On A Train on half price that week. I resisted at the time but I did get my copy before we left to move on to Durham. We did get our map and the wonderful man there gave me two stamps for my Waterstones card even though I didn't spend enough. My card is now full!
I tried to stay awake to watch the Mary Beard TV programme about the Romans and I almost made it. Kept nodding off. Suffice it to say that I had no trouble sleeping that night. It had been an overcast day and rather cool but we had arrived and we had plans! Must say the Scottish people are lovely and friendly. Go out of their way for you. Oh and I loved handling the Scottish money. Felt I was abroad!
Further installments coming.
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| The Square, Dundee |
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| Overgate Shopping Centre, Dundee |
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| Outside Steeple Church |
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