The Welsh Orient Express



 Nu and I had a table to ourselves in a coach that looked as though it had been plucked directly from the set of Murder On The Orient Express
It was quite lovely


The train left Chester just after 9 am and we were tucking into a glorious brunch soon after we skirted Oswestry and followed the Welsh border south towards Cardiff. 
The staff couldn’t do enough for us.



A friendly middle aged lady sat opposite us with her elderly parents. They were from Whitstable and it was the parents anniversary . She quipped that she knew that Nu and I were not married and were friends 
“ you never stop talking to each other” she said
It was true , we have talked for twelve hours straight.
The train went through Hereford and entered Cardiff around one and we walked up to Cardiff Castle where our guide showed us through the Victorian house, through rooms King Charles held private meetings in only last week.

The quadrangle at Cardiff Castle

The beautiful roof garden on the top of the Castle’s Tower


We finished at the Castle, had a drink in the sunshine and mooched around the city centre before catching the Northern Belle home.

The five course dinner which was served in the deco dining car was truly lovely and by the time we came to a final halt back in Chester Nu was sipping the last of her port and I had just finished my coffee as the 1930s singer ( complete with spats) sang me happy birthday

I’m so lucky to have Nu
The day was perfect





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71 comments:

  1. Ruth9:50 pm

    What a treat, John, and so lovely to catch up with your dear Nu. It's definitely a day to treasure.

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  2. the veg artist9:54 pm

    What a wonderful birthday present. I love those old trains - I used to know someone who lived in a converted carriage from the Agatha Christie era. The inside of Cardiff Castle is quite something too - not what most people would expect (Victorian Gothic revival). Well done Nu.

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently6:58 am

      We had a lovely guide who made the exploration of a dozen rooms interesting

      Delete
  3. Debra She Who Seeks10:21 pm

    How elegant! I wonder if they ever stage any murder mystery trips with Hercule Poirot himself -- wouldn't that be fun too!

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently6:59 am

      Yes ……the journey was not only punctuated by food and drink, there were musicians and entertainers on the train too

      Delete
  4. flis10:24 pm

    I loved that John x 🚞

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  5. Anonymous10:40 pm

    What a treat. I had heard of the Southern Belle from Cro but not this one. True luxury.

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  6. Yorkshire Pudding11:49 pm

    What a delightful birthday experience. As you say, you are so lucky to have Nu in your life.

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:01 am

      Yes…my birthday was an anticlimax , I worked it , and didn’t celebrate it at the time

      Delete
  7. Lizzy D11:57 pm

    What an awesome birthday treat. The train, the day, the companionship--so perfect. Nu is a very special person.

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:01 am

      She is as necessary to me as breathing

      Delete
    2. happy hooker11:00 am

      What a lovely thing to say about her. I hope you've told her so. xx

      Delete
  8. Virginia12:09 am

    Oh WOW! That experience certainly lived up to expectations - and then some!! I'm so happy for you.

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  9. Travel12:21 am

    What a wonderful day out,

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:02 am

      Something you’d never really book for yourself

      Delete
  10. Marcia LaRue12:29 am

    Nu has a beautiful smile that lights up her face! What fun to go anywhere with her ... she does know what you like!
    That train is beautiful, too!

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  11. Anonymous12:38 am

    What a beautiful day!

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  12. Debby1:54 am

    What a great day! I bet you feel quite re-nu-ed

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:03 am

      Boom boom……we meet often,but it was lovely to have her for a 12 hour block

      Delete
  13. Susan Heather2:31 am

    I have not heard of this service - is it new. I have spent many a holiday in Oswestry.

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:05 am

      https://www.luxurytraintickets.com/the-northern-belle

      Delete
  14. Barbara Anne3:35 am

    What a perfectly wonderful, marvelous, and delightful day and your pictures are sharming! You and Nu also look marvelous , of course.

    Hugs!

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  15. Barbara Anne3:36 am

    Please make that "your pictures are charming" .. Ta.

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  16. Cro Magnon4:41 am

    How totally charming.

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  17. happy hooker5:15 am

    What a perfect treat, and not a murder in sight! xx

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  18. thelma5:23 am

    Bless her for giving you a perfect day.

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  19. Raybeard5:45 am

    We're totally convinced it just couldn't have been a nicer way to spend your b'day, for which please accept my belated wishes for many (more) happy ones.

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  20. MarisAna5:51 am

    My idea of a perfect day too! Would absolutely love to have a special train day out. Nu is such a dear and lovely friend.

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:46 pm

      I am lucky to have her , she is my touchstone

      Delete
  21. rallentanda6:03 am

    How lovely ! What a special beautiful friendship !

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:46 pm

      See above…she is as essential to me as breathing

      Delete
  22. Hazel6:10 am

    Looks amazing x

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  23. Caree Risover6:30 am

    Back in April 2018 I blogged about our trip on the Northern Belle (turned out to be my most popular post to date) but ours was a journey to nowhere. How wonderful to make a stop and visit such a great destination. So glad you both enjoyed the trip and talk.

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:45 pm

      I’ve left you a message
      I’d like to see your experience

      Delete
    2. Caree Risover9:22 pm

      https://aretirementblog.blogspot.com/2018/04/all-aboard-for-pampering.html

      Delete
  24. Tayz6:44 am

    How wonderful x

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  25. Frances7:38 am

    Well done Nu...what a lovely day . And you John, look smarter than I have ever seen you!

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  26. Moving with Mitchell7:44 am

    What a gift. Nu has a smile you instantly fall in love with. So much joy.

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  27. Bovey Belle7:45 am

    I could tell this didn't comedown the Heart of Wales line as you got to Cardiff and back in a day!! What a lovely experience. Cardiff Castle is just THE most amazing place to visit. A friend's son works there, lucky devil.

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  28. Yorkshire Liz7:59 am

    What a wonderful day with a wonderful friend. To remember in Technicolour. When you do it again invite hitchikers!

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:43 pm

      Nu has always been a part of some of the best memories I have from the years 1989 to 2022

      Delete
  29. Simone9:05 am

    This must be one of the best days ever! You were treated like a King! x

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:42 pm

      I had a crap birthday so this birthday treat made up for it x

      Delete
  30. Carol Caldwell9:14 am

    What a wonderful trip. I always wanted to go on the orient express but am beyond travel abroad now. Maybe this would be a possibility instead. You have made me think about a trip like this. Wonderful to have Nu for company too. Couldn't have been better.

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  31. Ms. Moon12:19 pm

    I think we are all in love with Nu.

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  32. Gemma's person2:16 pm

    Such a handsome man.

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  33. Sue 2:33 pm

    What a perfect birthday treat. It sounds like a fantastic day ... well done Nu. xx

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  34. The Weaver of Grass3:53 pm

    Lucky indeed John - sounds like a perfect day.

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  35. gz4:17 pm

    A wonderful birthday treat.
    I haven't seen William Burgess' work there, but at Castell Coch just to the north... fantastic!

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:41 pm

      Yes castle coch ( red castle) is beautiful

      Delete
  36. Shelly W6:54 pm

    That looked like a truly fabulous day xx

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  37. Tess7:04 pm

    May we know what was eaten please? Tess

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:16 pm

      Ok breakfast
      Salmon , caviar , cheese soufflé , croissants, yogurt and prunes coffee and pastries

      Dinner
      Gravalaz salad with pickle
      Roast duck with a die for gravy, veg and cream potatoes
      Cheese and port
      Chocolate and orange mousse
      Coffee

      Delete
  38. Susan12:08 am

    This was a 5-star birthday celebration! You look very handsome in your tie and dress shirt. Dining in elegance aboard the train made a beautiful celebration. Nu knows how to make a perfect day.

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  39. Steve Reed10:03 am

    What a fantastic outing! The train looks amazing -- a fancy meal on a train is something special.

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  40. A.8:49 pm

    And strangely, I see no spilled food stains on you, unless that tie began the day as plain blue...

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    Replies
    1. John Going Gently7:41 pm

      The waiters cover you with serviette

      Delete
  41. Curvywitch2:28 pm

    The train looks glorious; green with envy and I must book tickets for my 60th. Well deserved John.

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