Ladies who lunch

Just as I was about to start my diet, I received an invitation to have lunch on the Orient Express. It didn’t take much persuading (well none at all, actually!) to postpone my diet for yet another week. (Diets always have to start on a Monday!)

I arrived at Victoria’s Platform 2 to see the familiar brown and cream carriages of the British Pullman that I had often seen on the holiday programmes. Each of its carriages is decorated inside with polished wood panelling of rosewood, ash, mahogany and exquisite marquetry. Everything inside, including the carpets and upholstery are as they were back in the 1920s when it was new. They are still the most luxurious railway carriages in the world.

My boarding card directed me to ‘Phoenix’ carriage, which I later found out had been a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. It had also been used by General de Gaulle and other visiting heads of state. Stepping inside was like going back in time. I wondered how it would have felt to have been one of the gentry, lucky enough to travel in such style and luxury.

The tables were beautifully laid with crisp white linen, floral table decorations, glass and silverware. I wondered who else had sat in the sumptuous seat where I was now! The champagne poured and we slowly pulled out of the platform.

The set meal consisted of five courses and was everything I had hoped it would be. They had taken the trouble to find out if there was anything I didn’t like in advance, so I had no worries that I’d go hungry.

If you want a special treat and something a little different, this would be a perfect choice. The British Pullman operates all year to Bath, Leeds Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon. Prices start from £150. Some trains are still steam-hauled for a truly nostalgic experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day on the Orient Express, cocooned in my bubble of luxury--and the thought stayed with me in a secret smile as my South Central train jostled me back to East Grinstead. No, rail travel hasn’t lost its romance!

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Why not Wales?

Just a few hours from the hustly-bustly south of England is Wales! A perfect retreat for a weekend getaway, good food, great countryside, and a guaranteed wind-down from daily stress.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay, try Milebrook House in mid-Wales's county of Powys. Just on the border, this eighteenth century house is a haven of peace and tranquillity surrounded by delightful herbaceous gardens and lawns that gently slope to the river Thame below. Here, you can fly-fish for brown trout, pony trek or even paraglide! We just took our wellies and went for long walks, enjoying the fresh country air and working up our appetite for a scrumptious evening meal.

On Saturday, we visited nearby Knighton, steeped in history dating as far back as the stone and bronze ages. We didn't find anything quite so old, however, as we browsed the curios shops that afternoon. Powis Castle and Welshpool are not far away. Monday is market day and the sleepy town comes alive as farmers and their livestock congregate, buying and selling as they have done for generations.

But mostly we enjoyed the setting of our retreat, rolling marches landscape and the mountains and moorlands of Wales. Too soon it was time to wend our way back home, but if you feel the need to "escape"--go west to Wales, you're guaranteed a warm welcome.

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To Bath and back in a day
--the luxurious way!

At 9am I boarded my train at Victoria that was to take me to Bath and back again in a day. However, this was no ordinary train and no ordinary journey come to that, as I had boarded the luxurious ORIENT EXPRESS!

As we pulled out of Victoria, seated in huge comfortable armchairs, we were served Bucks Fizz, shortly followed by a mouth-watering breakfast. Our glasses were never allowed to be empty and just as we thought we had finished, we were tempted with a selection of pastries and offered bottomless cups of tea and coffee. We seemed to eat our way to Bath, with a service by stewards that was second to none.

The best way to work off all that sumptuous food was to take time to wander through the carriages whilst reading about each one's individual history and at the same time feeling yourself being drawn into the 'old time' ambiance that each one created.

On arrival in Bath we were taken on a city tour by coach, with an excellent guide, which included entrance to the Roman Baths and some of the wonderful museums that Bath has to offer.

On the return journey to London, we were served an excellent three-course meal, with champagne, red and white wine. I think my glass finally stood empty as we pulled into Victoria at 7pm. A truly amazing day, one that I shall never forget.

The Orient Express offer day trips from Victoria to various destinations within Great Britain. If you have a birthday or anniversary to celebrate or you simply want to be pampered and treated like royalty for a day, give us a ring and we will arrange your unforgettable experience on-board the Orient Express.

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Our weekend in Eden

Once again Hallmark lived up to their name and produced another first class outing to Cornwall and the Eden Project. We were sorry to hear that Sheila was unwell, but found that we were in the capable hands of her stand-in, Guy.

With Sheila's planning and briefing he soon proved himself, making hot drinks, passing around sweets and putting everyone's mind at rest.

Backed up by Woodcock's luxury coach and their confident and cheerful driver, Bob, we soon arrived in Newquay for the start of our long weekend. Our hotel, the Bristol, was an excellent base, with comfortable rooms and surroundings, plus a high standard of hot meals with quick service. There was even dancing in the evening. What more could one ask?

The visit to the Eden Project on Saturday would be a day to remember. The weather was kind to us and when we arrived and looked down on the biomes glittering in the sun like jewels, it was very exciting. What forethought and imagination had gone into the creating of this wonderful project out of a clay pit.

One was transported to different parts of the world to see how fruit, spices, coffee, rice, rubber and timber grew in their natural surroundings. A must to come back again in a few years time to see how the plants had matured.

On Sunday we went off to explore! We drove to Falmouth, where some of us had cream teas and listened to the band. On the way we stopped so that the wives could spend some of their husbands' money on gold, silver or ear jewellery and the husbands could taste and buy bottles of scrumpy cider.

Finally on the way home, on Monday, we stopped at the lovely town of Looe to spend an hour in its charm. Then back home with much to think and talk about after four happy days.

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• Ladies who lunch
• Why not Wales?
• To Bath and back in a day--the luxurious way!
• Our weekend in Eden

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