Our weekend started on Friday morning when we boarded a specially chartered train for the journey to north Wales. With its nine classic first class carriages, this is probably the nearest thing to the Orient Express that Saltburn and Middlesbrough (the only other pickup point) railway stations are likely to see! Once on board, we were plied with coffee and warm croissants (oh, go on then), followed a little later by a surprisingly delicious and beautifully presented two course meal. With wine. Have you tried pouring wine on a moving train, by the way?
Our base in Wales was Llandudno, a lovely seaside resort complete with Victorian pier. And jellyfish. Hundreds of little jellyfish and the odd monster sized one (like the one in the photograph below).
On Saturday there were two more train journeys, one steam powered, to reach Portmeirion, memorable as the setting for that 1960's classic TV series, The Prisoner.
Sunday and yet another train journey. Up a mountain. A very busy mountain, as it happens, with stunning views from the (overcrowded) summit.
Monday morning we boarded the train for the six and a half hour journey home. Plenty of time for reading, napping and enjoying another delicious meal (the rhubarb and apple crumble was so good) on board.
Rail travel? I love it, me.