Northern Belle

This latest trip to the UK had been planned for six months. The Lady of the Villa’s brother had bought us each, for my 60th and for her 50th, a day out on the Northern Belle up to Edinburgh and a trip around the Royal Yacht Britannia that is berthed in Leith.
So when the day came we started out at Lime Street Station in Liverpool arriving there at the unearthly hour of 07:00. We must have been dressed for the part because as we entered the concourse a liveried gentleman approached us with the question “Northern Belle?” we nodded, “Platform 8 just about to come in”. We waited in a Costa Coffee and then once the train was in approached the platform. Doors to the carriages were open and attended, a red carpet was in place and we were ushered in. This is what awaited.
   
An extremely opulent interior with the most comfy chairs I have ever seen or used on any train.











This was our table for the round trip. We we given a very nice toy bear (since passed on to one of the grandkids) and a nice bottle of Champagne (Since passed on to Mr and Mrs Fixit).









Here is her Ladyship ensconced in her preferred position of luxury on the Northern Belle.











Off we went Northwards stopping in Preston to collect some more lucky passengers. On the way we were given a Northern Belle and a Britannia tour brochure to read and keep, a run down of the days events by the Train Manager and  lots of coffee and Danish to keep the body and soul together. Breakfast was lovely, Champagne to start, then smoked salmon wrapped around freshly made scrambled eggs on a base of English crumpet. Absolutely fantastic. This was followed by more Danish and English breakfast cakes and lots of tea or coffee.

We stopped at Carlisle, mostly, I think, to let the train spotters take pictures and videos and then we were off to Edinburgh through some lovely countryside with the sun shining all day.
At 12:30 we arrived in Edinburgh and were taken to Britannia by coach. More of the RYB trip in another post. Arriving back at the station in Edinburgh at 16:00 we embarked (nice nautical term there!) for our journey home.

The five course meal was superb with the only extra we paid for was the wines, which were excellent and from a large choice. The liveried staff provided one of the best food and wine service I have ever encountered and we were on a train!. That and some brandies with some nice conversation crowned a brilliant day out.

Thanks Mr and Mrs L for a great present.