PART ONE
A spring trip to visit the family quickly became something bigger and better, thanks to the perfect alignment of flights, ferries, trains and a [sssssh!] Flyer Talk meet.
A time when ten days off felt like a month. Where I travelled on three flights, two trains, two ferries and sampled a new airline into the bargain.
Strap in – I will try and make this as informative and readable as I can!
I go up to Scotland every year and have done for the last decade. It’s a bit of a tradition now.
This time, after having such a fun time on the Caledonian Sleeper before You can read it here! I really wanted to try it again.
The entrance to the Virgin First Class lounge was still a mess: they are building a mezzanine floor at the station; which is almost complete.
From my experience last time knew it was a waste of time to try and be there anything more than an hour before the train departed – it’s just too busy.
Still, Euston Station is busy too.
The lounge has a … distinctive… style, as you can see.
But as regards refreshments – thin pickings.
Some teas and coffees, mini cans of Pepsi and Lemonade and some nuts, and that was about it. But I didn’t care! I was going on the Sleeper!
Before heading down to the platform (1); I paused to look at the best departure screen ever: one train going to Fort William, Aberdeen AND Inverness. And intermediate stations.
I headed down to Platform 1, and snapped a few other trains in the station at the time.
I have to say, Platforms 1 and 2 do look a tad bleak…
The trains are still old – new ones are coming in 2018
On the platform, you find your assigned carriage (on the ticket) and there, a steward checks you in. There were a few people in front of me but it didn’t take too long.
As I had added an evening meal to my booking (+£10) the very friendly steward mentioned that my table had been reserved and I could go to the lounge whenever I was ready. Because this train was busier, you share a table with another traveller, which works really well. Because on the sleeper train, everyone is ready to talk!
The cabin was prepared.
You can opt for standard class, which means the possibility of sharing with someone of the same sex. That’s not for me, so paid a little extra for First Class, which gives you single occupancy and yay! Free breakfast! And access to the lounge car.
The cain was prepared:
The amenity kit includes a face cloth, eye mask, socks, ear plugs, soap, body lotion, sleep spray and guide to a better sleep.
Lots of hanging space
It has to be said that the carriages are showing their age.
It was off to the restaurant car.
Wine Time!
With haggis, neeps and tatties and red onion marmalade.
Then the cheese board
Then a G&T or three.
Oops!
The person I shared my table with was really very interesting and the conversation flowed freely.
However I suddenly found that I was the last person standing. Time for a pic of the lounge car.
I went back to the cabin, and surprisingly, feel asleep quite quickly.
The carriage change at Edinburgh wasn’t as jarring as I found previously and I woke to this view:
Breakfast time.
This also comes with fresh* orange juice. * from concentrate
The further north we travelled the snowier it looked.
And now a dilemma.
I was booked on the 1710hrs flight from Inverness to Kirkwall. But here I was in Inverness, at 8.38hrs, with a 1010hrs flight to Kirkwall – with seats available...
BOOKING INFO
I paid £155 for exclusive use of a cabin - "First Class" and £10 for dinner in the dining car, where a space is reserved for you.
I booked the sleeper directly at www.sleeper.scot - anecdotal evidence is that this is the best place to book - while you can book at UK railway stations, the trainline etc. - you may not be contacted if there is any known disruption, such as the closure of the West Coast line in February... only www.sleeper.scot retains your contact details.
A spring trip to visit the family quickly became something bigger and better, thanks to the perfect alignment of flights, ferries, trains and a [sssssh!] Flyer Talk meet.
A time when ten days off felt like a month. Where I travelled on three flights, two trains, two ferries and sampled a new airline into the bargain.
Strap in – I will try and make this as informative and readable as I can!
I go up to Scotland every year and have done for the last decade. It’s a bit of a tradition now.
This time, after having such a fun time on the Caledonian Sleeper before You can read it here! I really wanted to try it again.
The entrance to the Virgin First Class lounge was still a mess: they are building a mezzanine floor at the station; which is almost complete.
From my experience last time knew it was a waste of time to try and be there anything more than an hour before the train departed – it’s just too busy.
Still, Euston Station is busy too.
The lounge has a … distinctive… style, as you can see.
But as regards refreshments – thin pickings.
Some teas and coffees, mini cans of Pepsi and Lemonade and some nuts, and that was about it. But I didn’t care! I was going on the Sleeper!
Before heading down to the platform (1); I paused to look at the best departure screen ever: one train going to Fort William, Aberdeen AND Inverness. And intermediate stations.
I headed down to Platform 1, and snapped a few other trains in the station at the time.
I have to say, Platforms 1 and 2 do look a tad bleak…
The trains are still old – new ones are coming in 2018
On the platform, you find your assigned carriage (on the ticket) and there, a steward checks you in. There were a few people in front of me but it didn’t take too long.
As I had added an evening meal to my booking (+£10) the very friendly steward mentioned that my table had been reserved and I could go to the lounge whenever I was ready. Because this train was busier, you share a table with another traveller, which works really well. Because on the sleeper train, everyone is ready to talk!
The cabin was prepared.
You can opt for standard class, which means the possibility of sharing with someone of the same sex. That’s not for me, so paid a little extra for First Class, which gives you single occupancy and yay! Free breakfast! And access to the lounge car.
The cain was prepared:
The amenity kit includes a face cloth, eye mask, socks, ear plugs, soap, body lotion, sleep spray and guide to a better sleep.
Lots of hanging space
It has to be said that the carriages are showing their age.
It was off to the restaurant car.
Wine Time!
With haggis, neeps and tatties and red onion marmalade.
Then the cheese board
Then a G&T or three.
Oops!
The person I shared my table with was really very interesting and the conversation flowed freely.
However I suddenly found that I was the last person standing. Time for a pic of the lounge car.
I went back to the cabin, and surprisingly, feel asleep quite quickly.
The carriage change at Edinburgh wasn’t as jarring as I found previously and I woke to this view:
Breakfast time.
This also comes with fresh* orange juice. * from concentrate
The further north we travelled the snowier it looked.
And now a dilemma.
I was booked on the 1710hrs flight from Inverness to Kirkwall. But here I was in Inverness, at 8.38hrs, with a 1010hrs flight to Kirkwall – with seats available...
BOOKING INFO
I paid £155 for exclusive use of a cabin - "First Class" and £10 for dinner in the dining car, where a space is reserved for you.
I booked the sleeper directly at www.sleeper.scot - anecdotal evidence is that this is the best place to book - while you can book at UK railway stations, the trainline etc. - you may not be contacted if there is any known disruption, such as the closure of the West Coast line in February... only www.sleeper.scot retains your contact details.
Last edited by Sealink on 06 Jun 2016, 22:09, edited 1 time in total.
