On Wednesday evening we set off to catch the train into Edinburgh, Darren came to carry the case and see us off. Saw this old train while we were waiting.
We were in good time to get to the sleeper train, boarding started at 10.30pm but it wasn’t leaving until 11.45pm.
The cabin was compact!
The en suite was different, you lifted the seat for the loo, but sat on it to shower, also very compact!
We had a drink in the dining car before going to bed. Tina slept on the top bunk.
Neither of us slept to well, it seemed quite bumpy and noisy, but it was an experience. We had to be up early as our breakfast slot was 6.30am. It was a very good breakfast, and afterwards we could go to the Caledonian lounge and have another drink and relax before getting across London to Wimbledon. No rush as the gates didn’t open until ten. You don’t have to buy tickets on the underground now, just tap your debit card at the start, we had to change twice and the tap again as you arrived at your destination. We had been advised to get off at Southfields where there are waiting taxis who take several people to Wimbledon for £3.50 each. Then a bit of a walk to the gate. Then, we were there!
It was very hot but we did walk around a bit.
I tried to see into court 18 where an English lad was playing, and won, but it was hot and crowded.
As we wer wandering away a man asked to move as the Princess of Wales was coming through, we caufpght a glimpse but people rushed in, Tina tried to take a pic as she is taller, nut you can only see the top of her head and the blue of her outfit! We did see her though.
Tina had ordered us a picnic lunch and while she queued to collect it I took a photo of this water feature.
The picnic lunch was delicious and came in a fab cool bag ruck sack. We ate it in a couple of sittings, managing to find benches in the shade.
Did get a picture of Henman Hill.
The time to get into Court one.
We were up high, which was good as we weren’t in the sun at all. I took some photos during the matches we saw. Just as they were starting as we were enjoying watching. The noise when the British lass was playing nearly lifted the roof!
I have the completion book, it is interesting the it had the date for that day and the order of the play. Obviously they print individual daily issues. I also bought a cap. Did get Tina a furry tennis ball , will add a photo of that tomorrow.
We were getting tired so we set off for the journey home. Tina suggested we would get a taxi back to Euston, we shared with two couples who wanted to go to different places in the city centre. One of the couples were from New Zealand who had had a personal hospitality day which cost them £3.500! When we go to Euston there had been a problem with the earlier sleeper train, so we could not go into the Caledonian lounge as we had hoped as people from the earlier trim were in there. But in the end our train left pretty much on time and we slept a little better than the night before as we were exhausted! We picked up a menu, as a souvenir even though we had only had two breakfasts and I had to have the silly train.there is a story to that but that will be my secret!
We had our breakfast delivered to the room this morning and were going to eat it in the Caledonian lounge in Edinburgh but we couldn’t find it, but luckily the LNER first class lounge let us eat in pt in there! Then the train back to Birnam and Darren met us there at about 10.20 and carried the case back for us. As usual u can imagine it has been a fairly restful day today. We are very tired but are so happy that we went, it was a relaxing whirlwind experience.
Well that was epic! You did a lot and some great pics too. I love the one of Tina in your sleeper on the way there. It’s brilliant. You should print it and hang it 😊
ReplyDeleteSuch an experience going on the sleeper. I can’t say I’m surprised you didn’t sleep, as I don’t think I would either. So different to your normal nights sleep. I bet you were knackered and ready for bed though as leaving at 11.45 was way past your bedtime. The cabin does look a little small, but it has everything you need I suppose. I’ve never been in a shower where you have to sit down though. I had a feeling Tina would get the short straw and the top bunk 😊 Your trip across London sounded pretty straightforward too. The only trouble was you had to do it all over again at the end of the day!
You had some beautiful weather for your day out. Which made it even better. Rain would have really spoiled it. Who took the photo of the two of you together in Wimbledon? Lucky they didn’t run off with your phone 😂
I really envy you seeing the Princess of Wales. I would have loved to have seen her. I’ll just have to make do with her hair for now 😊
A picnic lunch. You had all the trimmings to go with this special day out. The menu sounds delicious, and I’m guessing it was as good as it sounded. Glad you got the famous strawberries and cream while you were there. Did the British lass win her game? Good to hear that she got lots of encouragement anyway. I hope you two were cheering too.
You should get some use out of the hat. You’ll look posh walking round the village in a Wimbledon cap 😊
A secret story for a silly train. Very intriguing 🤔
Breakfast in the LNER first class lounge is a good way to end the first leg of your train journey, and Darren waiting at the end of your second leg is a good way to end that.
Well, the next trip out you have is going to have to be a good one to top all that!
I hope you both sleep well tonight.
It was a lot to do in a short time but if was worth coming home shattered. Not itching to go again but so pleased I have been and got a feel for the place and to experience t being crowd and feeling the atmosphere, it somehow makes watching it on the tv now seem more real!
ReplyDeleteThe way the sleepers are designed and the organisation of it all was impressive and the staff were delightful, so that part of it was good as well.
No, the English girl didn’t win, but played well and had the crowd behind her. You had to feel a bit sorry for her opponent, but not sorry enough to want her to win🤣.
The strawberries and cream were a bit of a let down. I had visualised pretty bowls and fancy table clothes, they were actually in a take a takeaway box and a pot of runny cream!